AUSTRALIAN dairy industry stalwarts Ann and Lindsay Jarvis were awarded the Australian Dairy Industry Council's Outstanding Service Award at an Industry Leaders Breakfast this morning in Melbourne.
The farmers from Victoria's Kiewa Valley have been heavily involved in the industry for almost 50 years.
An emotional Mr Jarvis said he was extraordinarily proud to receive the award.
Mrs Jarvis delivered an impassioned speech in which she called on the industry to not forgot the importance of farmers being able to make a living from their farm.
She said the dairy industry was symbiotic with all sectors being dependent on each other.
It was vital the industry stayed Australian, she said.
ADIC chairman Noel Campbell said the award recognised the tireless efforts of both individuals, and their ongoing commitment to improving the industry’s sustainability.
Lindsay Jarvis had dedicated his dairying career to the management of natural resources and actively advocated the use of sustainable on-farm practices, Mr Campbell said.
He also spent 31 years as a Director at Murray Goulburn.
Mr Campbell said Ann Jarvis had devoted her time to educating, training and supporting the people of agriculture, particularly women and young farmers.
He commended the achievements of the dairying duo who have been engaged with dairy for more than 47 years.
“We are fortunate in the dairy industry to have many men and women with outstanding talent and ability,” Mr Campbell said.
He described their partnership as “one part dreamer, one part doer”, and said the couple practiced what they preachws, transforming their 280 hectare farm from dry-land irrigation into a contour flood irrigation system, and taking the time to teach young farmers how to make their businesses more sustainable.
They have been actively involved in farming organisations such as United Dairyfarmers of Victoria since they first began dairying.
“Lindsay and Ann are committed to the ongoing improvement of our industry and are exceedingly generous with their time,” he said.
“Their reputation as passionate advocates for dairy is well earned.”
With a strong dedication to community involvement, the Jarvis’s are also involved in volunteer activities beyond dairy.
Mr Jarvis has been a member of the local Country Fire Authority for over 50 years, while Mrs Jarvis donates her time to mentoring students of agriculture, and developing programs such as UDV professional dairy-farmer project.
Carlene Dowie
Associate editor of Australian Dairyfarmer magazine.
Associate editor of Australian Dairyfarmer magazine.
