Ambassador Ardi Stoios-Braken pictured at centre, on the right of Sam Birrell, at a dairy barn under construction in the Numurkah district.
Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell has hosted the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Australia, Ardi Stoios-Braken, for a two-day visit to the Nicholls electorate, celebrating the deep agricultural, cultural and economic ties between the Netherlands and the region.
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The visit highlighted the contribution Dutch families and businesses continue to make across the region, from protected cropping and dairy, to horticulture, food manufacturing, regional education and community life.
"The Dutch community has been part of the fabric of this region for decades, and what they have built here is extraordinary," Mr Birrell said.
"From dairy farms and glasshouses to orchards and food manufacturing, Dutch families and businesses have brought world-class knowledge, enterprise and a genuine commitment to our region," Mr Birrell said.
"This visit was a chance to celebrate that contribution, but also to strengthen the knowledge sharing between our two countries."
"The Netherlands is a global leader in agriculture, protected cropping and water management, and our region has practical experience on the ground in food production, irrigation and regional education. There is a lot we can learn from each other."
The program moved from discussion to practical examples, with the ambassador visiting Dutch-linked businesses across protected cropping, dairy, horticulture and food manufacturing.
Pictured at the Aussie Pride Produce glasshouse at Tallygaroopna, from left, co-owner Rob Rutten, ambassador Ardi Stoios-Braken, Sam Birrell and Ilse van Lipzig.
At Aussie Pride Produce near Tallygaroopna, Rob Rutten and Ilse van Lipzig showed the ambassador their Venlo-style glasshouse, where they grow hydroponic lettuce, basil and other leafy crops.
At Toorangie Pastoral near Numurkah, Monique Bryant, formerly Tielen, and Mark Bryant walked the ambassador through their 800-cow dairy operation, including the on-site compost facility they've developed as part of their long-term investment in the farm.
The visit also included a conversation with Megan Hodge, Rabobank's Shepparton branch manager, noting that Rabobank itself began in the Netherlands as a co-operative agricultural bank formed to support farming communities, reflecting the deep and ongoing links between Dutch finance and Australian agriculture.
The delegation also visited Katunga Fresh, one of Australia's largest tomato operations, founded by Marjan and Peter Van den Goor.
At Seeka Australia in Bunbartha, Jonathan Van Popering and the team showed the delegation through orchard and packing operations, including kiwifruit, Nashi pears and stone fruit.
Noumi showed the delegation the Lactoferrin it produces and exports to the Netherlands, a strong example of value-added dairy trade between Nicholls and the Netherlands.
"Nicholls and the Goulburn Valley is one of Australia's great food-producing regions, and Dutch families and businesses are a significant part of that story," Mr Birrell said.
"Families like the Van den Goors, Ruttens, Tielens and others came here, backed this region and built something lasting."
The visit also included a stop at Daimler Trucks Shepparton, where the ambassador toured the facility and met with staff.
David Warren, general manager of Daimler Trucks Shepparton, said the visit meant a great deal to the team.
"We feel privileged to have Her Excellency come to see us at Daimler Trucks Shepparton and to recognise our employees," Mr Warren said.
"John De Haan was probably the most excited of anyone, and you would have heard him speaking Dutch out the front."
"It really flowed through the whole team and created a fantastic atmosphere."
"High-level officials visiting us does not happen every day, and it means a lot."
The ambassador also met with Committee for Greater Shepparton to discuss economic growth, regional investment and opportunities for stronger ties with the Netherlands.
Visiting the Noumi factory in Shepparton, from left, Dai Andrew Forterre, Annelies Loeff, Dutch ambassador Ardi Stoios-Braken, Noumi general manager of operations Paul Trewin and Sam Birrell.
