Members of the Australian dairy industry are set for a night of reflection and celebration when the 25-year anniversary reunion of the Don Campbell Memorial Tour is held in May.
Hosted by GippsDairy, past participants, leaders and hosts of the study tour are invited to come along and reconnect with fellow participants and hear what the initiative has achieved over quarter of a century.
The reunion event will be held at the Oaks at Logan Park in Warragul on Friday 5 May from 5pm. Tickets are $50, and this includes a two-course meal and beverages.
GippsDairy regional extension officer and event organiser, Katherine Byrne, says it will be a night to remember.
“The Don Campbell Memorial Tour gives young members of the dairy industry the opportunity to grow as individuals and expand their careers. This is achieved through leadership and exposure to the wider dairy community and practices,” says Katherine.
“We are looking forward to bringing past participants together and reigniting old connections, while fostering new relationships between people.
“Participants have not only been from the Gippsland region, but also from South Australia, Western Victoria and Northern Victoria – so we’re keen to have everyone come together and acknowledge this special occasion.”
The evening will feature guest speaker and past participant, Graeme Nicoll, who will be sharing his Don Campbell Memorial Tour experience and subsequent career. This will be followed by entertainment supplied by Phil Bowler Caricatures.
Don Campbell was a prominent member of the Gippsland dairy community in the 1990s. His contribution to the formation of GippsDairy was immense – Don recognised that collaboration between regions and sharing knowledge was beneficial to all Australian dairy farmers.
He held the first chairposition position at GippsDairy in 1996 and was honoured for his contribution to the community with the naming of the tour after his sudden death in 1998.
Over 25 years, the study tour has seen over 300 participants who have been involved with the Young Dairy Network. The 2023 tour was held in February, with 15 young dairy farmers in attendance having the opportunity to attend the Australian Dairy Conference.
“The Don Campbell Memorial Tour is as popular as ever, with the past two years having record applications submitted,” Katherine says.
“This will be a celebration of not only what has been achieved in the past, but an acknowledgement that the event has a bright future.
“It has certainly cemented itself as a permanent fixture on the dairy industry events calendar.”
If you have any photographic or video memories of the Don Campbell Memorial Tour or would like further information, please contact Katherine on 0409 487 275 or email katherine.byrne@gippsdairy.com.au
