ADF boss announces resignation

Earlier today, United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) president Tyran Jones resigned from his role, effective immediately, but he remains on the ADF board.

Ms Collard has been with the peak dairy lobby group ADF since 2008, when she was appointed as general manager. Since 2011 she has been CEO.

She had previously worked at the National Farmers Federation (NFF) as manager, rural affairs.

One of her key achievements at ADF was negotiating and implementing a restructure of the group in a bid to make it financially viable.

The restructure saw changes including a smaller board, a new national council with State farmer representatives, and processor investment in whole of industry policy and advocacy issues.

“This (resigning) is something I’ve been planning for a while,” Ms Collard explained.

“I wanted to bed down the restructure ... and I’m confident it works now.”

However, the restructure did face opposition in 2012, after its members failed to reach a decision over the proposal; particularly from South Australia and Western Australia.

The South Australian Dairyfarmers Association (SADA) was then expelled by ADF in August 2012 for “prejudicial behaviour”. ADF did not comment on the expulsion at the time, except to say the restructure was a separate issue.

After a three-year clash over the restructure of the board, SADA then rejoined ADF last October.

The ADF restructure finally got over the line in mid-2012, with the deal incorporating $1.125 million of funding from milk processors for three years.

Ms Collard said ADF was now in a “great” position going forward, and she felt like it was the right time to resign.

“I’m very proud of what we achieved,” she said.

Although she would not describe the restructure process as “easy”, because of the number of stakeholders involved, Ms Collard said she was able to navigate a balance to ascertain the final outcome.

“There were a lot of people involved and we needed to implement change quickly,” she said.

“Anything that is a big prize is not easy.

“We put in place a number of good processes and skills, there was a lot of listening.

“It was a wonderful outcome for the industry.”

Ms Collard’s achievements also include being awarded the Telstra Business Woman of the Year in 2013.

“This industry is more than just a job. It’s been a great growing experience, and I’ve made a lot of valuable friendships.”

ADF will now be advertising the role.

“I would highly recommend it to anybody with the right skills, it’s a fantastic industry,” she said.

“The industry unity and focus is fantastic.”

She said she had not decided what the next chapter of her life involved, but ruled out politics.

ADF president Noel Campbell acknowledged Ms Collard’s work within the sector.

“She led us through the restructure…and it was a robust and difficult time,” he said.

“There were a lot so of negotiations, with State bodies and processors.

“Natalie was key to that. She always had a vision for where we needed to be. I can’t fault her.”

Mr Campbell said ADF now had a much better relationship with the government.

He also highlighted the Chinese free trade deal as a key achievement that Ms Collard had assisted with, and that the organisation would continue to work hard to make sure the industry capitalised on the opportunity.