Victorian Farmers Federation 2024 election: Danyel Cucinotta declares presidential candidacy

With nominations for the VFF presidency now open, Werribee egg farmer Danyel Cucinotta is the first out of the starting gates.

Werribee region egg farmer Danyel Cucinotta has become the first candidate to declare a run for the Victorian Farmers Federation presidency, with nominations now open.

The VFF vice president is the only contender so far to throw their hat into the ring, with incumbent president Emma Germano’s term coming to an end this year.

At 32, Ms Cucinotta would be the VFF’s youngest-ever president if successful in December, pipping the 2009 record held by then 33-year-old Andrew Broad.

She would also be the VFF’s third female president after Ms Germano and 1980s trailblazer Heather Mitchell.

Ms Cucinotta told The Weekly Times that promoting the positive work of farmers to a new generation was critical at a time when a range of factors were working against agriculture.

“I’ve been so fortunate to sit in such a prestigious position as vice president over the past four years – it’s been an absolute honour,” she said.

“It’s a really exciting time for the VFF. Obviously the VFF undergone some serious transformation in the past four years — love it, loathe it — it’s absolutely undergone it.

“I’m a third generation egg farmer. In my business, I love problem-solving, I love efficiencies and I want to take that business approach to the role of VFF president.”

During her four-year tenure as vice president, Ms Cucinotta became a leading voice during the avian flu outbreak, relaying concerns of the egg industry to Canberra.

“It was a terrible time for our industry but what I learnt from that experience is getting a clear, calm message out to the public. Spreading the positive message of farming is so important and with the changes in technology, you need to be on your game 24/7.”

Werribee egg farmer Danyel Cucinotta would be the VFF’s youngest-ever president if elected

Former Fish Creek egg farmer Meg Parkinson, who has served as president of the VFF eggs council, says she’s considering a run for the VFF presidency but had not officially declared her hand.

Ms Parkinson previously contested several presidential ballots, the most recent being the 2022 campaign against Ms Germano and former United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Paul Mumford.

Nominations for the VFF’s five open leadership roles close on October 11.

Online and requested postal ballots will be distributed between November 18 and 20 with the voting process open between November 25 and December 6.

The election results will be announced on December 20.