The VFF today announced the outcome of its election for the positions of President and Vice President at its annual conference in Ballarat.
“I am pleased to announce that Mr David Jochinke has been elected as President and Mr Brett Hosking has been voted in as Vice President,” said Mr Stephen Sheridan, VFF Chief Executive Officer and Returning Officer.
“The Victorian Farmers Federation is fortunate to have such a strong leadership team to guide its strategic direction, particularly this year with a State election only 18 weeks away.
“Our President and Vice President, along with our Directors and skilled team, are very focused on driving positive outcomes for our farmers and their regional and rural communities.
“I acknowledge those who nominated for these positions as an election can be quite daunting,” he said. “We at VFF value all our members and the time they contribute to supporting our activities, particularly those who put their hands up to take on these roles.
“I congratulate David and Brett on their appointment and look forward to working with them and the Board to achieve great results in the coming year,” he said.
The Victorian Farmers Federation Board comprises of David Jochinke as President and Brett Hosking as Vice President, supported by Directors Allan Bullen, Brett Hosking, Emma Germano, Adam Jenkins, Ross Johns, and Leonard Vallance.
Elections were also held for the VFF Livestock Group. The 2018 Council will comprise of Leonard Vallance (President), James Kirkpatrick (Vice President), Angus Zilm, Peter Star, Michael Craig, Scott Young, Steve Harrison, Kate Dorahy, Ben Duxson, Graeme Maher, Faye Tuchtan and Mark Ritchie.
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About the VFF President and Vice President
David Jochinke
David is a third generation farmer who operates a family farm at Murra Warra (30km north of Horsham) producing various broadacre crops and finishing prime lambs.
He studied a Diploma of Applied Science at Longerenong College. He is also the recipient of two scholarships – Nuffield Australia and the Australian Rural Leadership Program. He used these opportunities to gain a broad understanding of global agriculture issues and to build advocacy and leadership skills.
David is an active contributor to his local community holding memberships of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days Committee, the Wallup Ag Group, the Northern Wimmera CFA Brigade and a committee of the Birchip Cropping Group.
David has been the President of the Victorian Farmers Federation since 2016. He is also a Director of the National Farmers Federation and a Director of Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water.
Brett Hosking
Brett Hosking is a fifth generation farmer running a mixed business in Quambatook in Victoria’s Mallee. Together with his wife and four daughters they grow wheat, barley, canola, lentils and field peas, along with sheep and cattle.
Brett has a long standing involvement in the Australian grains industry and served as Victorian Farmers Federation Grains Group President from 2013-17. He is a graduate of the GrainGrowers leadership program and currently serves as a Director of GrainGrowers Limited, a member of the National Farmers Federation Economic Policy and Farm Business Standing Committee. He is an active member of his local community, with involvement in many organisations that contribute to his community’s wellbeing
About the VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation is an active, powerful lobby group dedicated to the interests of farmers and making a difference to communities. With a strong record of successful political and industry advocacy and leadership, the VFF has generated substantial benefits for the agriculture sector since its formation in 1979. Our vision is to create an environment for farmers that enables profitable, safe and sustainable production, within a community that values and respects the farm sector.
The VFF consists of eight commodity groups; dairy (United Dairyfarmers of Victoria), livestock, grains, horticulture, chicken meat, eggs, pigs and Flowers Victoria – and expert committees representing; water, land management, agricultural and veterinarian chemicals, farm business and rural development and workplace relations.