For South Gippsland dairy farmer Graeme Nicoll, the real joy of dairy farming lies in its challenges, and in the shared strength of a connected industry.
Graeme has farmed with his wife at Fish Creek for more than 25 years. In 2010, with support from the Gardiner Foundation, he was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship to explore resilience in dairy farming systems. The experience, he says, came at exactly the right time.
“To be a successful dairy farmer, you’ve got to be pretty focused — head down, bum up. But sometimes it’s really important to get out and see how your business fits in a global perspective.”
That global perspective reshaped how Graeme viewed both his farm and the wider industry. During his travels, he saw how successful agricultural businesses around the world were built on collaboration and collective effort.
“The industries that thrive are the ones where people step up and work together to make things better. That collegiate approach has always been a strength of the Victorian dairy industry.”
Graeme’s Nuffield experience also sparked a passion for leadership. Today, he serves as Chair of the Australian Dairy Industry Sustainability Framework Committee, helping guide the industry toward a more sustainable future.
He credits the Gardiner Foundation for playing a vital role in building that capacity within the industry.
“The Gardiner Foundation helped me understand where our business and our industry sit in the bigger picture. The people who started the Foundation 25 years ago recognised that the real strength of our industry is its people. Investing in their development is what keeps the Victorian dairy industry strong.”
Watch Graeme’s story below to hear more about how gaining a global perspective shaped his approach to farming, leadership, and the future of dairy.