Media Release
Thursday 26th June, 2003
QDO President TAKES ON National leadership role
A change in leadership at the helm of Australia’s peak dairy industry body, Australian Dairy Farmers’ (ADF) has seen Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation President Wes Judd elected to the role of ADF Vice President.
Victorian Peter Owen will also serve as a Vice President on the ADF Board, with fellow Victorian Allan Burgess voted in as President of the federal organisation which represents the country’s 14,000 dairy farmers.
Yesterday’s election of office bearers follows the resignation of ADF President and Queensland dairy industry icon Pat Rowley.
QDO President and new ADF Vice President Wes Judd, said Pat Rowley’s tireless and courageous work has made him one of the most respected agricultural leaders in history. “During his 18 years in the top job Pat Rowley has skilfully led the industry through a time of rapid change”.
“Through his outstanding leadership Pat Rowley convinced the industry in the 80’s to work together as one, this united approach across all of industry has lead dairy to the forefront in rural industries. This united approach, with Pat Rowley’s leadership, helped deliver Australia’s largest agricultural restructure package to dairy farmers and enabled dairy farm businesses to prepare for deregulation”.
Mr Judd said while Pat Rowley has stood down as ADF President and from his role with the Australian Dairy Industry Council, he will continue to lead the dairy industry through his new appointment as Chairman of the industry’s new trade, research and promotional company Dairy Australia.
“Federal Agriculture Minister Warren Truss has just announced the inaugural board for Dairy Australia and the list, along with Pat Rowley as chairman, includes Dr Anne Astin, Sarah Crooke, John Doyle, Dr Barry Kitchen, John Massey, Stephen O’Rouke and Max Roberts”.
“It’s a good mix, and will ensure the Board has the necessary business experience and industry knowledge to establish Dairy Australia as a vital new force on the scene”.
Mr Judd said Dairy Australia, when it begins operations on July 1, will be all about finding new ways to boost growth and profitability in the dairy industry through R&D, marketing and trade development.
“This is an exciting time for the dairy industry with the new leadership of ADF supplying renewed vigour to the industry’s lobbying power and with Dairy Australia’s streamlined service delivery coming on line dairy farmers should find it easier to respond quickly to changes in the marketplace”.
Mr Judd said he was honoured to be voted in as ADF Vice President and will continue at both a state and national level to fight for further growth and prosperity in the dairy industry and would continue to encourage all players in the industry to work together.
Contact Details
Wes Judd, QDO President & ADF Vice President, 0407 132 854 or 07 46 648 157
Adrian Peake, QDO CEO, 0408 989 102 or 07 32362955
Sally Nicol, Media Liaison, 07 46 776 215