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Jim van der Poel and his wife Sue with the award.
Dairy industry leader Jim van der Poel didn't make much of the invitation he received to the recent New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in Rotorua.
The Ohaupo farmer told Rural News that he loved coming to the annual event, which celebrates the industry's cream of the crop.
But Van der Poel and his wife Sue were surprised to be called on stage and presented with the prestigious Services to the Dairy Industry Award.
The award is given out on rare occasions to people who have contributed significantly to the dairy industry and recognises van der Poel's 40-year service to the industry.
Van der Poel says receiving the award was "a very big surprise for a start".
"I got invited along tonight to be part of these great celebrations and we always love coming to these events and so to get this award presented with us and the kind words that were said was a big surprise actually," he says.
The van der Poels are no stranger to dairy awards. They won the Waikato Sharemilker of the Year in 1987 - which was just before the regional programme became national in 1989.
Apart from farming, van der Poel has played a leading role in industry governance, serving as Fonterra director and chair of DairyNZ.
As a farmer and equity partner, van der Poel has used his experience to support innovation, succession. and leadership development across the sector.
He describes his stint as a dairy farmer and governance leader as an amazing journey.
The industry has evolved and grown but van der Poel points out that all the same principles still apply.
"We're farmers, we help one another, share information and there's still great opportunities for people to enter the industry and grow in it."
He believes the dairy industry is in very good stead.
He remains a great fan of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards because they celebrate success within the industry.
"They also recognise and identify good people coming through and offer learning opportunities for them.
"These award nights show new people that are doing great things out there, have real good leadership capability and they come to these awards, and you think, wow, this industry is in good shape."
New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Trust chair Paulette Johns presented Jim and Sue with the award.
She says van der Poel is recognised as a distinguished leader across the dairy sector, having made a sustained and influential contribution over more than four decades of farming, governance and national industry leadership.
"He has done this in tandem with Sue, who is in her own right a successful farmer and business partner. We recognise her unwavering support, which no doubt enabled Jim to commit his time to the industry bodies.
"Widely respected for his integrity, cool, calm and pragmatic approach, and commitment to mentorship, Jim's achievements, impact, and influence represent an enduring legacy of service to New Zealand agriculture," says Johns.
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