The Gardiner Dairy Foundation has granted six Victorian Regional Community Leadership Program (VRCLP) scholarships that aim to nurture and empower leadership opportunities within regional dairy communities.

The VRCLP enhances leadership skills and provides unparalleled training and skill development to emerging industry leaders across regional Victoria. The Gardiner Dairy Foundation supports a mix of scholars across the dairy supply chain to undertake these leadership development programs.

The successful applicants for the 2018 regional leadership programs are:

Leadership Great South Coast:

Peter Gaffy (Westvic Dairy)

Lauren Peterson (Grattons Gate Dairy Farm)

Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program: 

Genevieve Policarpio (Jacinta Hicks Dairy Farm)

Emma Dotollo (Pyramid Hill)

Fairley Leadership: 

Liz Byrne (Murray Dairy)

Ashley Gabler (Dookie College)

Chief Executive Officer of the Gardiner Dairy Foundation, Clive Noble, said that the Victorian Regional Community Leadership Programs provide an opportunity for scholars to advance their leadership and support of dairy communities across Victoria.

“Gardiner is committed to empowering future leaders and the wider dairy community. We have supported these regional community leadership programs for 14 years, which equips aspiring leaders to develop their skills and networks within the local community.” said Clive.

One of the VRCLP recipients, Ashley Gablers, Farm Manager of Dookie College who oversees all farming and agriculture, has recently been accepted into the Fairley Leadership Program and is looking forward to what the program has to offer.

“I hope to develop leadership skills that will enable me to become a future leader in the region and inspire young people in the dairy industry.

“I’d like to thank the Gardiner Dairy Foundation for the opportunity in supporting me to complete this program,” said Ashley.

Each applicant will be given a unique opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills in areas including networking, public speaking and presentation and invaluable hands on industry experience.