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.

At 25 years of age, Victoria Alexander is a Director at Nugenes, a cattle reproduction company. Victoria has expanded her leadership knowledge participating in the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program.

Traveling at 95 kilometers per hour on a jet boat may not seem like a typical professional development activity – but for dairy farmer Miranda Knight, it was a thrilling end to an eight-day New Zealand study tour.

Researchers are investigating how and why young people aged 15-35 years enter, stay or leave jobs and careers in the agri-food sector, including farming, farm services and food processing.

In 2022, Maya received the Shirley Harlock scholarship from Gardiner Foundation – now she is leveraging her academic journey to deepen her involvement in the dairy industry.

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.

The LGSC Program aspires leaders gain skills and connections to shape the future of their region. This year, two women from the dairy industry have taken on this challenge, contributing to in impactful ways.

Yvette Williams has always been driven by a deep curiosity about the intricate details of dairy farming, a fascination that began during her early research days and now fuels her work or the C4Milk Project.

In celebration of National Science Week, we extend our congratulations to DairyBio and DairyFeedbase STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) scientists Dr. Amanda Chamberlain, Dr. Kathryn Sheffield, and Dr. Elizabeth Morse-McNabb.

This year, GippsDairy has partnered with Gardiner Foundation and Jaydee Events to deliver the Cows Create Careers program at Fulham Correctional Centre, operated by The GEO Group Australia.

Amidst the chaos of packing for her first Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLP) session in the rugged Kimberleys, Ella Credlin felt the reality of the adventure ahead sink in.

DairyFeedbase 2023-28 is a joint venture between Agriculture Victoria, Dairy Australia and the Gardiner Foundation. It is also one of the dairy industry’s leading innovation programs.

Sponsored by the Gardiner Foundation, Naomi’s participation marks a significant milestone in her long-standing commitment to fostering community growth and development.

Regional Australia is growing, and with growth comes new challenges and opportunities. Are you ready to lead through these changes? If so, the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) could be for you.

For 22 years, the Gardiner Foundation Community Grants program has enabled not-for-profit organisations in Victoria’s dairy communities to create and lead projects that help locals connect and support their regions to be sustainable and vibrant places to live and work.

The Gargarro Botanic Garden Ltd. has received a $5,000 grant to extend the community-run Friends of Gargarro Green Thumbs Nursery, and support volunteers, grow plants for the local botanic garden and support community organisation financial sustainability.

In the wake of a devastating arson attack that destroyed its beloved clubrooms, the Fish Creek Football Netball Club is turning to the power of community stories and cherished recipes to rebuild.

The Beech Forest & District Progress Association has received a $4,975 grant to go towards rebuilding the historic Beech Forest bakery oven, once the cornerstone of the township’s social and economic life.

Podcaster, farmer, journalist, entrepreneur and ‘boy mum’ – Kirsten Diprose wears many hats. It’s no surprise she caught the attention of the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) and earned a scholarship to Course 31.

The Victorian Government is supporting key agriculture industry bodies. Gardiner Foundation will receive $610,000 to engage culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in agricultural regions.

Gardiner Foundation is holding a unique event to share the latest trends and insights from your region, network with fellow farmers and community members and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of your community.

Four Monash students have formulated a master plan for an integrated civic, arts and tourism precinct in Campaspe Shire. This is the first community project Gardiner has sponsored through the MITI program.

Dairy farmer and vet Ebony Mull was sponsored by the Gardiner Foundation to attend the recent 2024 Young Dairy Network (YDN) Conference. Over 100 farmers and industry members came together for the two-day event.

Rachael McGrath received the Young Dairy Leader Award, sponsored by the Gardiner Foundation, for her active contribution to the dairy sector and her community at the 2024 Great South West Dairy Awards.

Cow, courage and curiosity were the themes of the 2024 Young Dairy Network (YDN) Conference held in Wollongong, NSW. Gardiner Foundation sponsored six young farmers.

Jane and Leesa recently returned from the 2024 Gardiner Foundation New Zealand Study Tour where they explored the South Island, its dairy sector and developed their leadership skills.

East Gippsland dairy farmer Stewart McRae says he has permanently split his herd in two after achieving increased milk yields by participating in a research trial through Dairy Feedbase.

Two Monash University undergraduates are seriously considering a tree change after spending three months on an industry placement at Saputo Dairy Australia in South Gippsland.

Farmers will get a first-hand look at the latest research under way at the SmartFarm to improve soils and pasture, optimise animal nutrition and reduce carbon emissions.

South Gippsland dairy farmer Mitchell Jones recently completed an 8-day journey in New Zealand as part of a study tour. While he was hoping to return with new leadership skills, he returned with much more – a family.

Our first podcast is now live on DairyPod. We interviewed Nuffield Australia scholar Sarah Crosthwaite on her experience in mental health and agriculture. Sarah is a dairy farmer and accredited mental health social worker and studied mental health globally through the Nuffield.

Twelve dairy farmers and dairy industry professionals have embarked on an eight-day journey across New Zealand to explore its dairy sector and develop their leadership skills in the process.

This year, Kerryn Giorgianni, a Registered Nurse for Echuca Regional Health, will be participating in the program with 22 other community leaders from the Goulburn Murray region.

This year, Tandarra resident Dan Straub, and Rochester local Amanda Logie received scholarships for the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program (LMCLP).

In 2023, Sarah received a Nuffield Scholarship. The Gardiner Foundation, in partnership with Nuffield Australia, offers a farming scholarship to a Victorian dairy farmer each year. The scholarship provides an opportunity for a farmer to investigate an agricultural topic of their choice.

Gardiner Foundation in partnership with Nuffield Australia offers a Nuffield Farming Scholarship to a Victorian dairy farmer each year. The successful scholar will embark on a 15-week immersive experience in purposeful learning and international travel, supported by a $40,000 grant.

The Gardiner Foundation, in collaboration with the Australian Dairy Conference, is excited to announce the opportunity for a dedicated individual to join the upcoming New Zealand Study Tour as a Mentor. This eight-day tour is scheduled for mid-April 2024.

The Gardiner Foundation’s Strategic Plan was unveiled at the Dairy Leaders Luncheon Monday 26 February emphasising five priorities: Financial Stewardship, People in Dairy, Community Development, Research & Innovation,and Industry Support.

At age seven, Libby Clymo’s doctor told her she was the youngest person he’d ever known to present with a fully ruptured ACL. It was a simple skid off her bike during a family holiday that caused the injury and set the course for her career.

Community groups in small dairy communities across Gippsland, South-West and Northern Victoria can now apply for Gardiner Foundation Community Grants up to $5,000 to strengthen and build capacity in their dairying region.

Seven students from Victorian dairy regions, commencing their first year of tertiary study in 2024, have been honoured with scholarships from the Gardiner Foundation. Each scholar will receive $10,000 annually for three years.

  Gardiner Foundation is inviting young dairy leaders to apply for the 2024 Gardiner Foundation New Zealand Study Tour to explore the best of the New Zealand Dairy industry and develop their leadership skills in the process. With sponsorship from…

If you’re an aspiring leader living in Gippsland and want to meet like-minded people and form lasting connections, then the Gippsland Community Leadership Program (GCLP) could be for you. Applications for the comprehensive 10-month course are currently open.

By Sarah Collier Scholarships are more than just financial aid. They are investments in human potential. They open doors to education, personal growth, and opportunities that would otherwise remain out of reach. The Gardiner Foundation Tertiary Scholarship enables students from…

By Sarah Collier The Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program (AVCLP) is driving the development of strong, connected, and resilient communities in north-east Victoria. The annual course gives participants a chance to immerse themselves in leadership training in a regional environment,…

By Sarah Collier Investing in emerging leaders and fostering regional leadership programs is important to creating  sustainable and profitable regions. Leadership Great South Coast, an annual community leadership program, plays a pivotal role in building the capabilities of people working…

Rachel Dickson didn’t think her life would lead her from Terang in South West Victoria to Vancouver in Canada. She’s currently studying a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University, and completed one of her semesters abroad. “Coming to the end…

Students from Victorian dairy communities who plan to start their tertiary studies in 2024 are invited to apply for one of seven Gardiner Foundation Tertiary Scholarships. Students must pursue a career that will either directly benefit the dairy industry and/or…

By Sarah Collier Supporting emerging rural leaders and as a result building strong rural communities is one of the main focuses of the Gardiner Foundation. Gardiner supports a range of leadership courses each year and is now in its second…