Gippsdairy Team

Allan wants farmers to get value for their dairy service levy dollar.

Allan has an agricultural science degree from Melbourne University as well as graduate diplomas in applied finance and financial planning.

With his strong financial background, Allan is keen to use GippsDairy's resources to further improve the financial literacy of dairy farmers, while also helping to improve their capacity to grow grass and produce milk.

Sallie has a strong and diverse background in administration and is comfortable working across a wide range of activities. This includes everything from event and meeting organisation, board support, report writing and providing full admin assistance to the Regional Manager/Executive Officer.

Karen is responsible for the delivery of GippsDairy's portfolio of projects to the Gippsland dairy industry and engaging with industry stakeholders to develop new projects. She is also responsible for the planning and delivery of industry events that address regional needs and showcase the dairy industry to current and future farmers.

Donna has previously worked with Agriculture Victoria as a technical officer in dairy soils and nutrient research and as a milk supply officer for milk processors.

Donna's role at GippsDairy is across all extension activities, with an emphasis on animal performance.

As GippsDairy's Dairy Workforce Coordinator, Leah knows first-hand how valuable her job can be.

During almost 20 years as a Westbury dairy farmer, Leah sometimes struggled to navigate her way through the farm employment maze. In hindsight, having a specialist Dairy Workforce Coordinator would have made her farm employment processes far less time consuming and stressful.

Leah believes her dairy experience, including share farming, leasing and hiring employees for a 400-cow farm, will help her assist farmers in developing up-to-date employment practices.

Katherine assists the GippsDairy Extension Officers with their preparation and coordination of events. She is responsible for database management and various aspects of office administration.

Katherine’s background in business development, client service and event management is complimentary to this role.

Sarah Cornell has seen the dairy industry from multiple viewpoints.

Sarah looks after workforce development and farm safety, while also coordinating the Gippsland Young Dairy Network.

In her role as YDN coordinator, Sarah wants to keep the program active and growing, to enable members to access more extension activities and help them reach their career goals.

Libby has a background in animal health, business management and training. In managing GippsDairy's Women in Dairy discussion groups, Libby is looking to build on the strong existing networks — whether that is connecting women on farms socially to discuss work-life balance or mental health or doing a farm walk to look at pastures and different systems.

Ashley enjoys extending existing research to farmers and drawing on the collaborative knowledge across agricultural sectors.

Ashley has previously worked in beef, dairy and horticultural industries as an agronomist and utilises her knowledge to improve dairy farm performance in Gippsland. Ashley works in the Land, Water and Climate area.