Outstanding Service Award celebrates first ever dairy duo

Dairying duo, Lindsay and Ann Jarvis, were recognised as the first couple to receive the Australian Dairy Industry Council’s (ADIC) Outstanding Service Award (OSA) for their collective commitment to dairy at the ADIC Industry Leaders’ Breakfast, 28 November.

ADIC Chair, Noel Campbell said like many men and women who dedicate their lives, professionally and personally to dairy, the Jarvis’ are a team.

“It would be remiss to recognise the efforts of one without the other,” Mr Campbell said.

Addressing a room filled with dairy leaders from across the whole value chain, the couple said they were humbled by the award, which recognises people as the core of what makes the industry work.

“Our ability to thrive (as an industry) requires caring, co-operation, commitment, collaboration and concentration on the wellbeing of our people,” Mrs Jarvis said.

“The best genetics, soils, research breakthroughs and new markets won’t succeed unless we are all fully are committed.”

Describing their partnership as “one part dreamer, one part doer” the Jarvis’ each bring a unique approach and skill set to dairy.

Having spent 31 years as a director at Murray Goulburn, Mr Jarvis, the ‘dreamer’ of the pair has transformed the couple’s 148 year old, 280 hectare dry-land farm into a contour flood irrigation system, used his welding skills to build a swing-over herringbone dairy.

With a belief in educating and encouraging young people and, particularly, women to engage with new challenges, Mrs Jarvis, the ‘doer’ of the pair, managed the family farm and its workers while Lindsay was off farm.  Mrs Jarvis also spent seven years volunteering for the highly respected Dookie College Advisory Committee.

Actively involved in dairy organisations their whole careers, the Jarvis’ are respected members of United Dairyfarmers of Victoria, and have each received an Order of Australia for their service to the dairy industry.

The OSA award has been traditionally presented at the ADIC Dairy Industry Leaders’ Breakfast since 2006, to recognise individual Australians who, through their leadership, dedication and commitment, have provided outstanding service for the benefit of the dairy industry.

For more information about the ADIC Outstanding Service Award, click here.