UDV names Mark Billing as new vice-president

The Victorian dairy-farmer lobby has a new vice-president: Mark Billing from near Colac in southwest Victoria. Here are his plans.

Mark Billing is the successful candidate for the role of UDV vice-president. Picture: Supplied

The newly elected United Dairy Farmers of Victoria vice president has been announced at the dairy-farmer lobby’s annual meeting today.

Colac dairy farmer Mark Billing will take on the role, replacing outgoing UDV vice-president John Keely, who was in the role since 2018.

Mr Billing was involved with the UDV as a member for more than 35 years, most recently as the policy councillor for UDV region 8.

“I’m proud that the broader UDV membership have seen me as the right candidate. The UDV has a long history of representing farmers and there’s been some very good people go through the senior ranks over the years. To be part of that group now is an honour,” Mr Billing said.

Following the Covid-19 lockdown announced yesterday morning, the UDV conference, set to be held today at Federation Square in Melbourne, was postponed to July 23.

The annual meeting went ahead, albeit in an unconventional format, with at least 36 voting UDV members logging on via Zoom.

Mr Billing said he was eager to take up the position supporting UDV president Paul Mumford and has a particular focus on policy making and structural reform including revision of the Australian Dairy Plan.

“We need to make sure Victorian dairy farmers are heard throughout that process and ensure we maintain a good communication link with government help farmers get the best out of their businesses,” he said.

“I’ve been a UDV member for a long time.”

Leadership comes naturally to Mr Billing who also sits on the UDV Executive Committee and has been in a number of leadership roles including group officer for the CFA for 24 years.

“I’ve been a UDV member for a long time and in the last two or three years I’ve had a bit more time to put towards the organisation and decided to throw my hat in the ring to be a more involved member,” Mr Billing said.

“I’m fourth generation on our family dairy farm, so you might say milk is in my veins.”