Jeff Odgers steps down from Dairy Australia board

Former Dairy Australia chairman Jeff Odgers has indicated he will leave the board — a year after he stood down from the top job due to a family tragedy.

Former Dairy Australia chairman Jeff Odgers. PICTURE: ZOE PHILLIPS

FORMER Dairy Australia chairman Jeff Odgers will retire as a director of the industry authority next month’s meeting, he will announce today.

Mr Odgers’ 23-year-old son, Jonathan, died last year after being crushed when a silo he was working under collapsed on him.

He stepped down from the top job shortly after and was replaced by James Mann as chairman.

Mr Mann paid tribute to Mr Odgers contribution to Australian dairy and said his “record of achievement was substantial.”

“Jeff’s focus on building Dairy Australia’s regional capabilities and driving our research and development agenda in herd and forage innovation see us well positioned for the future,” the DA chairman said.

“As a key architect of the Australian Dairy Plan, he helped to pull our industry together after one of the most turbulent periods in its history.

“Jeff will be missed by people across our organisation and the wider industry. We wish him and Robyn every success as they pursue new directions.”

Gippsland dairy farmer and former DA board director Graeme Nicoll has been appointed to fill the casual vacancy caused by Mr Odgers’ retirement.

Mr Nicoll will fill the vacancy until DA’s annual general meeting in November and he will not stand for re-election.

“Given the importance of having four directors with milk producer skills on the board and the high workload for farmer-directors, we decided to fill this casual vacancy as per our constitution,” Mr Mann said.

“Our Board Selection Committee discussed the various options including advertising the vacancy, nominating a replacement to complete Mr Odgers’ term or identifying an interim arrangement.

“With applications for the board due to open in June/July, the BSC determined an interim arrangement until the 2021 AGM in November would provide continuity in board operations while ensuring dairy farmers interested in nominating for the board vacancy will have that opportunity. After consideration, the BSC unanimously recommended Graeme’s appointment to the board on an interim basis.”

Dairy Australia will shortly begin advertising the two and three-year director vacancies for 2021, which will include this position for a director with milk producer skills.

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