WestVic Dairy Team

Amanda’s administration role includes organising event catering, taking RSVPs and making sure everything runs smoothly within the organisation. Amanda is known for her friendly voice answering the phone and is always happy to help.

Born and raised at Terang, Amanda started with WestVic Dairy in 2010 with a background in educational administration over many years at Glenormiston College and in small business.

In her earlier years Amanda competed in equestrian events and now has a keen interest in car racing, enjoying the speedway with her family.

Working days: Monday - Friday

Emma’s role largely involves project administration and financial management of the regional office, working closely with many of our suppliers. Additionally, Emma provides governance support to the Executive Officer and the WestVic Dairy Board.

Emma comes from a teaching and business background, most recently in Insurance. Emma and her family live on a non-dairy farm near Camperdown and enjoy life in the south-west after moving from the Geelong area in early 2023.

Working days: Monday - Wednesday

Libby leads the extension team, coordinating the delivery of the extension activities in all our service areas across the region. She is also an Advisor for climate, environment, soils and water.

Libby has a Bachelor of Applied Science with a major in Natural Resource Management and has been at WestVic Dairy for the past 11 years. During this time, she has worked as a Project Coordinator, Administration Coordinator and Extension Advisor.

Outside of work, Libby runs a dairy and Holstein Stud at Nalangil with her husband Rod. Libby is a member of the Colac City Band, playing flute and enjoys gardening and stitching.

Working days: Monday – Friday

Liza organises our major events, including The Great South-West Dairy Awards. In addition to this Liza supports the delivery of the Our Farm, Our Plan program and coordinates activities for the Young Dairy Network.

Liza holds an Advanced Diploma of Agriculture and a Diploma in Human Resource Management. She has completed the Developing Dairy Leaders and the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Programs. Over her 17 years at WestVic Dairy, Liza has worked on many key projects.

Outside of work, Liza helps milking on the family farm, enjoys spending time with her husband and children and has been a Director of the Australian Dairy Conference for the past ten years.

Working days: Monday - Friday

Pete’s passion is supporting farmers to achieve their business goals. In his role Pete works closely with farmers in the region to understand their needs. He then connects farmers with the people, services and resources that will help them accomplish their aims.

Pete grew up on a dairy farm in Northern Victoria. He studied at the Dookie campus and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) at the University of Melbourne in 2004. Pete worked with farmers for ten years as a Milk Supply Officer in Tasmania, Gippsland and South-west Victoria before joining WestVic Dairy in 2016 as an Extension Advisor specialising in Feedbase and Nutrition.

Outside of work Pete enjoys growing vegetables and being a middle of the pack triathlete.

Working days: Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 3:00pm

Debbie’s role involves development, delivery, and facilitation of activities on and off farm to support dairy farmers in the areas of cow health, fertility and welfare.

Debbie is an experienced cattle veterinarian who has worked in a variety of dairy cattle practices in New Zealand and Australia, since graduating from Massey University in 1996. In 2019 Debbie pivoted from clinical practice to enter the world of extension by taking up the position of Extension Advisor with WestVic Dairy.

Outside of work, Debbie can be found walking river and beach trails of South-west Victoria with her husband Bill and Pete the kelpie.

Working days: Monday - Friday

Matt works as an Extension Advisor – focusing on People. Matt assists farms with workforce legislative compliance and farm safety, along with supporting farmers with strategies to retain and develop their employees. In addition to this Matt is also involved with Discussion Groups and Focus Farm projects.

Matt grew up on the family farm in England before going on to study at Ag College. He then changed paths, working as a paramedic in the UK and Australia. Matt has worked in a variety of roles at WestVic Dairy since joining the team in 2016, including Young Dairy Network Coordinator and in marketing and communications.

Matt, along with fiancé Mel, and three children live close to Camperdown, where they raise beef cattle.

Working days: Monday-Friday

Sam will be coordinating and implementing plans and activities to ensure regional workforce attraction delivery activities lead to successful recruitment on dairy farms. Originally from Young, NSW, she grew up on a cherry orchard and has never lived in the city as she loves country communities and the laid-back feel with everyone pitching in to help a mate in need.

She has worked extensively with people in real estate, mining and the corrections system and now lives on her family dairy farm in Bookaar, breeding Scottish Highland cows as a hobby.She is passionate about the great region we live in and hopes to be able to make a difference, attracting new people to dairy so they too can experience the excitement of the industry.

Working days: Monday - Friday

Sheeraz is West Vic Dairy’s Regional Extension Officer in Farm Business Management, working to deliver innovative, well planned and collaborative regional extension and education activities in the region. He focusses on facilitating maximum practice change to achieve profitability and sustainability improvements on dairy farms. Sheeraz is also passionate about NetZero emissions and has worked as a project coordinator Zero30 Project and strategic research initiatives at the University of New England.

Sheeraz studied dairy extension at the University of New England and then completed his PhD in agribusiness management at the same university. He has worked in a range of research, development and extension roles including Regional Extension Officer with Pakistan Dairy.

Working days: Monday - Friday