Council
24 October, 2024
WestVic welcomes new board members
WESTVIC Dairy has announced Pirron Yallock dairy farmer Ulke de Kleine and service provider Bruce Officer as the new board directors.
Mr Officer has been appointed to the position after a year as an associate director.
Jacqui Suares will be retiring after eight years on the board and Mike Huth will resign after six years on the board.
WestVic Dairy chair Brendan Rea said he was thankful for the contributions of Ms Suares and Mr Huth over their time on the board.
“I would like to sincerely thank my fellow directors, Jacqui and Mike, whose valuable insights over many years on the WestVic Dairy Board have ensured the organisation’s governance and strategic direction reflect the needs of farmers in the region,” he said.
“Their diligence in their work and dedication to get the best for dairy farmers in Western Victoria is truly admirable.”
Mr Rea welcomed the knowledge and experience Mr Officer and Mr de Kleine would bring in their new roles.
“The expertise Bruce and Ulke have will strengthen the board’s ability to be responsive to industry challenges and provide the support and resources that farmers need,” he said.
“The board has been fortunate to have Bruce’s contributions as an associate director this past year and are very pleased in his appointment as a specialist director.
“We also welcome the experience and passion Ulke de Kleine will bring to the board.”
Mr de Kleine moved from the Netherlands to Australia in 2010 for the opportunities the dairy industry here provided.
He said he wants to see the dairy industry and dairy farmers succeed for many years to come.
“I think there is going to be great opportunities in the western district,” Mr de Kleine said.
“This year is a little different – but because of the rainfall, there will always be dairy farming here.
“No one does dairy farming the same. None of them are wrong or right.
“I would like to bring my positivity and perspectives to the WestVic Dairy board and western district dairy industry.”
The WestVic Dairy board is comprised of:
Brendan Rea, chair;
Will McDonald, vice chair;
Ella Credlin, treasurer (appointed as treasurer at AGM);
Ulke de Kleine, farmer director;
Rhonda Henry, specialist director (retired as treasurer at AGM);
Brooke Lane, farmer director;
Lucy Collins, farmer director; and
Bruce Officer, specialist director.
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