Awards launch goes well

The Dairy Industry Awards 2013 launch in Stratford at the start of the month was well attended, with numerous first-timers having entered the competition. Aaron and Kate Murdoch, Taranaki convenors for the 2013 event, say this is very encouraging as they want to further grow the event.

"Last year we had 80 people on the waiting list wanting to attend the awards evening, and we have not yet opened it to the public," says Kate.

Having moved the awards evening from Stratford to a larger venue in Hawera, they hope to this year host 450 people. Eltham's Thomas Higgins, who last year as a first-time entrant scooped farm manager of the year, was also at the launch, telling those attending more about why the competition was an "incredible opportunity" to make your mark. Thomas is the 2013 Taranaki co-ordinator for trainee of the year.

For more information on the event, visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.