Former Fonterra chairman to speak on dairy leadership

Leadership in the dairy industry from both an international and national perspective will be a key theme at the conference in Shepparton, Victoria from February 16-18.

Sir Henry, a Rabobank Australia and New Zealand director who was awarded the 2015 Rabobank Leadership Award, will be speaking on the importance of creating a culture of leadership in the food, fibre and agribusiness sectors.

Australian Dairy Conference programming committee chair Tom Acocks says leadership is vital to any industry and understanding the importance and impact of that from an industry level right through to individual businesses is essential.

"It is a privilege to have Sir Henry van der Hayden as part of this year's programme especially given his recent recognition of his exceptional contribution to the New Zealand dairy industry" says Acocks.

A second session with Mike Taylor, immediate past chair of the Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation, will look to acknowledge the successes of the Australian dairy industry and build on current conversations within the industry around meeting future needs. It will articulate key principles that are important in ensuring the dairy community are the beneficiaries of an effective, efficient and influential industry for the next 20 years.

To provide first-hand experience, a panel consisting of leaders within the Australian dairy industry and facilitated by Murray Goulburn's Robert Poole will delve into leadership from an individual perspective and why it is so important for the industry.

Registrations are now open for the conference. Visit www.australiandairyconference.com.au