Plans to put together the south western Victorian dairy aggregation were first announced about two years ago, through what was then known as Linear Capital.
Linear Capital and Aerem Holdings were both formed by Hobart property developer, Troy Harper. Former Linear Capital chairman, Graham Duff was connected to Mr Harper, through racing interests. South western Victoria dairy farmer Pat O’Keefe, Winslow, said Mr Duff approached him to sell his 650 herd farm, to Linear Capital.
“It didn’t really come to much,” Mr O’Keefe said. “We never saw a contract, we met Graham Duff, he looked at the farm, but he had very little agricultural background.” The farm has since been sold to Midland.
Mr O’Keefe said Linear did not ask for much detail about the farm. “It was a simple profit and loss statement, four or five lines, expenses and income was about all.They wanted me to stay on in an advisory or managerial role, but there was never a salary mentioned.”
