Great South West Dairy Awards: First round of winners announced
South-west Victoria’s best young dairy farmer, most sustainable farm and best agricultural photographer have been named in an online ceremony.
TIMBOON region farmer Matt Grant has won the young dairy leader prize at the Great South West Dairy Awards tonight.
Mr Grant share farms on his family property at Cowleys Creek, just outside Timboon in Victoria’s Western District.
Award organisers said Mr Grant’s desire to improve his community and advance the dairy industry through his ongoing work with multiple groups were the reasons behind his victory.
“I’m thrilled to receive this award; it’s made extra special as my late friend Andy Powell was the previous recipient,” he said.
“He and Po (his father) made significant contributions to the dairy industry and our local community.
“They left a lasting legacy of innovation, knowledge sharing, volunteering, industry advocacy, and helping others succeed, making the local community a better place to be. I believe it’s important to help create the community you want to be a part of, and the work those guys put in has really inspired me.”
Doolan Farms based at Brucknell won the natural resource and sustainability category.
Award organisers said the Doolans had a strong focus on reducing energy use and using solar to meet as much of the farm’s energy needs as possible.
“We feel honoured to have won this category, it is important to our families future farming succession,” Sam Doolan said.
“We have always wanted to be working towards setting up a sustainable farm for our future Doolan generations.
“We couldn’t have achieved as much as we have if it wasn’t for the Keeping Carbon on Farm program through Heytesbury and District Landcare.”
Paul Thompson’s entry ‘Farming Family’ won the farm photo category.
Mr Thompson and his young family farm at Timboon, where he took the picture by setting up the camera on a bale of hay.
“It was taken on Christmas day, that in itself reflects the best and worst of dairy farming. One of the best being spending lots of time with my two boys,” he said.
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