East Gippsland Shire Council has appointed nine local agribusiness leaders to its Agriculture Sector Advisory Committee, who will shape Council’s advocacy, programs and the region’s agricultural strategies. 

Mayor Cr Mendy Urie said the appointments represent a diverse and skilled group of passionate agribusiness leaders who, over the next two years, will be instrumental in putting agribusiness initiatives, projects and advocacy front and centre. 

Appointments to the committee were considered at Council’s meeting held in early February, and include:

Alison Gunn– an Orbost-based veterinarian, consultant, and beef farmer with experience in research and has a master’s degree in veterinary science.

David Caldwell – a ‘next generation’ beef, sheep and dairy farmer with a fodder business, who has a wide field experience on boards.

Jen Smith – business manager and owner of a beef, sheep, dairy, agribusiness and a fodder enterprise based in the Tambo Valley.

Leecia Angus – a consultant with a breath of experience in research and development in the dairy, wool, sheep, grain, technology and innovation.

Matthew Zagami– owner/operator of a Wairewa horticulture enterprise, with a bachelor’s degree in applied science in Agriculture. Matthew is involved in developing a packing facility with sales and distribution, and has experience in cropping, cattle, farming diversification and development.

Trevor Caithness – manager of a pastoral farming, seeding and fertiliser business and chair of the Gippsland Agriculture Group.

Nick Blandford – a wool and sheep farmer with experience in research, agricultural sales and climate mitigation. He is a representative on the State Government Young Farmers Advisory Council and has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture science.

Paul Menke – abalone pearl producer who holds a master’s degree in environmental science.

Ken Eckersley – experienced in chemistry, finances and tourism development with a Degree in Science. Ken owns and operates a local winery and has extensive experience in viticulture industry.

A further representative from the forest products sector and the High Country will be added to the committee. Industry representatives are Graeme Dear (East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority), Bruce Weston (Agriculture Victoria)and Andrew Bulmer (Food and Fibre Gippsland).

 Councillors Mendy Urie and John White will represent Council and if they cannot attend, Cr Sonia Buckley will deputise. 

“Council has a range of advisory and consultative bodies in place to successfully support Council, and it’s a great step forward to be able to have the agriculture sector being able to provide a formalised, well considered and strategic overview of such an important local industry,” Cr Urie said.

The new advisory committee takes up, in part, the work of the East Gippsland Drought Reference Group which concluded in late 2020.

“The Drought Reference Group did some excellent work across a very challenging period of prolonged drought,” Cr Urie said.

“It supported hundreds of farming families, successfully advocated to state and federal governments for investment and support, worked with Council to deliver a rates subsidy for farmers, led the Farming Family Breaks initiatives, Rural Minds wellbeing workshops, and offered household water for 400 drought affected rural families.

“Other support for farmers has included food hampers, fencing and equipment, donated fodder, relief packages, personal support; the drought committee had a direct or indirect hand in much of that great work.

“Through the group Council has been able to support community based agricultural events with free or reduced entry, and other small community events in 10 rural communities.”

Cr Urie said the logical step was to now broaden the scope of the group and build on that great work.

“We look forward to what the advisory committee using its vast experience to further enhance agribusiness opportunities,” Cr Urie said.