MDSC Directors

Together with my wife Belinda we share-farm with my parents in Westbury, in West Gippsland, with the original part of the farm purchased by my family over 100 years ago. I returned home to the farm in 2009, and commenced share-farming in 2013. Prior to retuning to the farm, I completed a Veterinary Science degree and worked as a vet in northern Victoria. I combined farm and vet work for a number of years before stepping away from private practice as the time demands of farm management increased with the commencement of share -farming. We milk 500 cross breed cows on a 153 ha milking platform, supported by around 150 ha of turn out area, all of which is dryland with and average rainfall of 850mm. Our herd is fully seasonal, with calving starting in August. We aim to have the majority of our feed requirements grown on-farm, with only concentrates and a small amount of fodder bought in. I am active within the dairy industry and our community – being a member of 2 farm discussion groups, a member of the Forage Value Index Technical Advisory Committee, the Emerging Animal Diseases working group, the Dairy Australia farmer ambassador program and our local CFA brigade.

David was appointed to the Fonterra Australia Suppliers’ Council Board in July 2021. David is part of a family farming business located in Noorat in the South West part of Victoria. David, his wife and his parents form the business. Their family have been farming in the area for four generations. David also works off farm as a ruminant nutritionist and has done so now for 20 years, after completing an Ag Science degree. David was a member of the Fonterra Supplier Forum for 5 years (2014 – 2019) with the last two as chair.

Dean was appointed to the Fonterra Australia Suppliers Council Board in November 2022. Dean has been involved with dairy for more than 20 years and is leasing his current farm in Yannathan, after previously holding farm manager roles and then as a Sharefarmer. Dean has also served on the Fonterra Australia Suppliers’ Council and Supplier Forum. Dean is an active member in the community, being a member of both the local Rotary and Football Netball Clubs.

Mark was appointed to Fonterra Australia Suppliers Council Board in February 2024. "I have been farming in Tasmania for 19 years, currently I am General Manager of Clovelly Tasmania, which is part of a family farming company with interests in over 100,000 ha in 9 countries. Clovelly is the family’s only dairy farm. The property is in Bridport Northeast Tasmania, farming 1,250 ha of pivot irrigation, 5,000 ML dam storage/direct river water licenses and 1,000 ha of dryland receiving 900mm annual rainfall. Clovelly milk 4,000 predominantly Friesian cows through two 54 rotary dairies, spring calving over 9 weeks. 2,000 dairy replacements and 2,000 beef are grown on the same property. My wife Shani, daughter Minnie and I live at Clovelly, Shani manages the calf rearing, dairy support, and dairy beef teams. Through our management and advisory business ANZag we are involved in dairy farming businesses in both Australia and New Zealand and have an interest in two dairy farming equity partnerships."

My wife Emma and I are owner-operators of Riversdale, a family dairy enterprise in Rochester. After returning to the farm in 2009, we have led significant growth and transformation, evolving the business from a 500-cow pasture-based system to an intensive, housed operation milking approximately 750 cows across 1,150 hectares. The business is supported by a team of 10 full-time staff and includes integrated fodder production and beef lot feeding. I am focused on building a profitable, sustainable and world-class dairy business, underpinned by innovation and a strong people-first culture. I bring over 15 years of experience driving growth and operational transformation within the family enterprise. I have also actively engaged across the dairy supply chain and have contributed through leadership roles with organisations including Murray Dairy, CMCL and the Australian Dairy Conference. Outside the farm, we are raising their two children, Bill and Alva. I am also involved in the Rochester Primary School council and local junior sport, and enjoy travel, time with family and friends, and following the Melbourne Demons at the MCG.