It’s been a busy calving season here in Gippsland, and now harvest and irrigation season are upon us.

While some parts of Gippsland are getting on with irrigating, others are still waiting for enough moisture run-off to fill dams.

I know how demanding this time of year can be on-farm, and I want to acknowledge the effort and dedication that goes into keeping everything running.

Amidst all this on-farm activity, I’m excited to share some updates from GippsDairy with you.

We’re proud to share our brand-new Strategic Plan 2025-2028.

This plan sets out our goals for the next three years, focusing on supporting farmers, building resilience, and embracing innovation.

An additional strategic priority will also focus on the impact that collaborating with other industry bodies will bring to Gippsland, ensuring our region continues to benefit from shared knowledge and collective strength.

It’s been shaped by feedback from our dairying community, and we’re excited to bring it to life with you.

You might have heard about our Rethinking Q Fever project.

It’s all about raising awareness and making sure our dairy farms, families and farm team stay safe.

For those who contract Q fever, it can cause months of debilitating illness, and being vaccinated is the best way to prevent illness and protect our industry’s workforce.

GippsDairy initially attracted funding support from WorkSafe to vaccinate 600 dairy industry workers. We are currently discussing matching funding with Dairy Australia, creating opportunity for even greater impact.

If GippsDairy is successful the project will open up across Victoria, extending into the WestVic and Murray regions, taking this important work beyond Gippsland and into other dairy communities, increasing vaccinations numbers to 1000.

Further information on Q fever is available here: https://lrh.com.au/news/q-fever-awareness-campaign-for-farm-workers/

A key part of the expansion will involve training more doctors to deliver the Q fever vaccine, with the aim of improving access for farming families and farm team members.

Importantly, the project will also provide a subsidised vaccination program for farmers, with a goal of vaccinating 1000 people across the state to better protect our workforce and communities.

An Expressions of Interest is now open, and you can contact GippsDairy to register for your nearest participating medical centre on (03) 5624 3900.

The updated Extension Calendar 2025 is ready to go!

This handy resource maps out all the workshops, field days and events coming up across Gippsland.

It’s a great way to plan ahead and make sure you don’t miss out on opportunities to learn, connect and share ideas. You can pick a copy up when attending any extension event.

We’re also really looking forward to the Annual Ladies Lunch at Traralgon Winery on Saturday, November 16.

It’s always a highlight on our social calendar — a chance to relax, enjoy a delicious lunch, and celebrate the amazing contribution women make to our dairy industry and wider community.

Tickets are available now through the GippsDairy website, so gather your friends, fill a car and come along for a wonderful day.

Thanks as always for your support and for being part of Gippsland’s vibrant dairy community.

It’s your passion and hard work that makes this industry so special.

Sarah O’Brien is the GippsDairy chair.

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