Bega Cheese executive chair Barry Irvin was awarded the University of Sydney's Dairy Research Foundation 2019 Dairy Science Award on Wednesday night.
Presenting the award sponsored by industry advocacy group Dairy Connect, its chair George Davey said Mr Irvin's vision and tremendous drive had built a billion-dollar international food production, processing and distribution business from humble beginnings.
Mr Irvin's contributions have also been recognised in other sectors, having been made a member of the Order of Australia for his services to the dairy industry and to children with disabilities.
He has also been named NAB Monash University Agribusiness Leader of the Year and Rabobank Agribusiness Leader of the Year.