The Board of the Macalister Demonstration Farm is made up of six dairy industry representatives plus the Chairman. Whilst there is no requirement for members to be farmers there is a preference for a strong farmer representation. Board members serve a two year term with half of them either retiring or up for re-election each year to ensure continuity.
Krystal Bermingham (Chair)
Krystal and her family currently own and manage a dairy farm at Nambrok. Krystal was secretary of the Holstein Australia East Gippsland sub branch for 3 years before joining the MDF board as chair in 2020. Krystal brings practical dairy experience, industry and breeding knowledge, and great enthusiasm to the MDF.
Damien Gibson (Deputy Chair)
Damien has run
Gibsons Groundspread for over 10 years during a period of significant growth. Damien also joined the board in 2017, bringing a strong skill set including: marketing, business management, agronomy, soil science and a particular interest in IT and software development.
Colin Wright
Colin has been a long serving member of the MDF Board, first joining in 1996. He has been an invaluable contributor to the MDF, bringing with him strong financial skills and experience with cattle breeding.
Bree Whittaker
Bree holds a B. Ag Sc (Latrobe) qualification as well as a Cert IV in Training and Assessment. Bree was a Dairy Extension Officer before becoming part of Whittaker Farms. Bree brings a wealth of dairy knowledge to the MDF board, as well as a strong focus and knowledge of finance and bookkeeping. Bree is on the Young Dairy Network (YDN) committee and is a member of the Macalister and East Gippsland Extension Group (MEG).
Sandra Jefford
Sandra completed a Bachelor of Applied Science – Food Technology at Hawkesbury Ag College, before working in several dairy processing companies. Sandra moved to CSIRO for 7 years, and then took up the first Executive Officer position of GippsDairy, again for 7 years. Sandra and her family began dairy farming 18 years ago, and currently operate an organic, partially irrigated farm at Clydebank. Sandra brings a strong management level skill set to the MDF board, as well as a wealth of dairying knowledge.
Billy Marshall
Billy grew up locally and completed a Bachelor of Ag Science at Latrobe University before moving back to Gippsland. Billy has trained as an agronomist with Rodwells and Elders, and recently moved across to Agriculture Victoria as an Irrigation and Extension Officer. Billy brings excellent agronomy and research skills as well as a great working knowledge of the area to the Board.
