About GippsDairy

GippsDairy is one of eight Regional Development Programs (RDPs) that are spread throughout the nation’s key dairy areas and operates under the auspices of Dairy Australia. GippsDairy receives core funding from Dairy Australia which is used in collaborative projects or solely funded projects.

At a Glance

GippsDairy

  • is an incorporated association with its own Statement of Rules and Purposes
  • is governed by a board of 10 director positions
  • was formed in 1996 by the dairy industry
  • operates from a regional office in Gippsland located in Warragul
  • services around 1,699 dairy farmers from the eastern edge of Melbourne to the east coast of Victoria

Cow in paddock.

 

Our story so far

Historically, the business has been run by part time staff, moving to the appointment of a full time Executive Officer in 2006 supported by a part time Admin Officer. GippsDairy’s core business of projects has since expanded necessitating the appointment of a part time Project Director in July 2008 and a full time Executive Assistant in April 2009.

 

The role of GippsDairy

Gippsland dairy farmer.GippsDairy sees itself as a ‘regional voice’ to Dairy Australia, and to other organisations with an interest in the regional dairy industry. By identifying factors critical to the future of the local dairy industry and developing and funding projects to address these issues, the Board expects to improve the sustainability of the dairy industry in the region. The region covered by GippsDairy is from Whittlesea to Cann River, which involves around 1,699 dairy farms.

 

Strategic Direction

To enhance dairying in Gippsland by facilitating the development of a sustainable, vigorous, exciting, world competitive dairy industry in Gippsland that provides economic and social rewards to the dairy industry and our wider community.

GippsDairy seeks to do this by:

  • Talking with farmers to identify needs in their business, and filling these with projects, often in collaboration with other organisations.
  • Working with regional stakeholders to identify and evaluate areas where research, development and extension may assist in the competitiveness of sustainability of dairying in the region.
  • Ensuring responsible and timely use is made of the Dairy Services Levies paid by Gippsland dairy farmers and where possible using these funds to lever additional monies that can then add further value to current and planned research projects.
  • Participating in national priority setting and strategic planning of farm RD&E and education.
  • Identifying and facilitating regional projects and relationships providing benefit for the local dairy industry: RD&E, education, human resources and other areas.
  • Building local community awareness and ownership of RD&E and education.
  • Facilitating communication between the Gippsland dairy farmers and the dairy research, extension, and education community.
  • Advocating best practice in animal welfare, environmental management, and business management in the interests of the long-term sustainability of the Gippsland dairy sector.
  • Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of all of the above.
     

The Board has a rolling 5-year Strategic Plan that is updated annually. The content of that document was largely determined by consultation with regional dairy farmers, as well as numerous service providers at our Priority Advisory Group meetings. The document has been well used by groups who have appreciated the identification of issues affecting Gippsland dairy farmers.

 

Funding

Gippsland cows feeding.The operating budget for GippsDairy is funded by Dairy Australia. Dairy Australia also allocates the region with funds for research and extension projects that match with regional priorities. As often as possible, GippsDairy seeks resources for projects from other organisations to add value to Dairy Australia’s contribution.In the financial year of 2007/09, the value contributed by these additional sources meant there was a leverage of $6 to every dollar from Dairy Australia.

As projects are developed in response to issues listed in GippsDairy’s Strategic Plan, applications for funding are lodged with appropriate funding bodies – for example the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Sustainability Victoria, Dairy Australia, and the Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation.

 

Our structure

GippsDairy reports to Dairy Australia and communicates as per a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria. In additions, representatives of GippsDairy attend UDV District Council meetings (DC 5, 6 & 7) each year.

GippsDairy Board Inc is managed by a board, an executive officer, a part time project director and a full-time executive assistant.