Nominated by their State Branches, these are the Holstein Australia youth members who will be working on establishing the dynamic Holstein Youth movement.

Katie Male, Labertouche, VIC

Katie grew up on the family dairy farm at Caldermeade, Victoria, where approximately 170 registered Holsteins were milked under the Creswick Holsteins prefix. Katie and her brothers were generously given the pick of the calf sheds when they turned 12. Since then Katie's stud has continued to grow with new families being introduced along the way.

Katie is lucky enough to work in the dairy industry in Gippsland where she enjoys helping dairy farmers breed better herds. For the past few years Katie has been the secretary of the West Gippsland Sub-Branch and recently the Publicity Officer. She has also been secretary for Gippsland Dairy Youth until handing it over recently to a new younger committee.

Murray Polson, Oxley Island Via Taree, NSW

Murray currently lives with his fiancé Jane on his parents’ farm at Oxley Island near Taree in NSW. He works in conjunction with his father and two brothers-in-law running the 300-cow Oxley Vale Holsteins herd. He completed a Certificate III in Dairying at Tocal College, Paterson.
Murray has a natural love and interest for milking, breeding, showing and judging cows. He was the NSW Champion in the Sydney Royal Junior Judging competition, and is currently a member of the Holstein Australia judging panel.

“I started my own herd when I was 10 years of age – Mario Park Holsteins. Since then I have bred numerous VG cows and received three finalists in the All-Australian competition,” Murray said.
“I love being involved with Holstein Australia because I have gained so much back and made many strong friendships which extend all over the country. It is very important to have an outlet away from the farm which brings dairy farmers together to socialise and contribute to the dairy industry.”

Murray has had extensive involvement in encouraging the youth within the local sub-branch by organising an All-Breeds Calf Show, a judging school and numerous clipping and show preparation days. His interests include football, showing cows, skiing, riding motorbikes, breeding and judging dairy cattle.

Rachel Millhouse, Riana, TAS

Rachel's family moved to Riana on the north-west Coast of Tasmania in 1998 where her parents milked 120 Holsteins. A selected group of animals was kept after the herd was dispersed in 2004 and now continue under the "Mill Rob" prefix, owned with Rachel's sister Olivia and brothers Bradley and Liam.

Rachel's interest in stud Holsteins began in 1990 after winning a stud calf from her grandparents herd in a raffle. Rachel's aim is to breed her first Excellent cow and focuses her breeding program on show animals that produce well. In the past, Rachel has shown cows all over Tasmania, winning the State Junior Handlers Competition in 2006. She has also represented Tasmania at the Royal Brisbane show and won the 2007 National Junior Handlers Competition. Her parents, Murray and Leonie, encouraged her to show cows from a very young age.

Rachel currently lives with her partner, Matthew, who milks 200 Holsteins, including Rachel's small group of animals. Rachels other interests include spending time with family and friends and travelling. A highlight was a trip to Africa earlier this year, where she went on a 21-day safari, covering four different countries.

Jon Holland, Rochester, Victoria.

Jon currently lives near Rochester with his wife Nadine. Jon’s family run a herd of 100 registered Holsteins under the prefix “Holloddon”, at Newbridge, approx 30km west of Bendigo along the Loddon River.

“My family has been dairying at Newbridge for generations, with the introduction of registered Holsteins 15 years ago. My interest in Holsteins and breeding was helped by Brian Vallence, who encouraged me to attend a Holstein Youth Camp. Having never attended a show before, I quickly developed a keenness for it. I was then able to assist Rex Robertson at the Melbourne Royal, and with a lot of assistance and encouragement from North West breeders, I now regularly show my own stock at local feature shows.”

Since completing an Advanced Diploma in Agriculture through Glenormiston College. Jon has worked as a field officer for CHIS, exposing him to many different ideas and opportunities, while still allowing him to maintain active involvement in the management and running of the farm, particularly in regards to breeding and promotion of the herd. “While I have been fortunate to achieve my goals in breeding through my first Excellent cow, my first bull entering a Progeny Test program and receiving a Premier Breeder award at my local feature show, my ultimate goal is simply to manage a respected, successful, and profitable herd of Holsteins.”

Justin Walsh, Jaspers Brush, New South Wales

The family farm is at Jaspers Brush, near Berry NSW and its the home of Waljasper Holsteins. We milk 160 Holsteins. Justin is the vice president of the South Coast and Tablelands dairy youth group. He currently studying his 3rd year of Science in Agriculture at the University of Sydney with 1 year of a research project to go.

”I have shown cows since I was 10 and worked at shows for the Walkers (Clinton Park) in Kangaroo Valley ever since, as well as showing our own cattle. In 2004 I won the national junior dairy judging final and I’m currently on the NSW provisional judges panel. I’m 21 years old and I love the people involved in dairy farming. The best friends I’ve made are all involved in cattle. I love judging and working with elite dairy cattle.

Vaughn Johnston, Mount Gambier, South Australia

“I enjoy all aspects of the Holstein Australia organisation whether it be at a show, sale or simply at home feeding the calves, because you get to have fun with likeminded people that have the same common goal in mind.”

Vaughn is the son of David and Glenyce Johnston, Segenhoe Park Holstein of Boorcan near Camperdown in the Western Districts. He has enjoyed working and learning at Total Livestock Genetics, Bette Hall of Plana Holsteins and Graeme and Elaine Hutchesson of Ellengra Holsteins.
“I was lucky enough to win the Semex/Holstein Victorian Youth fellowship in 2003 to Canada and USA. There I was involved in the Western Canadian Classic youth show and many other great farms and events.” This year Vaughn joined the Semex Team, looking after the South East of SA and Western Victoria.

Kelvin Cochrane, Kandanga, QLD

I have recently re-enrolled in University after having spent 18 months studying education. I have now moved to a Bachelor of Agricultural Science - Animal Science, at the University if Queensland. In between I have spent 18 months at the home farm, Kevindale Holsteins, where between 600 and 800 cows (770 at the moment) are milked on a 50 stand rotary on 350 acres in South East Queensland. I have huge interest in the breeding of Holstein cows and cow families from right around the world. Personal interests are showing, all sports, particularly cricket and Soccer and Cattle photography.

I was fortunate enough to attend WDE in 1997 where I stood a mere 3 feet from Blackrose, my favourite cow and cow family. I have shown cattle at most major shows from North Queensland including every Royal bar Perth. I am also an amatuer cattle photographer and under Fauvic Photography I have been fortunate to have had heaps of support from Queensland breeders recently getting a buzz from having photo's in the Semex catalogue. I look forward to a future in the Australian dairy industry and owe a lot to the Holstein cow. I hope to repay.

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