After they married they started with cropping & sheep farming on 2000 acres. In 1999 bought another farm which had a dairy which they farmed with other family members until 2006 & they dissolved the partnership between themselves & bid on farms & assets they wanted. They restarted with 280 dairy cows with 1000 acres plus they leased 500 acres for cropping until 2010 when Paul suffered bowel disease. Over the next 12 months whilst Paul was undergoing treatment Robyn, plus a worker & one of their sons ran the business. In 2011 they were nominated & won Red Sky Dairy Business of the Year for 2010. From 2011 – 2017 they went on to buy another property each year ending up with 5300 acres milking 700 cows. They took on their first visa holder in 2017 to cover staff shortages. Now have 9 visa holders all from Phillipines with Ag Science degrees. Housing is provided by them & eventually most want to bring their families out but there is no guarantee that after 4 years on 482 visas that the visa holders will qualify for residency status. Sam Birrell, local MP to look into the issue.
Secretary’s Report: Jennifer Rodger – Nil
Director’s Reports: Nil
Attendance: Ivan Routley – 5 apologies, 21 in attendance including 2 zoom – 72.41%
Fellowship: Judy McDonald – Leon Boyd’s birthday 18/09; Geoff/Dot Stewart’s anniversary 05/09; Join Date: June Hewson 04/09/00 – 22 years; Sally Rose 04/09/17 – 5 years; Chris Sutton 17/09/12 – 10 years
Heads n Tails – Geoff Holmes
Mark McNamara – Read Lou Hamon’s facebook post on his recent health issue & Club members extended their best wishes for a speedy recovery to Lou
Terry Brennan – thanks to members who assisted in yesterday’s BBQ @ Show n Shine in Shepparton
President Rex Shields – Next week club to vote on Regionalisation Project. Decision to commence meeting @ 6.00pm to enable close by 7.30pm in consideration of Queen Elizabeth II televised funeral commencing @ 8.00pm. Nathalia Rotary Club have been invited to join our meeting.
District Secretary: Chris Sutton – Regionalisation Project - Every member has a vote & the President then votes on behalf of the Club. Voting for President opens between 15-29 September. Creating Tomorrow Rotary has links for more information for members to review before next week’s meeting.
Meeting closed: 8:05pm
