DWN award finalists announced

• Published date: 24 April 2024
• Publication title: Central Rural Life

This award, sponsored by FMG, showcases inspirational women who demonstrate excellence at grassroots, leadership in their local community and encompass the DWN values

‘‘It is so inspiring to see the calibre of women providing leadership in the dairy industry and their communities,’’ DWN chief executive Jules Benton said.

‘‘Each year the bar gets a little higher.

‘‘The dairy industry has traditionally been seen as male-driven. These women are turning this stereotype on its head. They exemplify the DWN values and are making positive changes in their communities, and in the agriculture sector as a whole.’’

The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 2 at the gala dinner of the DWN 2024 conference ‘‘Enhance, Elevate, Evolve’’ in New Plymouth.

‘‘This is a much-coveted award that has often been described as life-changing,’’ Ms Benton said.

The recipient will receive a registration to the Dare to Lead programme based on the research of Dr Brene Brown.

About the finalists

Leilani Lobb: Contract milker and Canterbury DWN regional leader Leilani Lobb has made quite an impact on the dairy industry in a short space of time. Having grown up on a dairy farm, Leilani completed a bachelor of agriculture at Lincoln University and put her knowledge to work as the assistant manager/2IC on a 180ha, 700-cow farm near Ashburton.

At just 22 she was recognised at the 2022 Canterbury/North Otago Dairy Industry Awards, finishing runner-up in the dairy trainee category.

She is a strong advocate of female farmers in the dairy industry and is described as solution-focused and passionate about dairy and DWN, putting her ‘‘hand up for everything from applying for funding and collateral to coming up with ideas for events and attending everything we do’’.

Rebecca O’Brien: Eastern Bay of Plenty DWN regional leader Rebecca O’Brien has been instrumental in creating a sense of inclusivity among its members, community clubs, supporting businesses and the DWN team. In addition to 50/50 sharemilking a busy 900-herd on two dairy farms in Galatea, she mentors staff who are training with PrimaryITO, volunteers in her local community and is involved in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards. Rebecca and her husband Scott won the Share Farmers of the Year award at the 2022 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards and the same year received the DairyNZ People and Culture Award at the national level.

Her...