The Gardiner Dairy Foundation wishes to announce the departure of long-serving Board Member and Chair of the Finance, Investment and Audit Committee, Mike Carroll, after serving on the Gardiner Dairy Foundation Board for the past six years.

Mike has more than 25 years’ experience in the food and agribusiness sectors and currently serves as Chair of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and director for Tassal, Select Harvests, Sunny Queen, Paraway Pastoral Company and Rural Funds Management and is a committee member of the Marcus Oldham Foundation.

Mike has previously held board positions with Warrnambool Cheese and Butter, Queensland Sugar, Rural Finance, the Australian Farm Institute and Meat and Livestock Australia. Most notably, Mike was instrumental in establishing National Australia Bank’s Agribusiness Division, which has been pivotal in creating commercial opportunities for the agribusiness sector.

The Gardiner Dairy Foundation’s Chairman, Dr Bruce Kefford, says Mike has made an excellent contribution to the Gardiner Dairy Foundation board during his six year tenure.

“Mike has a sound knowledge of the Australian and international agribusiness sectors. This knowledge and his significant financial expertise has been invaluable for the Gardiner Dairy Foundation. In particular, in his role as Chair of the Finance, Investment and Audit Committee, Mike has brought a great deal of governance and financial rigor to the Gardiner Dairy Foundation and this will be a lasting legacy from his time on the board.” Dr Kefford said.

Mary Harney, CEO Gardiner Dairy Foundation says Mike’s economic rationale and experience in a wide range of agricultural sectors has been very beneficial to advising and shaping Gardiner Dairy Foundations investments in the Victorian and Australian dairy industry.

“Having a director of Mike Carroll’s calibre has been a great asset. Gardiner Dairy Foundation is a major investor in the dairy industry and Mike has expertly combined his knowledge of agricultural supply chain economics and finance for the benefit of Gardiner, our stakeholders and the dairy industry. The Gardiner Dairy Foundation is indebted to Mike for his sound advice and the financial governance, investment and audit work he led during his directorship. We wish Mike all the very best in his future corporate, community and farming pursuits.” Mary Harney said.

Mike is a fourth generation farmer and his family have been involved in farming for over 140 years. He will continue combining his various corporate and not for profit board positions with time on his beef property in western Victoria.