The primary role of the Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC)’s Board is to provide strategic direction and input towards whole of industry policy development. Comprised of eight members – four directors from Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) and four directors from the Australian Dairy Products Federation (ADPF) – the ADIC Board mutually represents the interests of dairy farmers and dairy processors, providing a unique whole of industry approach to policy and advocacy. The Board is also responsible for approving the ADIC Annual Investment Plan (AAIP) and the allocation of funds to support the development and delivery of the priorities listed in the plan.
Ben Bennett is a seasoned agricultural leader with over 30 years’ experience across dairy farming, red meat processing and national industry representation. As President of Australian Dairy Farmers and Chair of the Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC), he leads strategic coordination across the dairy supply chain, representing farmers, processors and manufacturers in high-level policy engagement, trade negotiations and sustainability initiatives.
Ben combines grassroots insight with executive leadership, having worked from factory floor to boardroom across New Zealand, India and Australia. He is a trusted contributor to national policy development and is committed to evidence-based reform, regional resilience and inclusive decision-making.
He has a graduate diploma in agriculture and a degree in biotechnology and bioprocess engineering.
John has a Graduate Diploma in International Business at Monash University, Bachelor of Economics and Asian Studies at The Australian National University, and a Graduate Certificate of Australian Rural Leadership at James Cook University.
Most recently he was General Manager and Vice President Domestic Sales – Government and Industry Strategy at Saputo Dairy Australia from 2018 – 2022. Prior to that he spent almost two decades at Warrnambool Cheese and Butter (WCB) where his last two roles were Vice President and General Manager – Sales, Marketing and Innovation and General Manager – Sales, Marketing and Innovation. John was responsible for sales, marketing and distribution of WCB’s bulk dairy product, internationally and domestically. He also oversaw the company’s research and development program, as well as warehousing and logistics. Prior to this he held roles at Pacific Foods and Mitsui & Co Ltd.
John was a non-executive director of Australia’s dairy industry peak body, the Australian Dairy Industry Council from 2004 – 2022 and Vice President of the Australian Dairy Products Federation 2016 – 2022. He has also been a director of Dairy Innovation Australia Ltd., Dairy Ingredients Group Australia and the Australian Ingredients Centre.
Natalie Sarich-Dayton is the Chief Executive Officer of Brownes Dairy, a role to which she was appointed in June 2021, becoming the first woman to hold the role in the 137-year history of the company. Before becoming CEO, Natalie was the Director of Sales and Marketing from 2017, having joined the company in 2013 as Marketing Director.
In 2019 and 2020 Natalie’s marketing leadership at Brownes Dairy was recognised with placings in the CM050 list of Australia’s most innovative and effective Chief Marketing Officers.
Natalie has more than 20 years of international experience in marketing, sales and management in multinational consumer goods companies. Prior to her time at Brownes, Natalie was a director of European portfolio development at Coca-Cola Enterprises where she was responsible for the development of energy, sports and functional beverages across Great Britain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden and Norway. She also spent a number of years at Heinz, Danone and Unilever in brand marketing roles within the UK and Australia.
Matthew Trace has a strong passion for dairy farming and dairy advocacy. Dairying on the Sunshine Coast in QLD with his family and a share farmer, he runs a pasture-based operation across two properties reliant on irrigation.
He has a served on a range of dairy industry boards and committees including QDO, Subtropical Dairy and the Dairy Levy Poll advisory committee. He was also a key player in the formation of eastAUSmilk.
With a focus on outcomes and the determination to make the tough decisions, he is committed to strong representation for dairy farmers and aspires to see a growing and prosperous Australian dairy industry.
Hamish Reid is Executive General Manager – Nutritionals and Ingredients at Bega Group. Prior to that Hamish held the role of Executive General Manager and Business Manager – Nutritionals between 2010 and 2020, contributing to the significant growth of the business over that period.
Previously Hamish worked in senior marketing and innovation roles with Fonterra in Asia, the Middle East and New Zealand. Hamish has a MSc from Canterbury University, a Diploma in Dairy Science and Technology from Massey University, has completed the Stanford Executive Program and has graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Hamish retired as Chair of the Infant Nutrition Council of Australia and New Zealand in December 2022.
Heath was elected to the Australian Dairy Farmers Board of Directors in 2021 for his passion towards creating a profitable and sustainable dairy industry.
Heath entered the dairy industry 17 years ago following his career as Process Superintendent of then Australia’s largest goldmine. He purchased in the picturesque hills of Dorrigo and established Misery Mountain Dairy, which currently milks 350 cows. As an advocate for youth in dairy, he is proud to have recently adopted a share farming model with a young local family.
Throughout his career, Heath has sat on numerous boards and committees which has given him critical insight into good governance. He has strived to further his understanding and representation since entering the dairy industry.
Matt Watt is a senior agribusiness executive and long-standing advocate for Australian dairy. He is the Vice Chair of the Australian Dairy Products Federation (ADPF), and is currently Director of Farm Source and Sustainability at Fonterra Oceania, where he leads milk sourcing, sustainability and farmer engagement.
He has more than 15 years’ experience in the dairy industry, and holds a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University.
Ian Noakes is President of the WAFarmers Dairy Council, and a Director on the Australian Dairy Farmers Board. Ian and his wife Helen milk 600 cows on their farm at Forest Grove, south of Margaret River, which they took over in 1988.
Four generations of the Noakes family live on the farm and Ian and Helen now share farm decision-making with their sons Brad and Steve.
Ian is passionate about the cost-effectiveness of home-grown pasture for milk production, and breeding appropriate cows for Australian conditions. He also has a strong interest in natural resource management issues and believes dairy farmers have many opportunities to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.
Ian was previously a Director of Western Dairy. He also works part time for Genetics Australia.
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