Former St Kilda star at dairy & farm expo

IT’S back! The Strzelecki Lions Club’s South Gippsland Dairy and Farming Expo will be back at the Korumburra Recreation Reserve for the first time in three years on Wednesday, September 7 and Thursday, September 8.

And despite missing two physical events in 2020 (virtual expo) and 2021, the expo will celebrate more than 21 years of providing the local dairying community with an event showcasing the latest innovations, products, and services available to the dairy industry.

Organisers expect the usual spread of exhibitors and supporters, and will be offering visitors plenty of incentive to come back including the chance to win $5000 in the Udder Truth show bag competition, which is sponsored by South-East Organic Fertiliser.

One of the organisers of the event, Deanne Kennedy, said the response to the return of the expo had been very encouraging.

“We are looking forward to making our big return to Korumburra in September. The committee is looking forward to renewing its core objective to provide our local farming community with a one-stop shop for them to enable them to conduct their business and see the latest in services and technology,” said Deanne.

“We’re also excited to announce the involvement of Westpac as our major sponsor.”

Ms Kennedy said this year’s expo would provide broader appeal to the farming community of Gippsland.

“The committee has added the word ‘Farming’ to the South Gippsland Dairy Expo this year. This addition is to reassure other agricultural enterprises that we have plenty of exhibitors who not only service the dairy industry.”

There has already been a big response from exhibitors.

“The committee has received a fantastic response from sponsors and exhibitors; with the current allocation of sites almost complete, the committee will look at opening up additional locations.”

So, the expo is set to pick up from where the 2019 expo left off.

“Bring it on, as Graeme Lancey, an inaugural committee member says, bigger and better than ever.

“We’d expect that there will be upwards of 120 exhibitors.”

Matt Harms from OnFarm is also back again, hosting a session called ‘Are you seen as an employer of Formula One standard?’

Matt will be presenting on Wednesday, September 7 at 11am.

Many people know the formula for what makes a great employee; this is an opportunity to come along to learn the formula to make you an employer of choice.

Panel members include: Andrew Perry, dairy farmer, Kongwak; Jasmine Kneebone, farm employee, Denison; Lachlan Harms, farm manager, Leongatha; Tamara Loughridge, farm employee, Poowong North; and Matt Taylor, farm employee, Kongwak.

They will share their ideas on what makes a great employer and what they seek from a career in the dairy industry — Is your farm up to speed? 

South Gippsland Shire Council is the sponsor of this session.

What’s on?

• Keynote presentation: On Thursday, September 8 at 11am, Nathan Burke will speak — a former champion with St Kilda Football Club and current coach of the AFL Women’s Western Bulldogs team. He will share his experiences about ‘Achieving your goals and relying on other people to deliver’. Reid Stockfeeds and the National Australia Bank are sponsoring this session.

• The Gumboot Gift: On Wednesday, September 7 at 1pm, the prestigious 120-metre gumboot footrace will take place. It is a must-see and do event, with male and female sections and a prize pool of $4000.

South Gippsland Dairy & Farming Expo opening hours are 10am to 3.30pm daily, and the cost is $15 (free admission for under 16s).

For more information, phone Deanne Kennedy on 0419 878 055 or email: dairyexpo@jaydee.net.au