Leigh Sales AM is one of Australia’s most recognised and respected journalists.

For almost twelve years, she anchored the ABC’s flagship evening current affairs program, 7.30, as well as being the face of major news coverage for the network, including federal elections and budget nights. She has been a foreign correspondent based in Washington DC, covered various rounds including national security and politics, and worked for TV, radio, print and digital. She is now the presenter of the ABC’s beloved Australian Story program. She is the author of four books: Detainee 002: The Case of David Hicks (2007), On Doubt (2009), Well Hello (2021) and the national bestseller Any Ordinary Day (2018).  She co-hosts a wildly popular podcast called Chat 10, Looks 3 with her friend Annabel Crabb. It attracts hundreds of thousands of downloads each month, performs sell-out live shows around Australia and covers subjects ranging from arts and culture to friendship and grief.  Leigh Sales has been recognised with many honours and awards, including three Walkley awards for journalism and an Order of Australia for her public service. She has also been awarded an honorary doctorate from Edith Cowan University.  She has two sons and studies the cello in her spare time.

Paul Roderick, a fifth-generation dairy farmer from Harrisville in Queensland’s Scenic Rim, is set to become Chair Elect of Dairy Australia. With 30 years of hands-on farming experience and a lifetime of commitment to the dairy industry, Paul has been instrumental in shaping both his family business and the broader agricultural community. At the helm of Roderick’s Dairy, Paul and his wife Linda manage a 600-acre operation that milks 400 Friesian cows, producing over three million litres of milk annually. The farm combines a Partial Mixed Ration (PMR) system with advanced irrigation technologies, emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and strategic reinvestment.

Paul’s impact extends far beyond the farm gate. His leadership roles include Chair of Subtropical Dairy, where he was pivotal in establishing the Young Dairy Network (YDN) Queensland. He also served 11 years as a Director of Premium Milk Ltd, negotiating on behalf of Queensland dairy farmers with Lactalis. Currently a member of the Australian Dairy Conference Board and an EastAUSmilk District Councillor, Paul is deeply involved in the future of dairy. His extensive experience in advocacy, research, development, and extension has positioned him as a respected voice in the industry.

Nathan has been involved in Agriculture all his life.  From milking cows as a kid through to an extensive career in prime lamb, merino wool and beef production, he has a passion for improving the profitability, productivity, and overall performance of agricultural businesses. His approach is based upon a unique blend of science, humour and inspiration to challenge traditional thinking.  Nathan provides advice to individual clients, works with a number of producer groups, is a keynote speaker, guest lecturer and is involved within various industry projects. He is based in Inverleigh, Victoria.

Clint Stephens is a first-generation dairy farmer who started his business from scratch on leased farms in Southeast Queensland in 2008, and now milks 550 cows across two sites. As a young farmer he was told it couldn’t be done, “unless you inherit a property, the cost of dairy ownership is simply out of reach”. He and wife, Joanna, have shown what looking for opportunities and the power of goals can achieve. They have increased their milking herd year-on-year for more than a decade and now operate both leased and owned milking platforms. Clint holds a Bachelor of Agribusiness from the University of Queensland and worked full-time in Rural & Commercial banking until CGS Farms reached some key milestones of farm ownership and profitability. His secret to defying the odds in the Queensland dairy industry is a positive mindset and a long-range strategy. He learnt quickly not to let the harsh realities of farming define the business in the short term. From humble beginnings, Clint is now focused on systemising both dairies and attracting a talented team to secure CGS Farms ongoing success.

Don and Jen Stolp have carved a remarkable path in the dairy industry, bridging their New Zealand heritage with their life and business in Australia. Born and raised on a dairy farm in Ashburton, New Zealand, Don discovered his love for farming and machinery at a young age, working side-by-side with his father and grandfather and embraced full-time work on the family farm. Jen joined the farming world in 2006, coming from a non-farming background but quickly developing a deep respect and enthusiasm for calf-rearing. Under the guidance of Don’s mother, she honed her skills and embraced the farming lifestyle. In 2009, they moved to Australia, driven by the desire to explore new opportunities in agriculture. Their journey included stints in sheep and crop farming, dairy heifer rearing, and even cattle truck driving, but dairy farming ultimately called them back. They accepted a management role on a dairy farm in Kongorong, South Australia, where they excelled. After two years, they were offered a share-farming partnership. By 2017, they became 50% partners in Moana Dairies, and in 2020, they took full ownership. Now, with almost 15 years in Australia, 8 years at their share-farming position, and two children, Don and Jen have built a sustainable business that embodies their values and dedication to dairy farming. Their journey from New Zealand to Australia reflects a commitment to growth, resilience, and community within the dairy industry.

Claire is a lawyer and farmer near Dubbo, NSW. In 2012, Claire and her husband Brendan started their farm business when both 28 years of age. BoothAg now produces irrigated crops and run a complimentary breeding and trading livestock operation. Prior to moving to Dubbo, Claire worked in large-scale agribusiness and the not-for-profit sector relating to children’s disabilities. Clients seek out Claire for her advice in relation to converting family farms into family corporates, and succession planning. Recently Claire has been approached to build syndicates for family farmers looking to purchase large scale agricultural assets. Claire is a 2017 Nuffield Scholar, who investigated if there was a link between financial literacy, profitability, and debt confidence, in relation to farm succession. As a side hustle in 2024 Claire created a café and art gallery ‘The Buckenbah Collective Project’ enables Claire to look at how a bank views farm equity – as part of an experiment to extract wealth from the farm balance sheet, to invest in ‘off-farm’ projects such as commercial, industrial, and retail property development and investment – hoped to be a case study for other families wanting to create “farm” and “off-farm” wealth portfolios. On a personal level, Brendan and Claire are parents to two young children (Lach 8 & Lucy 4) and are belatedly learning the art of slowing down, river-side picnics and building cubbies in the backyard.

Greg was raised on a sheep; beef & cropping property Nth NSW and now lives with his family near Huskisson in the Shoalhaven region of NSW. He started his career in dairy herd management in the Riverina then moved into Regional Extension at Dairy NSW looking after Sydney to Bega and across to Wagga Wagga, while also leading the Young Dairy Network across the state for 7 years. In the last 4 years he’s taken on the Agribusiness Program Lead at Dairy Australia which sees him working across all dairying regions assisting in delivering research, development, extension, & education programs that focus on improving farm profitability and sustainability. He’s a keen diver, fisherman, wannabe triathlete and wrangler of 3 teenage children in his spare time.

Rebecca Fing of House Paddock Training and Consulting has been helping farming businesses think strategically and provide a safer, more productive work environment for 20 years. Based in Goondiwindi, Rebecca provides Business Strategy, WHS and HR consulting services to farmers and small business. Having been on over 600 farms across six states, Rebecca has seen it done well (and not so well!) and loves sharing what she has seen and learnt along the way. Bec runs programs to help farmers and small businesses improve business strategy, WHS and HR through workshops, industry programs and online courses and is focused on practical, real solutions to everyday problems. Whether it is the big picture planning or the more detailed side of the business, Bec takes a no frills, practical approach from the ground up. “Process and adoption over paperwork” and “engagement from the outset” are two mantras Bec subscribes to when helping businesses, particularly with WHS and HR. Formal qualifications as well as an active and established relationship with the relevant regulatory bodies for WHS and HR ensure that the advice Bec provides, while practical, is well founded and credible.  Shes also a huge advocate for the people in Dairy site which is a win / win. She also is part of her own family farm within the region so can “walk the talk”.

Richard is Professor of Carbon Farming at the University of Melbourne and science leader in the Net Zero Agriculture Cooperative Research Centre  His research focuses on carbon farming and accounting towards carbon neutral agriculture, managing extreme climate events and options for agriculture to respond to a changing climate. Richard is a science advisor to the Australian, New Zealand, UK and EU governments, the International Livestock Research Institute and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization on climate change adaptation, mitigation and policy development in agriculture. Richard was recently named on the Reuters list of the world’s 1,000 most influential climate scientists and was appointed in 2021 as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. Richard developed the first greenhouse gas accounting tools, for all sectors of agriculture in Australia, that now forms an agreed national standard for agriculture.

Andy is a dairy veterinarian with experience in clinical practice, academia, industry and government. Andy commenced working at Dairy Australia in February this year, in the position of Sustainable Animal Care Manager, where he is tasked with managing the dairy industry’s commitments and targets under the Animal Care Commitment of the Australian Dairy Sustainability Framework. Andy came to Dairy Australia from Agriculture Victoria where he was the Principal Veterinary Officer (Cattle), supporting the Chief Veterinary Officer through the provision of technical, policy and strategic advice. Prior to this, Andy worked with Zoetis International, overseeing projects to identify, develop and demonstrate value propositions for Zoetis’ global ruminant health portfolio.

Sarah Crosthwaite is a 2023 Nuffield Scholar who recently completed a global study on enhancing mental health and wellbeing in farming communities. An Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Sarah founded Open Road Counselling, a specialised telehealth service designed to reach and support farmers, their families, and farm workers with compassionate, tailored mental health care, no matter their location. She also serves on the advisory board for the National Centre for Farmer Health, where she brings a vital farmer perspective to advancing mental health initiatives in agriculture. In addition to her work in mental health, Sarah is actively involved in the daily operations of her family’s dairy farm in Northeast Victoria, which she runs with her husband, Stuart. With experience across various aspects of the business, Sarah now manages the farm’s administrative functions while continuing hands-on work during busy seasons like calving. Combining her farming background with mental health expertise, Sarah is dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of rural communities.

Ashlee brings a unique blend of firsthand farming experience and professional expertise to the Australian dairy industry. Growing up on a dairy farm, she developed a deep appreciation for the sector, which she has channelled into a career spanning over a decade in agricultural policy, issues management, and stakeholder engagement. In her role at Dairy Australia, Ashlee leads the industry’s issues management function, including biosecurity threats like Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), while fostering strong relationships with government and industry stakeholders.  Her leadership during significant industry events, including managing disaster relief efforts, highlights her dedication to supporting Australian dairy farmers. A graduate in Agricultural Science with further studies in ruminant nutrition and agribusiness, Ashlee combines technical expertise with strategic vision, making her a trusted voice on issues shaping the future of dairy.  As a panellist in “From Farm to Front Page,” she will share strategies for tackling the dairy industry’s most pressing issues and driving resilience for the future.

Mark operates a dryland pasture-based dairy farm in partnership with his wife, Sam, situated 5 km west of Colac in southwest Victoria. They focus on milking registered Holsteins and embody the values of a fourth-generation dairy farming family. Mark is passionate about the future of the dairy industry and dedicated to advocating for farmers. As the President of Dairy Farmers Victoria, he actively represents the interests of dairy farmers, ensuring their voices are heard in industry discussions. Mark is involved in initiatives that promote sustainable farming practices and improve livelihoods.

Proud to be working with some of the world’s most innovative and sustainable dairy farmers. Having an educational background in farming I enjoy supporting the transformation of dairy to make us fit for the future. My and you team create the data foundation with all our farmer owners stand on and facilitate the knowledge sharing which is key for us to develop as a whole.

Nicolas has provided people leadership for DairyNZ’s science team since the start of 2023. His role primarily involves contributing to science direction, ensuring DairyNZ works in the right areas and partners with the right organisations, developing people’s skills and making best use of their talents, and ensuring DairyNZ communicates the value and impact of their science. Nicolas has research expertise in technology (particularly robotic milking), farm systems, grazing, and cow behaviour. During his career he has built multidisciplinary teams and successfully developed and led large work programmes with others across the sector.

Nicolas is forward-thinking and a naturally positive person. He has the ability to look at the big picture, build connections with people, and bring them together to tackle challenges and develop viable solutions. “It ranges from setting up large programmes in association with external organisations to building productive working relationships with other business units internally,” says Nicolas. “I don’t say it lightly that we are a world-class organisation. It is a privilege to be able to support them to grow and shine while making a difference for farmers and the sector.”

Originally from Argentina, Nicolas has always been interested in science, and after completing his Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Buenos Aires which included a period at the University of Sydney, he gained a PhD in Veterinary Science, also at the University of Sydney.

After graduating from University of Melbourne Veterinary Science in 1990, John worked in a mixed dairy vet practice at Camperdown in SW Victoria until 2013. From the late 1990’s, after completing a Masters program in Dairy Medicine and Management, he spent a large portion of each year involved with industry funded Australian national animal health and feedbase programs including Countdown and InCalf. John completed a PhD program in 2016 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison conducting milk harvesting research with Professor Doug Reinemann. In addition, he had previously completed membership examinations with the Australian and NZ College of Veterinary Scientists in ruminant nutrition. Following a research and advisory role at Anexa/Cognosco in NZ, he joined Dairy Australia in 2019 and is the Principal Scientist for the organisation. Through his various industry roles, John has presented at conferences and workshops in twelve countries, primarily on dairy animal health and milk harvesting topics. His family remain based in Camperdown, South West Vic.

Hayden is a dairy farmer just south of Eltham, Taranaki on the west coast of NZ. He, alongside his wife Alecia and three children own and operate a 420 cow farm in a split calving system. Before going dairy farming, Hayden completed a PhD in Precision Agriculture and undertook the development and rollout of the Rapid Pasture Meter, for which he holds the patent. He also worked as the Innovations manager for C-Dax Systems. Hayden has a passion for agricultural research and sits on the board of Dairy Trust Taranaki who run four research and demonstration farms in the Taranaki region. He loves finding the balance between the research process and the commercial realities of farming and adopting new ideas and innovations to their own dairy farming business.

Oli is VP of Special Projects at FarmLab, and has been working with Meat & Livestock Australia, AgriFutures and the Clean Energy Regulator for the past 2 years to scale soil carbon baselining and decarbonize supply chains.

Oli has been a grape grower in McLaren Vale since 2015, and founded the SA AgriTech Meetup, bringing together a community of more than 2,000 developers, farmers, and entrepreneurs interested in the agricultural technology space to develop novel solutions in AgTech.

Central Queensland cattle producer, beef industry innovator and agricultural advocate. Over three decades Josie and her husband Blair have built their family cattle producing operation into a dynamic branded beef powerhouse, supplying premium home-grown product to more than 30 countries under their own stable of Signature Beef brand labels including Kimberley Red, Oino Gustus and Angus Pastoral Company. Following several years of planning and two years of construction, they have also recently opened their own on-farm abattoir, the first greenfield processing plant to be built in Queensland for almost three decades. A bold move to bring processing “back to the bush”, the 50,000 head state-of-the-art bespoke plant, complete with its own on-farm village providing permanent accommodation for 70 employees, completes the vertical integration of the Angus family’s own supply chain from paddock to plate, the latest step in an ongoing dedicated quest to produce the world’s best beef.

Annelies Nijskens is the founder and brewery manager of Madocke Beer Brewing Company on the Gold Coast, the only Belgian owned and operated brewery in Australia. Moved to Australia in 2016 with husband and children, purposely to open a Belgian Style Craft Brewery after a career change. Bound by visa restrictions, several setbacks, and from starting a brewery at their home garage to opening their bigger brewery in the midst of the Covid craze, Madocke made name and fame within the craft beer industry. Resulting in many Gold medal winning beers and being crowned Champion Independent Small Australian Brewery at the Independent Beer Awards 2023. Annelies currently also sits on the Board of Directors for the Independent Brewers Association, and is member of the Food & Beverage Industry Reference Group. Her journey highlights how passion and persistence can turn challenges into success. From a restrictive garage setup to an award-winning brewery, the story exemplifies how overcoming setbacks can lead to triumph.