More than 150 people from across Victoria’s dairy industry gathered in Melbourne on Thursday 22 October to celebrate 25 years of Gardiner Foundation and more than $100 million invested in the people, research, innovation and communities that underpin the industry.
Held at RACV City Club, The Gardiner Effect: Twenty-Five Years On brought together dairy farmers, processors, industry leaders, researchers, scholarship recipients, community representatives and past and present Gardiner directors, leaders and team members.
The evening celebrated not only what Gardiner has invested over the past quarter-century, but what people and organisations have gone on to achieve with that support.
Established in 2000 following dairy industry deregulation, Gardiner began with approximately $62 million from the sale of Victorian dairy industry assets, including iconic brands such as Big M.
Over the past 25 years, Gardiner has invested more than $100 million in initiatives supporting Victorian dairy, from research and innovation to education, leadership and stronger regional communities.
An independent assessment of Gardiner’s 25-year impact identified more than 700 supported projects, 239 scholarship recipients and over 80 key partnerships.
Celebrating the power of dairy
Gardiner Chair Andrew Metcalfe AO opened the evening by reflecting on the Power of Purpose, exploring the foresight of the industry’s founding leaders and their commitment to creating a lasting investment for Victorian dairy.
Barry Irvin AM, Executive Chairman of Bega Group and former Gardiner Director, spoke about the Power of Dairy, highlighting the industry’s achievements, its diversity and the significant opportunities ahead.
He emphasised the importance of shared knowledge, understanding and collaboration in building on dairy’s strengths and navigating its future.
The evening also recognised the contribution of past and present directors, whose leadership has helped guide Gardiner through 25 years of industry change.
The impact behind the investment
At the heart of the evening were the stories of people whose careers, work and communities have been shaped by Gardiner-supported opportunities.
Matthew Dwyer reflected on his involvement with the Monash Industry Team Initiative (MITI) and Gardiner’s New Zealand Dairy Study Tour, demonstrating how industry connections and professional development strengthen capability in dairy manufacturing.
Gardiner’s investment in MITI supported 268 students, connecting emerging talent with real industry challenges.
Dr Susan Brumby shared the story of Sustainable Farm Families, one of Gardiner’s earliest community investments. First supported in 2003, the initiative helped lay the foundations for the National Centre for Farmer Health, with the relationship continuing today through the Back on Track program.
Former Gardiner Tertiary Scholar Chelsea Hicks reflected on how scholarship support helped her pursue nursing and midwifery and build a career contributing to regional communities.
Together, their stories demonstrated how an initial investment can create opportunities and benefits that extend well beyond the original project or program.
The power of people
Gardiner Foundation CEO Allan Cameron brought the evening’s stories together in his address on the Power of People, reflecting on the importance of conversations, relationships and networks in creating lasting change.
His message resonated across a room where everyone had a connection to Gardiner’s story, whether through a scholarship, leadership program, research partnership, community initiative or industry collaboration.
Over 25 years, Gardiner has invested more than $43.6 million in research and innovation, supporting advances in dairy genetics, pasture management, farm productivity and manufacturing. A further $4.2 million has supported scholarships and leadership development, helping people build skills and contribute to the industry’s future.
A toast to the future
The evening concluded with a toast led by Victorian dairy farmer and Gardiner-supported Nuffield Scholar Sally Bethune.
Growing up near Yarram in Gippsland, Sally experienced first-hand the strong connections that characterise dairy communities. Now operating Bethune Lane Dairy near Lake Boga, she is exploring how value-adding can strengthen dairy businesses and regional communities.
Reflecting on the changing nature of dairy communities and the importance of investing in people, Sally captured the spirit of the evening in her prepared remarks:
“The future of the dairy industry is in the people who are the industry.”
Guests then raised bottles of Bethune Lane Dairy chocolate milk in a fitting tribute to the Foundation’s first 25 years and the people who will shape its future.
Guided throughout the evening by Master of Ceremonies Tom Newton, himself a former Gardiner-supported leadership program participant, the celebration reinforced a simple but powerful message: Gardiner’s legacy extends beyond the projects it has funded to the people, partnerships and opportunities that continue to create lasting impact.
Twenty-five years on, the Gardiner Effect continues.
Explore Gardiner Foundation’s 25-Year Impact Report to discover more about the people, projects and partnerships shaping Victorian dairy and its communities: https://gardinerfoundation.com.au/about/our-impact/