Dairy Industry Association of Australia
Industry Association | |
Industry | Food processing |
Founded | 24 March 1986 |
Founder | Australian Dairy Institute Inc. and the Australian Society of Dairy Technology Inc |
Headquarters | Melbourne, Victoria |
Area served | Australia |
Services | Information, networking and professional development for the post-farmgate dairy sector in Australia |
Owner | Dairy Industry Association of Australia |
Website | Dairy Industry Association of Australia |
The Dairy Industry Association of Australia (DIAA) is a not-for-profit industry association for dairy product manufacturers and allied trades.
The DIAA was incorporated on 24 March 1986, following the amalgamation of the Australian Dairy Institute and the Australian Society of Dairy Technology.
The DIAA's mission is to promote excellence in the Australian dairy industry by providing a forum for communication, continuing education, professional growth, recognition and fellowship for all members, sectors and participant organisations involved with the dairy industry.
DIAA's members come from all sectors of the post-farmgate dairy industry and include:
- Owners, managers and staff of dairy product manufacturers big and small
- Staff of companies that supply or service dairy product manufacturers
- Food technologists, scientists, engineers, researchers, microbiologists and nutritionists
- Lecturers, instructors and researchers working for tertiary institutions
- Public servants, regulators and government staff who provide research funding to the food industry
- Students of food science and technology
- Anyone who is interested in and enjoys great dairy products
The DIAA is a member of the Global Dairy Platform[1]
DIAA executives are volunteers, and represent a wide cross-section of the post-farmgate dairy industry. DIAA members are encouraged to join their State executive and participate in the running of the DIAA.
DIAA structure
The DIAA is governed by the State Representative Council (SRC), which meets four times a year to set the policy of the DIAA.The SRC is made up of a representative elected by each State Division, as well as the Federal President, Treasurer, National Executive Officer, Business Development Manager, Chair of the Publications Committee, and the Marketing and Membership Manager. There are also ex-officiary members, as nominated by the SRC relevant to the agenda of each meeting.
The SRC and the National Executive Officer conduct the overall management of the Association. The State Division members of the SRC usually serve a six-year term, advancing through to a two-year term as Federal President.
DIAA history
The DIAA was incorporated on 24 March 1986, through the amalgamation of the Australian Dairy Institute (ADI) and the Australian Society of Dairy Technology (ASDT).
The two organisations had similar goals and a significant cross-membership. Amalgamation was seen as a way to combine resources and deliver value to members at the time of industry rationalisation and falling membership rates.
Australian Dairy Institute
The Australian Dairy Institute began life in the 1890s, as the Butter Factories’ Managers Association.[2]
The Association was conceived by Robert Crowe of Koroit and Tower Hill Butter Factory at the time when the Victorian countryside was under threat from drought, overgrazing, overstocking and plagues of introduced pests. The Association’s founding members were Robert Crowe, John Weatherhead from Camperdown, farmer and factory executive James Goldie, local dairyman James Eccles and Mr Hassell from the Western District.
Guided by the Association’s slogan, ‘Strive to Excel’, dairy factory managers banded together to tackle the problems of product quality, economic conditions, supplier relationships and threats from emerging dairy substitutes such as margarine.
The Association’s first annual conference was held in 1893 at Parer’s on Bourke Street. The 30 delegates included Korumburra’s Jonathan Proud, Trafalgar’s Ed Knox, and Great Northern’s J.S. Graham. The conference’s theme was the responsibilities of factory managers.
In 1895, the Association sponsored a highly competitive cheese contest, which still continues in the form of the DIAA Dairy Product Competitions. Another early accomplishment of the Association was its push to found a dairying school at Werribee, with seed money pledged from member Victorian factories.
With other States joining the Association – NSW in 1906, Tasmania in 1911 and Queensland in 1919 – its name was changed several times, to eventually become the Victorian Dairy Factory Managers and Secretaries Association. The first ‘official’ meeting of the four member states was held on 25 May 1927, presided over by President Elect, D.V. Evershed.
In 1936, under the leadership of A.J. Fraser, factory manager at Foster, the Association became a registered company under the name Australian Institute of Dairy Factory Managers and Secretaries Inc.
In 1942, the Institute launched its official journal, Butter Fats and Solids, edited by Percy Turk. The Institute took full control of the magazine in 1959, under editor Stanley Green.
In 1979, the Institute changed its articles and became the Australian Dairy Institute, with machinery agents welcomed as members. The official journal became known as Australian Dairy Foods.
The full history of the Australian Dairy Institute is detailed in Norman Godbold's 100 Years of Co-Operation.
Australian Society of Dairy Technology
The Australian Society of Dairy Technology (ASDT) was founded in 1945 by food technologists who took the long-term view of the dairy industry. The society’s goal was to advocate for ‘best possible use of all milk’ by improving processing methods and finding better ways to use skim milk as food.[3]
Renowned dairy technologist, John Bryant, had seen the usefulness of the Society of Dairy Technology in England as an industry platform for educating personnel and passing on technical information.[4] Together with industry visionary, Geoffrey Loftus-Hills, Bryant convened a meeting in Sydney on 22 May 1944, to found the NSW division of ASDT.[5]
Other States soon followed: Victoria with 44 members on 21 July 1944; Queensland with 32 members on 2 August 1944; Western Australia with 50 members on 22 October 1944; South Australia with 25 members on 21 November 1944; and Tasmania with 13 members on 25 May 1945.
ASDT’s official publication, the Australian Journal of Dairy Technology, began publication in 1946. The society also held regular conferences and technical meetings.
DIAA's services
The DIAA offers a variety of services to its members and the wider dairy industry. These include dairy product competitions, publications, industry directories, conferences, social events and more.
Information and Resources
- Award-winning Australian Dairy Foods magazine filled with industry news, events, company profiles, market information and more
- Comprehensive online and print industry directory, Australian Dairy Listing
- 65 years of dairy research published in the peer-reviewed Australian Journal of Dairy Technology
- Access to the member-only area of the DIAA website with job ads, Buy & Sell, online Australian Dairy Listing and more
- Regular electronic newsletter with latest DIAA news, events and special offers for members
- Discounts on advertising, conference attendance, etc.
- Advice and information via phone and e-mail
- Online resources, publications, reports and technical manuals
Recognition
- Annual state and national dairy products competitions that feed into the Australian Grand Dairy Awards run by Dairy Australia
- Medals and awards for outstanding service to industry
- Use of ‘member of the DIAA’ logo on corporate material
- Use of ‘proud supporter of the DIAA’ signs at trade shows and events
- Membership pin and certificate
- Life memberships in recognition of service to the DIAA
Networking Opportunities
- Networking with other members at State conferences, social events, golf days, factory tours, quiz nights and more throughout the year
- Meeting international and Australian experts at the Dairy Science World Series conference and technical events
- Mixing with the ‘who’s who’ of the dairy world and celebrating the industry’s achievements at the annual Awards of Excellence Dinner
- Taking advantage of DIAA’s links with other professional organisations in Australia and overseas through joint events and initiatives
- Joining a DIAA state committee and forming close bonds with others passionate about the dairy industry
Professional Development
- Training and education through DIAA technical nights and seminars, and discounts on courses and seminars run by other education providers
- Scholarships to attend conferences, seminars and training courses
- Opportunity to participate in Australian and overseas study tours
- Access to DIAA travel and tertiary scholarships
- Developing public speaking and corporate governance skills by becoming involved in DIAA State and national committees
- Becoming a judge or steward at dairy product competitions
References
- ↑ Global Dairy Platform
- ↑ Godbold, Norman. 100 Years of Co-operation. Dairy Industry Association of Australia, 1993.
- ↑ "Wastage in the Dairying Industry",Australian Journal of Dairy Technology, April–June 1946, p. 42.
- ↑ Muller, Lawrie. Thought for Food. Self-published, 2003.
- ↑ "The Australian Society of Dairy Technology",Australian Journal of Dairy Technology, January–March 1946, p. 28.
External links
- Dairy Industry Association of Australia
- Business Victoria listing of Food Industry Associations
- DIAA entry in the National Library of Australia catalogue
- Australian Dairy Foods entry in the National Library of Australia catalogue
- Global Dairy Platform