The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) announced the nominees for positions to be contested in the upcoming 2022 VFF Elections on 3 November.
VFF Interim CEO and Acting Returning Officer Robert Taylor said elections would be held for a number of positions.
“The VFF is pleased with the level of interest among our membership to take on these important roles to be the voices of the Victorian farming community.”
The elected positions that will be contested and the nominees who will contest them, are as follows:
VFF President
• Emma Germano
• Meg Parkinson
• Paul Mumford
VFF Vice-President
• Danyel Cucinotta
• Bernie Free
VFF/UDV President
• Mark Billing
• Ian Morris
VFF Livestock Commodity Council – Councillor (Additional Position)
• Tom Gooden
• Bradley Venning
Mr Taylor stated that where other elected positions were uncontested, or ineligible nominations were received, those nominees would be contacted.
Election results will be formally announced in December 2022.
Voting in the 2022 VFF Elections opens for all eligible VFF members on Monday 14 November 2022 and closes at 5.00pm on Tuesday 13 December 2022.
How to vote
The 2022 VFF Elections are being conducted via postal vote and all eligible voters will receive a voting pack. Please see below for more details on how to vote.
Members with two (2) voting rights:
Will receive two (2) voting packs for Nominee 1 and Nominee 2.
Members with one (1) voting right:
Will receive one (1) voting pack for Nominee 1 only.
Enclosed in each individual voting pack:
- An information letter with an overview on the 2022 VFF Elections, how to vote and key dates.
- Candidate statements for the roles applicable to your membership/commodity.
- Ballot papers applicable to your membership/commodity.
- A Reply Paid envelope to return your completed ballot papers in.
How to vote:
- Each nominee must complete all of their ballot papers by placing the number [1] in the box next to the name of their preferred candidate.
- Each nominee must then place the completed ballot papers in their unique Reply Paid envelope supplied. Please note if your household has received multiple voting packs, do not combine ballots in a single envelope. Each envelope has a unique ID code that is used to mark individual voters off the role.
- Post your sealed Reply Paid envelope at your earliest convenience back to the VFF by dropping it in an Australia Post red street posting box, or by lodging at an Australia Post Office. You can locate your nearest street posting box or Post Office online at www.auspost.com.au/locate
Please ensure you follow these instructions and post your ballot using the enclosed Reply Paid envelope so that it is received at VFF by 5.00pm, Tuesday 13 December 2022. **It is advised that some regional and rural areas allow for delays in receiving and sending due to severe weather conditions that are causing network disruptions across parts of Victoria and New South Wales. **
Voting opens:
Monday 14 November 2022
Voting closes:
Tuesday 13 December 2022 at 5.00pm
Please note ballots received beyond this date will not be accepted. Ballots received by email or fax will also not be accepted.
Election forums
2022 VFF President Election Forum
Date: Thursday 17 November, 7.00pm-8.00pm AEDT
Who: VFF President Candidates (Emma Germano, Meg Parkinson and Paul Mumford)
Where: Online forum via Zoom
Registrations: Please click here to register. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
2022 VFF Vice-President Election Forum
Date: Tuesday 22 November, 7.00pm-8.00pm AEDT
Who: VFF Vice-President Candidates (Danyel Cucinotta and Bernie Free)
Where: Online forum via Zoom
Registrations: Please click here to register. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
VFF Vice-President Candidate Forum
Date: Thursday 24 November, 7.00pm-8.00pm AEDT
Who: VFF/UDV President Candidates (Mark Billing and Ian Morris)
Where: Online forum via Zoom
Registrations: Please click here to register. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Further information
For further information on the 2022 VFF Elections including enquiries about our voting process or candidates, please contact:
Victorian Farmers Federation
P 1300 882 833
VFF Returning Officer
E [email protected]