Board Members & Project Staff

Our Sponsors

2009/10 DemoDAIRY Board of Management

The Board’s primary role is to establish direction, monitor the performance of managers and oversee the financial accountability of DemoDAIRY on behalf of the stakeholders.
The Board consists of seven members, three non-farmer and four farmer, who serve two-year terms and have the opportunity to be re-elected.
All Board members are volunteers and are shareholders of DemoDAIRY.
Shareholders have the opportunity to put questions to the monthly Board meetings which are held at the DemoDAIRY site.

	Tim Bligh, Chairperson Tim currently manages Warrnambool Pest Control and helps manage the family farm at Hawkesdale. Tim previously worked as an agribusiness banker and also as a Rural Financial Counselor. Tim is also the Chairman of the Basalt to Bay Landcare network and has been on the DemoDAIRY Board since 2003.
	Michael Spitse, Vice Chairperson Michael joined the Board in October 2006 and has been in dairy farming since a young age. Michael holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Dairy Farming) and he and his wife operate an irrigated 750 cow dairy farm in Nullawarre. Michael has had a great interest in dairy farming for many years and has experience in dairying both in Holland and Australia. Michael has been named as a 2008 regional finalist for the NAB Agribusiness Dairy Business of the Year Award.
	Andrew Allsop Andrew has worked in the seed industry for 24 years across a number of different regions in Australia. Andrew is keen to see improved productivity from pasture based grazing systems and for DemoDAIRY to continue to host this type of research. Andrew is currently the secretary for the Toolong/Koroit discussion group and treasurer for the Port Campbell discussion group and is studying for a Diploma in Agriculture (Agronomy) at Glenormiston.
	Edward Conheady Edward currently operates dairy farms at Noorat and Garvoc and manages a combined herd of about 1500 cows. Edward has been farming since left school and has experience in running a large dairy farm business and has many skills in dairy management. Edward is also involved in community activities as president of Noorat Agricultural and Pastoral Society and as an Ambassador for the Down the Track Dairy industry review.
	Bryan Dickson Bryan has been a Board Member since 2006. Bryan operates a successful 650 cow dairy farm 5km south of DemoDAIRY. Bryan completed a Farm Apprenticeship and has been involved in dairy industry for the past 21 years, originally on the family farm at Bacchus Marsh then shifting to Terang in 1989. Bryan has been involved in discussion groups, Target 10 and Taking Stock - Walking Through the Seasons.
	Richard Gloyne Richard is a director of DrainTech Pty Ltd, a land drainage business based in Timboon. Richard is secretary of the Timboon Action Group and president of Heytesbury District Landcare Network. Richard has been on the Board since 2003.
	Des McKinnon Des has been in the dairy farming business for 38 years. Des was a member of the Board of Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory where he was chairman for six of the 18 years he spent on the Board. The McKinnon family is milking 800 cows in a newly constructed 100 unit rotary dairy at Occupation Lane, Garvoc. Des has always been active in the dairy industry including being the secretary of Panmure Branch UDV and being a participant in Target 10 and related courses.

PROJECT STAFF

Martin Ellul, Business Manager

Martin joined DemoDAIRY as Business Manager in 2010. He has held senior management positions over the past 15 years, working locally for the past decade. Heholds a Degree in Business Administration, a Certificate in Front Line Management, and is inb the final stages of a Masters of Business Adminstration. Martin has extensive experience in project, people and relationship management and recognised the unique service DemoDAIRY offers to the dairying community.

Kym Mathew, Farm Manager

Kym has been DemoDAIRY Farm Manager since 2006 and oversees the day-to-day running of the commercial dairy and related activities. Kym also liaises with researchers and contractors who access the site and supervises the team of up to five farm employees to ensure the farm is a viable place for research, demonstration and extension activities. Prior to his work at DemoDAIRY Kym was a share farmer, a dairy industry consultant and part-time lecturer at Mt Barker TAFE in South Australia. He is currently a member of the South West Regional Extension Committee and assists the development of students to forge careers in the dairy industry.

Louise Sheba, Project Manager

Louise started full-time with DemoDAIRY in August 2005 as Business Development Manager. During this time Louise has established important infrastructure, developed projects and increased tenancy of the precinct. In 2010 Louise moved to a part-time position as Project Manager. This role involves development and management of projects, liasing with investors and contractors, report writing and promotion of project activities to visitors at DemoDAIRY. Her other role is Dairying For Tomorrow Regional Co-ordinator with Dairy Australia. Louise has a Degree in Environmental Science, an Advanced Diploma in Agricultureand a Diploma in Human Resources.

Marni Barber, Project Officer

Marni has been the part-time DemoDAIRY project officer since 2009. Her role includes helping to source funding for projects and then seeing them to fruitition. Marni coordinates volunteer programs at DemoDAIRY, is the delegated OH&S officer, and assists farm staff, administration staff and visitors to operate in a safe manner. Marni has a Degree in Environmental Science (Marine and Freshwater Science) and an Advanced Certificate and Associate Diploma in Natural Resource Management.