DairyTas Board
The DairyTas Board encourages the development of a Tasmanian dairy industry that is sustainable, vigorous and dynamic, offering economic and social rewards to dairy farmers and the wider community.
The DairyTas Board of nine directors is made up of:
- Six directors who are dairy farmers
- One industry representative
- One Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) representative
- One Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) representative
The Board is responsible for achieving the objectives of DairyTas as set out in the Constitution. More specifically, the Board’s responsibilities are:
- Review and approve the strategic direction and financial objectives of DairyTas
- Provide input and approve strategies, budgets, plans and polices and assess performance against strategies
- Review and monitor processes and controls to maintain the integrity of accounting and financial records
- Reporting and approving financial results and reports
- Appoint the Executive Officer, monitor and review his/her performance and oversee succession planning
- Review remuneration paid to the Executive Officer and staff to ensure consistency with responsibilities, performance and market rates
- Ensure risks are assessed and that strategies are in place to manage them
- Ensure there is effective corporate governance structure and monitoring of performance to ensure high standards of compliance, corporate behaviour and social responsibility
- Open and transparent accountability to all stakeholders, particularly regional farmers, state farmer organisations and Dairy Australia
Find out about the DairyTas Staff & Contractors.
Angelique has been farming with her husband Isaac in Forest since 2008, running a 300-head autumn-calving Holstein Friesian herd. She is a qualified veterinarian and has worked in private practice's in the United Kingdom, Circular Head and currently Burnie.
Angelique is involved in her local discussion groups and is also a key driving member of the Prodairy group in Circular Head who are working towards building a positive image in the dairy industry through promotion and education.
Angelique became a board member to give back to the industry that has provided her with many opportunities in both career and lifestyle and to make a positive contribution to the future direction of dairy farming in Tasmania.
Angelique is very passionate about educating the younger generations on the career pathways and financial successes the industry can offer and ensuring that, despite the challenges of farming, dairy farmers have the tools to continue to farm in a sustainable, efficient and profitable way.
Angelique is involved in her local discussion groups and is also a key driving member of the Prodairy group in Circular Head who are working towards building a positive image in the dairy industry through promotion and education.
Angelique became a board member to give back to the industry that has provided her with many opportunities in both career and lifestyle and to make a positive contribution to the future direction of dairy farming in Tasmania.
Angelique is very passionate about educating the younger generations on the career pathways and financial successes the industry can offer and ensuring that, despite the challenges of farming, dairy farmers have the tools to continue to farm in a sustainable, efficient and profitable way.
David Risbey-Pearn
Deputy Chair
After completing a national Diploma in Agriculture in the UK, farming across all fields, then travelling the world, David immigrated to Australia to build a career in the dairy industry.
He has sharefarmed in south Gippsland in Victoria and owned and operated a dairy farm on the Atherton Tablelands in far-north Queensland. In addition to this, he has spent 10 years working in various aspects of the stockfeed industry both as a Territory Manager and Ruminant Nutritionist.
In 2014, David and his family moved to Tasmania, he managed the Agrilac Dairy in Waterhouse, north-east Tasmania for 5 years and now sharefarms 850 cows at Rushy Lagoon. He has had a very rewarding career in the dairy industry and joining the DairyTas board will give him the opportunity to draw on that experience and give a little back to this exciting and diverse industry.
He has sharefarmed in south Gippsland in Victoria and owned and operated a dairy farm on the Atherton Tablelands in far-north Queensland. In addition to this, he has spent 10 years working in various aspects of the stockfeed industry both as a Territory Manager and Ruminant Nutritionist.
In 2014, David and his family moved to Tasmania, he managed the Agrilac Dairy in Waterhouse, north-east Tasmania for 5 years and now sharefarms 850 cows at Rushy Lagoon. He has had a very rewarding career in the dairy industry and joining the DairyTas board will give him the opportunity to draw on that experience and give a little back to this exciting and diverse industry.
Simon Elphinstone
Dairy Farmer
Simon has been on the DairyTas Board since November 2015 which has included time spent as Chair. Over the last five years, Simon has been the Managing Director of Flowerdale Valley Dairies which has undertaken a dairy conversion that included the implementation of an automatic milking system. The business has rapidly expanded and now operates two dairy farms.
Prior to being directly involved in dairy farming, Simon had a number of key roles at the Fonterra Wynyard site which included Site Manager, Plant Manager, Production Manager and Quality Manager over a 15-year period. Throughout this time he also completed a number of formal training opportunities that included a Diploma of Business through the Australian Institute of Management in 2005 and a Diploma of Food Technology (Dairy) through the University of Melbourne in 2004.
Simon also sits on the Yolla Producers Co-Operative board and brings broad industry experience, proven results and demonstrated leadership skills. He remains passionate about the long term sustainability of the Tasmanian dairy industry.
Prior to being directly involved in dairy farming, Simon had a number of key roles at the Fonterra Wynyard site which included Site Manager, Plant Manager, Production Manager and Quality Manager over a 15-year period. Throughout this time he also completed a number of formal training opportunities that included a Diploma of Business through the Australian Institute of Management in 2005 and a Diploma of Food Technology (Dairy) through the University of Melbourne in 2004.
Simon also sits on the Yolla Producers Co-Operative board and brings broad industry experience, proven results and demonstrated leadership skills. He remains passionate about the long term sustainability of the Tasmanian dairy industry.
James Hills
TIA representative
Dr James Hills is a Senior Research Fellow and the Livestock Production Centre Leader at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture. He currently leads a team of researchers focusing on research in the areas of feedbase, animal nutrition and precision agriculture and new technologies relevant to temperate pasture-based dairy systems.
He has a particular interest in variability in farming systems and the use of technology for measuring and managing this variability to improve the efficiency and sustainability of production.
He has a particular interest in variability in farming systems and the use of technology for measuring and managing this variability to improve the efficiency and sustainability of production.
Andrew Lester
TFGA Representative
Andrew is a third-generation dairy farmer from Herrick, north-east Tasmania. As a member of the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association’s (TFGA) Dairy Council, Andrew is a strong advocate for creating long-term sustainable farming enterprises for younger generations.
Operating the dairy farm with his wife Angela and their two children, the Lesters milk 450 cows and have recently invested in irrigation water as a value-adding asset to secure the long-term viability of their farm. Andrew is also a member of the Winnaleah Irrigation Scheme Board.
As Chair of TFGA’s Animal Health and Welfare Action Group and a member of Australian Dairy Farmers’ Animal Health and Welfare Policy Advisory Group, Andrew is passionate about highlighting the importance of good animal husbandry – not only in dairy, but across all farming environments.
Operating the dairy farm with his wife Angela and their two children, the Lesters milk 450 cows and have recently invested in irrigation water as a value-adding asset to secure the long-term viability of their farm. Andrew is also a member of the Winnaleah Irrigation Scheme Board.
As Chair of TFGA’s Animal Health and Welfare Action Group and a member of Australian Dairy Farmers’ Animal Health and Welfare Policy Advisory Group, Andrew is passionate about highlighting the importance of good animal husbandry – not only in dairy, but across all farming environments.
Josh Taylor
Industry representative
Josh joined the DairyTas board in November 2017. Josh operates from the north-west coast as a contract Chief Financial Officer (CFO), with 20 years’ experience as a Certified Practicing Accountant, both in Australia and internationally. Josh is a director of Circular Head Farms, a community-based managed investment scheme which owns and operates five dairy farms in Circular Head, along with significant support land holdings.
Josh is Company Secretary for The Van Diemen’s Land Company and was the CFO while the Company operated Australia’s largest dairy farming business until March 2016. Josh also has CFO experience ranging from transport and logistics with Spirit of Tasmania and aquaculture with Petuna Aquaculture.
Josh was formerly the accountant for National Foods (now Lion Drinks and Dairy) across the state’s cheese manufacturing plants and has also worked with Saputo Dairy Australia. Josh’s exposure to the dairy industry has been lifelong, with extended family operating dairy farms both in Tasmania and Victoria.
Josh is Company Secretary for The Van Diemen’s Land Company and was the CFO while the Company operated Australia’s largest dairy farming business until March 2016. Josh also has CFO experience ranging from transport and logistics with Spirit of Tasmania and aquaculture with Petuna Aquaculture.
Josh was formerly the accountant for National Foods (now Lion Drinks and Dairy) across the state’s cheese manufacturing plants and has also worked with Saputo Dairy Australia. Josh’s exposure to the dairy industry has been lifelong, with extended family operating dairy farms both in Tasmania and Victoria.
Richard Duniam
Dairy Farmer
Richard has a lifetime of experience farming in north-west Tasmania, having grown up on the family farm that he and his wife Melissa now operate at Sisters Creek.
After sharefarming for a few years with Melissa, they purchased their first farm in 2004 and have steadily grown the business from there. They currently operate four dairy farms and associated dairy support blocks with a mixed team of sharemilkers and managers. The Duniams have chosen to grow the business with an equity partner with Richard overseeing the operations. Richard is a board member of the two shareholding entities which own the business assets.
Richard is very passionate about the dairy industry and the people within it. He enjoys training and developing people to grow in the dairy industry and sees the younger generation as the farmers of the future. He also feels that despite being quite challenging at times, the industry is vibrant with a strong and profitable future.
After sharefarming for a few years with Melissa, they purchased their first farm in 2004 and have steadily grown the business from there. They currently operate four dairy farms and associated dairy support blocks with a mixed team of sharemilkers and managers. The Duniams have chosen to grow the business with an equity partner with Richard overseeing the operations. Richard is a board member of the two shareholding entities which own the business assets.
Richard is very passionate about the dairy industry and the people within it. He enjoys training and developing people to grow in the dairy industry and sees the younger generation as the farmers of the future. He also feels that despite being quite challenging at times, the industry is vibrant with a strong and profitable future.
Kristy Evans
Dairy Farmer
Kristy and her partner sharefarm on a split calving 500-cow dairy at South Riana. They have been given a fantastic opportunity to progress in the dairy industry which they are both very passionate about.
Kristy works as a Nutritionist for Rex James Stockfeed. She trained as a Ruminant Nutritionist in Gippsland working for a stock feed mill offering on-farm technical services.
Kristy previously worked for Fonterra Australia in various roles, including as the Regional Manager for milk supply. This gave Kristy knowledge in a range of production systems from an on-farm and business perspective and also in the corporate sector.
Kristy is excited to be on the DairyTas board and use her experience and knowledge to represent Tasmanian dairy farmers and promote the industry.
Kristy works as a Nutritionist for Rex James Stockfeed. She trained as a Ruminant Nutritionist in Gippsland working for a stock feed mill offering on-farm technical services.
Kristy previously worked for Fonterra Australia in various roles, including as the Regional Manager for milk supply. This gave Kristy knowledge in a range of production systems from an on-farm and business perspective and also in the corporate sector.
Kristy is excited to be on the DairyTas board and use her experience and knowledge to represent Tasmanian dairy farmers and promote the industry.
Kate Gofton
Dairy Farmer
Kate joined the Dairy Tas board in October 2020.
Kate and her husband Rodney own and manage Riverdale Dairies near Scottsdale. Their two properties span an area of 600ha, with a herd of 600 milking cows. They currently contract their milk supply to Lactalis Australia, who transport their milk to the Tamar Valley Yogurt factory in Launceston.
Kate is a fully qualified accountant and is a current member of CPA Australia. Kate’s motivation to join the board is to learn more about the Tasmanian Dairy Industry. She has a particular interest in the promotion of safe farm practices and highlighting the successes of dairy industry in general.
Kate and her husband Rodney own and manage Riverdale Dairies near Scottsdale. Their two properties span an area of 600ha, with a herd of 600 milking cows. They currently contract their milk supply to Lactalis Australia, who transport their milk to the Tamar Valley Yogurt factory in Launceston.
Kate is a fully qualified accountant and is a current member of CPA Australia. Kate’s motivation to join the board is to learn more about the Tasmanian Dairy Industry. She has a particular interest in the promotion of safe farm practices and highlighting the successes of dairy industry in general.