MEDIA RELEASE

Immediate release Thursday, 12 September 2013

Dairy Event Leaders Strike a Strategic Alliance

In an industry first, the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) has formed a strategic alliance with International Dairy Week (IDW) in a move to advance the future of dairy shows and events in the state of Victoria. Since its inception in 1990, IDW has been held in Tatura, Victoria, becoming Australias largest dairy event, while the RASVs Royal Melbourne Dairy Show is the states traditional premier springtime competition. As two of the most important dairy show events in Victoria, the alliance will see RASV and IDW provide reciprocal support and cross promotion for each others events. In addition IDW and RASV will explore further event opportunities to advance the interests of the dairy industry. The RASV CEO, Mr Mark OSullivan, said the alliance aims to foster improvements and explore opportunities to strengthen the future of Victorias dairy shows and industry events. We are committed to exploring innovative partnerships that boost industry and we are looking forward to strengthening the future of Victorias dairy industry events with International Dairy Week. This alliance enhances our engagement with the dairy industry and aims to unite primary producers right through the value chain to other dairy sector participants, fostering growth in support of a more sustainable future, said Mr OSullivan. Brian Leslie of IDW, said, We welcome the opportunity to support and work with the Royal Melbourne Dairy Show. I have personally been showing at the Royal Melbourne Show since my early days in this industry and I look forward to another successful event for breeders early next week. IDW is committed to showcasing the best in the Australian dairy industry and this strategic alliance will assist in achieving this outcome, said Brian. In 2010, the Royal Melbourne Dairy Show became a stand-alone event, held prior to the Royal Melbourne Show to provide the dairy industry with a competition dedicated to showcasing Australias finest cattle. In its inaugural year, the Royal Melbourne Dairy Show attracted the largest number of cattle seen at Melbourne Showgrounds in 10 years and entries continue to grow. This weekend, the RASV will present the Royal Melbourne Dairy Show to celebrate Australias dairy industry with some of the worlds best judges assessing more than 400 entries from 110 exhibitors over three days from Sunday, 15 to Tuesday, 17 September 2013 at Melbourne Showgrounds. The event is open to the public and entry is free. [ENDS] For all media enquiries, please contact Wrights on behalf of the RASV: Lauren Zammit at Wrights on +61 414 655 142 / lzammit@wrights.com.au About the RASV: The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) is a member-based organisation that promotes and celebrates agriculture through events, which link industry to consumers. The RASV ultimately aims to improve the quality and increase demand for Victorian agricultural produce. The RASV supports industry by conducting successful events, including the Royal Melbourne Show - Victorias largest annual community event, providing industry with unique opportunities to enhance consumer awareness and understanding. For further information visit www.rasv.com.au About the Royal Melbourne Dairy Show: The Royal Melbourne Dairy Show is one of the dairy industrys premier spring dairy cattle shows, celebrating quality and providing a platform for industry promotion. The Royal Melbourne Dairy Show features the finest dairy cattle in Australia every September at Melbourne Showgrounds.


Attracting the best dairy cattle, the Royal Melbourne Dairy Show provides breeders with a springtime showcase and continues to grow in status and reach with the support of the Australian dairy industry. For more information visit www.rasv.com.au/Events/RMDS_Home/ About International Dairy Week: Held annually at Tatura in the Goulburn Valley of Victoria, International Dairy Week (IDW) has become Australias premier dairy event. Held over four days, more than 1,000 head of first class Australian dairy cattle and 180 dairy breeders compete for prestigious awards. The value of winning a ribbon is immense and rewards exhibitors for their hard work and perseverance. More than 100 dairy companies and businesses make up a large dairy focused trade exhibition displaying the latest in products and technologies. A series of seminars allow industry professionals to provide up-to-date information on the Australian and global dairy industry. Progeny tours are held on-site and also to local dairy farms in the region IDW is a great social occasion a great place to catch up and a great place to do business. It is committed to promoting the Australian dairy industry as a whole to the national and international marketplace, to continually provide new and innovative ideas for dairy farmers to enhance the quality of their enterprises and to acknowledge and reward excellence within the Australian dairy industry. For further information visit www.internationaldairyweek.com.au