Since 2000, the Gardiner Foundation has been investing in change that benefits everyone in the Victorian dairy industry, helping to create places where people want to live, work and invest. We welcome opportunities to work with people, communities, businesses and organisations to make this happen.
Strategic Priorities
Fairley (Goulburn Murray) Community Leadership Program
Designed to develop and maximise an individual’s capacity for community leadership, the Fairley Leadership Program immerses participants from sectors and locations across the Goulburn Murray region. Balancing the exploration of leadership and community building, this program enables participants to realise their potential and demonstrate community leadership in action. Applications for the 2025 Program are now open and close November 17.
Gardiner Foundation Tertiary Scholarships
Students from Victorian dairy communities who plan to start their tertiary studies in 2025 are invited to apply for one of seven Tertiary Scholarships. Each scholar will receive $10,000 annually for three years. There is no preferred field of study – past students have enrolled in courses ranging from agricultural science to nursing, medicine, engineering, journalism and commerce. Applications are now open and close on November 25, 2024.
Latest News
Our latest media releases, articles, stories and events
Dairy leader’s mental health mission
Mental health issues are on the rise for people on the land. The Farmer Wellbeing Report from the National Farmers Federation and Norco Foods calls it ‘farming’s silent crisis’. For Southeast Gippsland dairy farm manager and mental health advocate, Aaron…
Andrew Murphy: Cultivating leadership and community connections
Andrew was sponsored by Gardiner Foundation to take part in the program, which continually develops a pool of emerging community leaders who are supported to engage in programs and initiatives supporting the region.
When opportunity knocks: Hamish Smith’s agribusiness journey
Hamish grew up on a dairy farm in Saint Germains, a small rural locality near Kyabram. In 2023, he became a Neil Black Tertiary Scholar, and recieves $10,000 annually to support costs associated with his studies.