South West Dairy Awards: Maryke Roux, Mark Billing top awardees

An enterprising farm manager and a dairy advocacy veteran were handed top honours in the South West Dairy Awards.

Yambuk farmer Maryke Roux has taken out top honours at the South West Dairy Awards last week.

Ms Roux won the Dairy Farm Business Management category while United Dairyfarmers of Victoria vice president Mark Billing was inducted onto the region’s honour roll.

Award-winning dairy farmer Maryke Roux. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Judges commended Ms Roux’s “insatiable passion and energy for the business” as well as her “demonstrated performance in planning, delivery, communication and commitment” to running her Yambuk farm, about 50km west of Warrnambool.

Jason Karney was awarded runner-up in the business management category.

WestVic Dairy executive officer Lindsay Ferguson said about 200 people attended the event at Warrnambool’s Matilda Rooms on Thursday night.

“It was a great opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge people across the dairy industry,” Mr Ferguson said.

“When Maryke won, there was an explosion of cheers from her colleagues. Also, Mark Billing’s work not only as a dairy farmer and advocate was acknowledged, but his involvement in many roles through the CFA, schools and other community service.”

The first award was presented to Renata Cumming, who took out the Young Dairy Leader Award, sponsored by the Gardiner Dairy Foundation.

Larpent’s Melanie Ackerley was awarded the runner-up in the young dairy leader category.

John and Rochelle Pekin won the Natural Resource and Sustainability Management Award. The couple impressed the judges with their ability to integrate both productivity and sustainability goals into their dairy farm.

Tim and Marie Humphris were runners-up in the sustainability category.

Karen Angus won best on-farm photo at the 2022 South West Dairy Awards.

In a unanimous decision, Karen Angus’s entry Red Hot Summer won the Farm Photo Award while the runner up photo was taken by Janine Thow.

Meaghan Johnston from Bega Cheese was awarded the Service Provider Award while James O’Brien was awarded runner up.

In the Employee Award, new farmer Liz Mackley took the honours while Jeffery Caballero received the runner-up prize.

Mr Billing’s decades of industry advocacy were recognised with his induction onto the regional industry honour board.

“Mark has made outstanding contributions to the region’s dairy industry over a long period,” judges said.

“His passion, capability and commitment shine through, backed up by several leadership positions which have earned him respect within and beyond the dairy industry.”