Board of Management

The five-person Western Dairy Board comprises a minimum of three farmers (one of whom must be chair) and a maximum of two persons with complimentary business skills. Advisory panel members are appointed from time to time to provide support to the directors in the management of special projects.

The board appointments are for a three year term, with an option for a second term. The AGM is conducted in September of each year.

The 2010/2011 board comprises:

• Dale Hanks, Harvey – Chair (Appointed 2009)
• Victor Rodwell, Boyanup - Vice Chair (Appointed 2010)
• Peter Oates, Busselton  (Appointed 2008)
• Oscar Negus Snr, Busselton (Appointed 2009)
• Brendon Hurst, National Foods (Appointed 2010)

Three special advisory panel members (no voting rights) also join with the board to add support in the area of natural resource management, human resource management and nutrients:

• Lorelle Fry, Benger
• Elaine Haddon, Busselton
• Kirk Reynolds, CSBP

Dale Hanks

Dale has been farming for 20 years as a third generation farmer on the family farm at Harvey. During this time he has successfully broached and implemented an effect succession plan that has resulted in a strong and expanded business.
The farm growth has included a larger asset base and a new dairy and associated infrastructure. Dale is passionate about the dairy industry in WA and fully intends to remain a successful contributor to this industry.

Contact Details
Dale Hanks
Harvey
Tel:  +61 8 9729 1194
Email: leannehanks@bigpond.com

Victor Rodwell

Peter Oates

Contact Details
Peter Oates
Busselton
Tel: +61 8 9753 3244
Email: peteroates@westnet.com.au

Oscar Negus (Snr)

Farming in Tutunup, Oscar has driven the growth of the family farm from a dry land operation and a 300-cow herd in 2000, to an irrigation farm calving 1400 cows per year in the space of nine years.
Oscar was an inaugural Challenge Dairy Cooperative board member and comes to the Western Dairy board with a solid understanding of the industry and corporate structure and governance.
Together with his wife Wendy (an inaugural Western Dairy board member) and son Oscar, he runs the family company, Negus Enterprises Pty Ltd.

Oscar has been an avid supporter of Western Dairy activities, including hosting a Dairy Innovation Day on their Tutanup property soon after the installation of the Centre Pivots and completion of their new dairy.

Contact Details
Oscar Negus
Tutunup
Tel: 08 9753 2112
Email: negusent@activ8.net.au

Brendon Hurst