Sallie Jones from Gippsland Jersey, with Rowan Jones from Hallora (no relation), who stopped to buy a milkshake at the South Gippsland Dairy Expo.
Photo by
Jeanette Severs
The annual South Gippsland Dairy Expo has significant economic value to the local community.
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Organised by the Strzelecki Lions Club, this year’s expo — the 26th — occurred on September 3 and 4.
The annual expo is recognised by the South Gippsland Shire Council as a key economic outcome for the region.
“The expo is the biggest trade event held in South Gippsland,” said Ken Fraser, South Gippsland Shire Council’s coordinator of economic development.
About 1000 people attended this year’s expo, with the largest attendance on the first day.
Organiser Deanne Kennedy said there were 1000 dairy farmers in South Gippsland, and every year about 700 to 800 of them attended the expo.
Deanne Kennedy, coordinator of the South Gippsland Dairy Expo, with Allan Cameron, Gardiner Foundation.
Photo by
Jeanette Severs
Members of the Strzelecki Lions Club initiated the idea of a dairy expo to serve the needs of South Gippsland dairy farmers, to bring the latest machinery and equipment to the region.
The Strzelecki Lions Club continues to coordinate the expo.
Funds raised from sponsorship and entry fees are contributed to the community.
“In the last 26 years, we’ve raised $700,000 for other community groups, by hosting the expo,” said Cliff Wallace from Strzelecki Lions Club.
“Last year, the expo enabled us to distribute $62,000 into our community.”
Attendees representing sponsors, with their boxes of chocolates, at the expo breakfast organised by the Strzelecki Lions Club to honour the sponsors.
Photo by
Jeanette Severs
Deanne said the large number of gold sponsors of the expo, in particular, had boosted the amount of money raised by the Strzelecki Lions Club this year.
Sponsors are recognised on day two of the expo with a breakfast, acknowledgements and presentations.
Gold sponsors for the 2025 expo were Reid Stockfeeds, Dairy Protect, Rabobank, Dairy Australia, Evans Petroleum, NBN, ProDairy, Brandt, VicSilos, Green Mate agriculture, DeLaval, GEA, SRH milk haulage, Burra Foods Australia, Lely Center Gippsland, Tow and Fert, DPS dairy pumping systems, Saputo Dairy Australia and Easy Dairy automation systems. Silver sponsors were Poowong Dairy and Hardware and South Gippsland Shire Council.
Ray Stumpke, Jim Watson and Frank Springer, Strzelecki Lions Club, convenors of the South Gippsland Dairy Expo.
Photo by
Jeanette Severs
Cr Nathan Hersey, Cr Scott Rae and Cr Brad Snell represented South Gippsland Shire Council at the dairy expo.
Photo by
Jeanette Severs
Andrea Meerwarth, Lely Gippsland Center, with the next generation of automatic milk filters, supporting the A5-Next robotic units. The South Gippsland Dairy Expo was its first public exhibition.
Photo by
Jeanette Severs
Bevan Brinkley and Louise Brooks, Leongatha South.
Photo by
Jeanette Severs
Kahli Weller and Max Weller from Longwarry. Like many of the dairy farmers who attended the South Gippsland Dairy Expo, they were participating in the Udder Truth Showbag, which required attendees to get stickers affirming they attended a range of exhibitors. This year, first prize in the Udder Truth Showbag was won by Clare Porter from Yarram.
Photo by
Jeanette Severs
Tim Jelbart from Leongatha South, Bayley and Steven Denbrok from Middle Tarwin, and Mick Adkins from Leongatha South.
Photo by
Jeanette Severs
Johnny Jans and his daughter, Stacey Jans, from Dumbalk, with Andrew Crew and Jordan Berg of GEA, with the GEA R9500 dairy robot.
Photo by
Jeanette Severs
Erik, Annika and Liselott Webster from Middle Tarwin.
Photo by
Jeanette Severs
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