At the Gardiner Foundation Annual General Meeting, Chairman Chris Nixon announced the appointment of two new Directors to the Board. Effective immediately, Professor Robert Clark AM is appointed as a Director, replacing Dr Graham Mitchell AO who retired after 9 years service on the Board.

Mike Taylor AO has been selected as Chairman Elect and will take up this role late in 2010 before formal appointment at the November 2010 AGM. At that time Mr Taylor will replace Chris Nixon who will retire after 10 years as Chairman of the Foundation Board.

Chris Nixon, Ian MacAulay, Professor Paul Moughan and Doug Chant will continue as Directors and are within their current three year terms.

The appointments of new Directors are made on the recommendation of a Selection Committee, established in accordance with the Foundation’s Constitution, with representation from the three Members of the Gardiner Foundation. As Chairman of the Gardiner Foundation, Chris Nixon chaired the Selection Committee. GF Member Representatives who served on the selection panel were: Chris Griffin, President of United Dairyfarmers of Victoria, representing the Victorian Farmers Federation Property Trust, Anthony Bourke, President of the Milk Processors Association of Victoria Inc and John Williams, President of the Victorian Dairy Products Association/Australian Dairy Products Federation.

Chris Nixon said “The Foundation engaged an independent consultant to conduct this search for new Directors. Advertisements were placed in newspapers across Australia and New Zealand and over 100 applications were received and considered by the Selection Committee. This strong interest and the very high calibre of applicants is recognition that the Foundation has become an integral part of the Victorian dairy industry during its first nine years of operation”.

“The Foundation is embedded in the dairy industry’s priority setting structure and uses its funding agility to make an impact at farm, factory and community level to benefit the Victorian dairy industry, dairying communities, and the wider community”, Mr Nixon added.

Professor Robert Clark was the Inaugural Director of the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research and has a strong background in research and development. He is currently on the Board of Horticulture Australia Ltd, and previously served as Deputy Chair of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC). Professor Clark was appointed a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for service to agricultural science as an academic, educator and administrator. He received a 2000 Australian Medal of Agriculture from the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology which reflected his commitment and contribution to Australian agriculture. He also received a Centenary Medal recognising his contribution to community and regional planning (Tasmania Together), a 20 year Strategic Plan for Tasmania.

Mr Mike Taylor comes from a distinguished career in the public service, having most recently served as Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Earlier roles were as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, and Secretary of the Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Victorian Department of Agriculture. Mr Taylor is currently Chairman of the Murray Darling Basin Authority.

Chris Nixon said “The inaugural Board of the Foundation has been extremely effective in setting a strategic agenda and having stewardship of significant and independent funds since the green fields start up of the Foundation in 2000. Despite the effectiveness of the current Board it is time to renew and refresh the Board and progressive succession of new Board members will continue beyond 2010”.