Words from the wise

THE DairySage mentoring program, which helps to attract and retain young people in the dairy industry, is returning to Gippsland in June.
DairySage has had great success in the past and Project Manager Karen Baum hopes it will produce benefits for a new group of aspiring mentees and their mentors with a workshop in Traralgon on 14 and 15 June.
The workshop will be held at the Latrobe Convention Centre and will connect young people in the dairy industry with experienced mentors.
Open to all ages, the program has particular success in developing the knowledge, skills and experience of young people in the dairy industry.
Ms Baum said the program has been offered at different locations in Victoria but this Traralgon program will be first time it has been run in Gippsland since November 2008.
A mentor in the 2008 program, Longwarry dairy farm owner and chairman of GippsDairy John Versteden, said he enjoyed being able to pass on his experiences “and talk about my mistakes, too”.
“I’m passionate about playing a role in the development of young people in the dairy industry. It’s very satisfying to know that I can help people develop both personally and professionally.”
John was matched with assistant farm manager Wendy Whelan from Toora who has been able to achieve some of her goals since taking part as a mentee.
“One of my goals was to invest off-farm and to buy a house. I’m now in my second year of home ownership and I probably wouldn’t have done it without DairySage,” Ms Whelan said.
The new program has been supported by funding from the Gardiner Foundation.
DairySage was developed by WestVic Dairy in conjunction with The People in Dairy Program and includes training and tools for both mentors and mentees. People interested in participating in the free program can contact Ms Baum on 0417 398 978 or visit the WestVic Dairy website at www.westvicdairy.com.au.