GippsDairy Young Dairy Network
What is the Gippsland Young Dairy Network?
For young people involved in the dairy industry across Gippsland, the Young Dairy Network (YDN) provides an opportunity to meet, connect and learn from peers within the industry.
This is not limited to just farm employees. Any young person (18 – 40 years old) working or studying in the dairy industry is welcome. That includes service providers, factory workers, TAFE and Uni students, farm employees, managers, farm owners, casual staff - the list goes on.
Each region of Gippsland (West, South and East) provides support and organised activities designed to back you in your career in the dairy industry. This is achieved by connecting farmers, service providers and students at events to expand their dairy knowledge and skills, improve the information flow to young people, and provide leadership opportunities. This allows individuals to develop skills in both the technical and non-technical aspects of the dairy industry and create valuable connections going forth in their career.
You can participate in any of the YDN activities in your region including:
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An annual study tour: Don Campbell Memorial Tour
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Regional tours
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On-farm workshops
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Social events
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Networking
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Professional and personal development opportunities
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Skills in leadership and organisation
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Career pathway guidance
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Opportunities for support to attend national dairy industry events
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Guest speakers
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Seminars
We also encourage you to give us any event ideas you may have.
Local Area Committees
Each region is run by a committee of Young Dairy Network participants, ensuring that what is on offer is relevant to you. This also gives members an insight into another the world of business: agendas, the opportunity to chair meetings, event planning & organisation. And is a great steppingstone in leadership roles including being an employer. Any YDN member can attend these meetings. Simply get in touch with the YDN Coordinator or check out the GippsDairy calendar for the next meeting.
How to join
Being a part of the YDN is free and new members are always welcome. Contact the GippsDairy office on 03 5624 3900 or info@gippsdairy.com.au for more information.
Don Campbell Memorial Tour
The Don Campbell Memorial Tour is run annually by the GippsDairy Young Dairy Network. This is a 6 day tour of the northern Tasmanian dairy industry and gives participants valuable experiences for networking, personal & professional development and wider industry knowledge. For more information, head to the Don Campbell Memorial Tour website.
Other tour opportunities
UDV Gardiner Study Tour - Each year the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria and Gardiner Dairy Foundation take 8 young dairy professionals on an international study tour to New Zealand. To find out more about this opportunity, please visit the Gardiner website.
Scholarships, mentoring, leadership programs
There are many opportunities for a helping hand when it comes to furthering your knowledge. Take a look through the following scholarships and programs for you next learning endeavour.
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Scholarships |
Details |
Amount $ |
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Partner with Marcus Oldham College
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$50,000 |
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Partner with Marcus Oldham College
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$20,000 |
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Partnered with Longerenong College |
$4,250 |
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A bursary of $5000 per year for the final two years of your university degree |
$10,000 |
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The program aims to assist outstanding but disadvantaged students from rural or regional areas, who have been offered a full-time place at an Australian university, college or TAFE for the first time |
$5,000 |
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Must be a Saputo supplier |
$5,000 |
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The Upskill and Invest – Young Farmers Scholarship Program (AgVic) |
Young Farmers Scholarship Program provides young farmers and/or young farm workers up to $5,000 towards training or study (Upskill), and up to $5,000 extra funding to invest on-farm or in professional development (Invest), to put new skills into practice. Each year, 12-14 scholarships are awarded to young farmers aged 35 or younger |
$10,000 |
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The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust is a charity organisation whose aim is to bring positive change to agriculture through the development of its future leaders, sending them overseas to learn from others and helping them share their brilliant ideas when they return home. |
$30,000 |
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Melbourne University. This scholarship could assist a student undertaking agricultural studies at Dookie Campus in their second or third year of the Bachelor of Agriculture. |
$2,500 |
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The BBM Scholarship is your opportunity to follow your passion, explore the possibilities and create the career you love while creating true impact for sustainability. |
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Partnered with Melbourne University |
$15,000 |
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Refer to individual scholarships |
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Mentoring & Leadership |
Details |
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The Young Farmer and New Entrant Mentoring Program provides young farmers and new entrants the opportunity to be a paired with an experienced farmer or ‘mentor’ to assist them in:
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A suite of personal and professional development opportunities designed to equip people working in or with rural, regional and remote communities with skills to lead their communities into the future. Each program takes an innovative approach to building transformational leadership skills through collaborative learning and mentoring. |
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The Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program (DiALP) mentoring opportunity is designed for aspiring female leaders, 25 years and over, with a passion for agriculture. |
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The selected Fellows will be supported by an industry mentor to refine their project concept, and gain the opportunity to share their findings at key industry leadership events. |
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Designed to assist individuals to develop their leadership capacity and prepare them to transition into leadership roles. |
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This program is designed to connect you with prominent community and industry leaders to maximise your learning experience. Flyer |
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Rabobank:
Applications open February 2022 |
Are you an experienced business owner or senior manager? Our Executive Development Program will help you build strategic planning capabilities and commercial management skills to explore options for business growth.
Are you an up-and-coming farmer ready to take over the family farm or manage a commercial farm? Our Farm Managers Program will help you to hone your management skills. You’ll leave this week-long program with greater confidence in your leadership skills. You’ll also be equipped with the ability to influence business decisions, and build your own network of young, progressive and passionate farmers. |
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Youthrive Victoria:
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The Young Rural Leaders Program is a unique six-day residential program designed for and by young rural Victorians. It aims to build on existing leadership skills, and build a network of young leaders in rural and regional Victoria.
We have four different types of mentoring: Transition mentor – a mentor who can help you with managing your first year at university Career mentor – a mentor who can help with your career goals for any year after school Vocational mentor – a mentor who can help with TAFE/vocational courses or apprenticeships Community mentor – a mentor who can help with community connections and leadership skills
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Contacts
Keep up to date with events and topical information via our socials. Search for YDN Gippsland on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ydngippsland
Share experiences and ask questions of your peers by joining the YDN Facebook group: Young Dairy Network Gippsland. https://www.facebook.com/ydngippsland/groups
Got a question or want to know more? Get in touch with the Gippsland Young Dairy Network Coordinator Katherine Byrne by email: katherinebyrne@gippsdairy.com.au mobile: 0409487275 Or pop into the office at 6 Endeavour St, Warragul. Ph: 03 5624 3900
Did you know there is a fortnightly Enewsletter for Gippland dairy folk? Get your subscription HERE! https://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/gippsdairy/subscription
Want a little more reading material? Signup to our newsletter ‘How Now Gippy Cow’ by contacting the office on 03 5624 3900.
Other useful links
Women In Dairy – A discussion group tailored to women in the industry. For more information visit the WID webpage
Discussion groups - International research shows that farmers who connect in a discussion group have added success. Why not take your experience to the next level by joining a local group in your region or of interest. Click HERE to see what groups are on offer or suggest a new group to be formed.
Programs – Dairy Australia’s research and development has created some great learning programs delivered by GippsDairy. To upskill on any topic on the dairy business, please check out our programs page.
Gardiner Foundation - Gardiner Dairy Foundation was created as part of deregulation of the dairy industry. It supports key industry projects investing in people and practices to support the development of a vibrant dairy industry. Find out more about the projects they invest in.