This year’s meeting is being held in conjunction with the University of Sydney’s Dairy Research Foundation Symposium.
The AGM provides an opportunity to hear more on Dairy Australia’s investments, focus on improving farm profitability and productivity while ensuring a sustainable industry, and to vote on important items of business.
Farmers who are members of Dairy Australia, will receive a formal notice of meeting by mail in late October. This notice will outline the key items of business to be voted on, including a resolution to remove the Australian Dairy Products Federation (ADPF) as a Group B member.
This resolution has been proposed by Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF), the other Group B member, on the basis that ADPF and processor financial contributions to Dairy Australia remain significantly lower than those made by farmers.
“Over the past year, Dairy Australia has held extensive discussions with ADPF and processors regarding investment in Dairy Australia services,” Dairy Australia chairman Paul Roderick said.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t received a funding commitment that we could comfortably call co-investment and does not reflect the value Dairy Australia provides across the supply chain.”
Mr Roderick emphasised that this is a decision solely for farmers.
“The Dairy Australia board will not adopt a collective position on this resolution. Voting will be left entirely to dairy farmers, as the primary funders of Dairy Australia.”
A special resolution has been proposed by the Dairy Australia board to amend the constitution regarding the Board Selection Committee.
“These changes aim to modernise the way directors are selected by strengthening farmer representation on the committee, increasing independence and diversity, simplifying the nomination process, and ensuring no single group can dominate appointments.
“The board is recommending farmers vote in favour of this resolution,” Mr Roderick said.
Director elections
Three candidates are standing for election to the Dairy Australia Board.
Kären Moroney, from the Mitta Valley, is standing for re-election, lawyer Andrew Maughan is also standing for re-election, and Steve Jefferies is a new candidate.
Mr Maughan grew up on a family farm in the Goulburn Valley. He is managing director of corporate advisory and investment firm Somerset Capital and serves as chair of AgLink Australia, AGnVET Services and Langdon Group. He has previously been chair of The Pastoral Pork Company and a director of Gardiner Dairy Foundation, Pork CRC, Beischer Medical Research Foundation and Mt Hotham Alpine Resort
Online voting will open on October 27. For more information on the AGM and to register attendance visit dairyaustralia.com.au/agm
