Mentoring
The Dairy Mentoring Alliance
The Dairy Mentoring Alliance brings Gardiner alumni together to strengthen mentoring, connection and leadership across the Victorian dairy industry.
It creates a space for alumni to share their experience, build mentoring capability and connect with others, helping to strengthen the people and communities that make dairy thrive.
What is it?
The alliance aims to build skills and knowledge in mentoring, provide people with networking opportunities and collectively engage on topics of interest for our industry and communities.
It will involve:
- 60-minute virtual sessions every two to three months
- Learning and practicing new mentoring tools
- Facilitated, peer-based discussions to share knowledge and ideas
How it Works
We spent months talking to people across the industry about what mentoring actually needs to look like to work. This is what we’ve heard and how it has shaped our approach.
Ready to join the next mentoring gathering?
You’re welcome to join at any time
The Dairy Mentoring Alliance is underway, and new and returning participants are welcome to join at any stage. If you’re interested in connecting with other Gardiner alumni and developing your mentoring skills, reach out to us to find out about upcoming gatherings and how to get involved.
Sessions are facilitated by Cassandra Goodman (Bendelta), who worked with Gardiner Foundation to design and establish the Dairy Mentoring Alliance. Cassandra brings deep experience in leadership, mentoring and community capability building, with a focus on practical, peer-led models that strengthen connection and long-term impact.
Who it's For
“If not us, then who? If not now, then when?” Former politician Cathy McGowan AO, 2026 Gardiner Foundation Dairy Leaders Lunch.
Any Gardiner alumnus who wants to mentor, be mentored, or simply be part of a community of people who take leadership in dairy seriously.
If you’ve been part of a Gardiner funded opportunity and have experience to share or are looking for someone who does, this is where to start. Over time, our aim is for the alliance to grow and welcome people from right across the industry.
There’s no all-or-nothing commitment. New members are always welcome, whenever the time is right.
Here's Where it Starts
Stay connected. Get involved.
Mentoring is underway, and you’re welcome to join at any time. Open to all Gardiner alumni, no mentoring experience required.
Connect with fellow alumni, build your mentoring skills and learn from each other. Get in touch to find out more.
Join the Alumni network.
Been part of Gardiner? Register your details or pass this on to someone you know has been too.
It helps us stay in touch, connect you with opportunities, and make sure you’re part of the network as it grows.