The Gardiner Dairy Foundation would like to announce that Mary Harney will be stepping down from her role as Chief Executive in October.
Since being appointed to the role in 2012, Mary has been the driving force behind numerous landmark initiatives, in particular Gardiner’s investment in Research, Development and Extension (RD&E).
Mary played an integral role in leading Gardiner’s flagship RD&E initiative, ImProving Herds, which engaged genomics experts to assist dairy farmers to make informed herd decisions and generate increased profit.
She also led the creation of the Australian Dairy Leadership Alumni (ADLA) and its two-day Summit that brings together Australia’s leading dairy farmers to tackle the industry’s most pressing issues.
Mary also forged the Monash Industry Team Initiative (MITI) program, which made prominent Gardiner’s role in the post farm gate sector. The MITI program has been very well received by the wider industry and it was awarded a Business Higher Education Round Table (BHERT) award for Outstanding Excellence in Collaboration.
The Gardiner Dairy Foundation’s Chairman, Dr Bruce Kefford, said Mary has been instrumental in the continued development of Gardiner in thought leadership, management and program development and by facilitating collaboration between the private, public and government sectors.
“Mary’s contribution will leave a legacy having led projects that support the entire dairy supply chain, helping to reinforce Gardiner’s commitment to ensuring the industry has a vibrant future.
“We wish Mary all the best in her next endeavour as Chief Executive at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons where we anticipate her contribution will leave a lasting impact, as she has done during her time at Gardiner,” said Dr Kefford.