Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) today congratulated CEO, Ms Natalie Collard, on winning the Community and Government Award category of the 2013 Telstra Victorian Business Women’s Awards, held last night.
The awards, presented at a Gala Dinner at Crown Palladium, recognise women that are agenda-setters, leaders in their fields and an inspiration to other women, celebrating the valuable contribution women make to Australia business.
Ms Collard said she was honoured as well as humbled to receive the award.
“It’s an honour and very humbling to be recognised by your peers in this way,” Ms Collard said.
“To receive this award in the company of so many other wonderfully talented and successful women is an experience that will live with me for a long time.
“This award celebrates the most humble and silent achievers I’ve ever met – Australia’s dairy farmers.
They are dedicated family men and women, active in their communities who, in the course of being dairy farmers, are also employers, environmentalists and veterinarians.
“They also create an amazing product which is in 90% of Aussie homes and helps support a range of Aussie jobs. They are world class by any measure.
“Finally, I owe a great debt of gratitude to my parents, family, friends and colleagues for their love, support, wise counsel and friendship over the course of my career so far.”
President of ADF, Noel Campbell, said he was delighted Ms Collard had been recognised for her work in the public and not-for-profit sectors.
“On behalf of everyone at ADF, I am thrilled to learn of Natalie’s success in winning this award,” Mr Campbell said.
“She has been an outstanding CEO and I know she will continue to advocate on behalf of the dairy industry with skill, passion and perseverance.
“As President of ADF, it has been a pleasure for me to work closely with Natalie in advocating for the industry, and I look forward to this relationship continuing in future.
“To Natalie, on behalf of the Board, we say a heartfelt thank-you and congratulations for all that you have, and will continue to achieve.”
The ADF team said they were thrilled by Natalie’s success in winning the Community and Government Award.
“We couldn’t be happier for Natalie, she is an inspirational leader as well as a good friend and deserves this prestigious award,” the ADF team said.
State/territory winners are eligible to win their national category title. The state/territory winners of the Telstra Business Woman of the Year are also eligible to be named 2014 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year.
Media Contact:
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T: (03) 8621 4200