Dairying Women’s Award Winners Announced

5 April 2016
Dairying Women’s Award Winners Announced

Fonterra would like to congratulate the 2016 Dairy Woman of the Year winner, Rebecca Keoghan.

Keoghan wins a place on the 11-month Global Women Breakthrough Leaders programme, sponsored by Fonterra, which was announced at the Dairy Women’s Network conference in Hamilton.

Fonterra’s acting managing director People and Culture, Janette Rosanowski, said Fonterra was pleased to sponsor both the award and leadership in dairying. She said Rebecca was a positive role model for women in the industry.

“Rebecca ticks all of the boxes, is highly motivated with strong passion and drive, and a great ambassador for the dairy industry at every level,” Rosanowski said.

Keoghan is a Landcorp business manager, Westland Milk Products director, NZ Dairy Industry Awards Dairy Manager of the Year Award team leader, OSPRI Northern South Island committee member, Keoghan Farm director with her husband Nathan and mother of two.

Meanwhile, Fonterra farm manager Lisa Hicks won the Dairy Community Leadership Award.

The award recognises a dairying woman who’s making a significant contribution in her rural community, through leadership and support.

Lisa is the Dairy Women’s Network Manawatu Regional Group Convenor and helped establish the Ohakune Dairy NZ discussion group.

She’s hosted local and international agri students from a number of organisations and institutions and also holds regular on-farm field days to share what dairy farming is about to urban children.

She’s also mentored students who have been in trouble with the law helping them turn their lives around through visits to the Hicks’ farm.

Lisa and her partner Graeme Sorensen manage an 800 cow, 400 hectare, dairy farm in Ohakune but she started off on a Hawke’s Bay beef farm where she was raised. She switched to dairy farming in 2007. Lisa and Graeme's vision is to purchase their own dairy farm and assist others to excel through a supportive environment in on-farm training and skill development.

Fonterra’s general manager of NZ Industry Affairs, Jo Finer, says: “Lisa is a lifelong and passionate learner that sets herself and others high standards. Her cultural awareness, inclusiveness and natural warmth are a credit to her.”

ENDS

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