Dairy farmers Paul Roderick (Queensland) and Paul Bennett (Tasmania) as well as Bega Group’s Hamish Reid have been recommended by Dairy Australia to fill three board vacancies to be voted on by members at the organisation's annual general meeting (AGM) on November 27.
Following the completion of the current terms of directors, Mr Roderick, Bennett and Paul van Heerwaarden, three board positions will become vacant at the AGM, which will be held in Melbourne and online.
The trio were recommended following an exhaustive national search and assessment process, and were identified by Dairy Australia’s board selection committee, which operated for the first time under the new independent chair model approved by members at the 2025 AGM.
Board selection committee chair Paul Higgins said the three candidates were recommended because they brought a strong mix of farming, commercial and industry leadership experience.
“In line with Dairy Australia's Constitution, the board maintains a balance of skills and experience that reflect the needs of the organisation,” Dr Higgins said.
“This year’s vacancies are for a director with milk producer (farming) skills, a director with agribusiness, innovation and adoption skills, and a director with dairy supply chain and product promotion skills.”
Paul van Heerwaarden will retire from the board at the conclusion of the AGM after completing his term as a director.
Mr Roderick is a dairy farmer from Harrisville in south-east Queensland, where he has operated his family farm for more than 30 years.
He brings extensive industry experience across advocacy, research, development and extension, and has held leadership roles with Subtropical Dairy, Premium Milk Ltd and the Australian Dairy Conference Board.
Appointed to the Dairy Australia board in 2020, he has served as chair since November 2024.
Mr Bennett owns and manages Ashgrove Farms in northern Tasmania, a large-scale dairy and dairy beef operation. He is also chair of Ashgrove Cheese and brings extensive agribusiness and industry leadership experience through roles with DairyTas, Dairy Moving Forward and a range of community and industry organisations.
Appointed to the Dairy Australia board in 2023, he currently serves as chair of the People and Culture Committee.
Mr Reid is executive general manager for Bega Nutritionals and Ingredients at Bega Group, bringing more than 25 years of experience across the dairy supply chain.
His expertise spans dairy science and technology, innovation, FMCG brand development, international markets, milk procurement and primary processing.
Mr Reid is currently a director of the Australian Dairy Industry Council and the Australian Dairy Products Federation, and previously served as chair of the Infant Nutrition Council of Australia and New Zealand.
All dairy farm business operators are eligible to become Dairy Australia members and vote in director elections. Details about voting and AGM participation will be made available ahead of the meeting.
For more information on the director election process, visit dairyaustralia.com.au