WestVic Dairy Team


WestVic Dairy
Lindsay Ferguson
Regional Manager - Executive Officer

Email: show email address

Mob: 0418 545 580


Lindsay leads the regional Dairy Australia team and serves the WestVic Dairy Inc board as Executive Officer. He is the main contact with key stakeholders and represents the regional industry on several committees and groups.

Lindsay holds a masters degree in Agricultural Science, diplomas in business and finance and is qualified as a chartered accountant. With a strong business and governance background he has worked in consulting, accounting, academia, regional development and in investment and trade with the state government. He returned to the dairy industry in this role when he joined Dairy Australia in 2016.

Outside of work Lindsay enjoys time with his family and participates in horse sports based at his small farm at Grassmere.

Working days: Monday - Friday

    WestVic Dairy
    Amanda Heard
    Project Support Coordinator

    Email: show email address

    Mob: 0428 922 180


    Amanda’s administration role includes organising event catering, taking RSVPs and making sure everything runs smoothly within the organisation. Amanda is known for her friendly voice answering the phone and is always happy to help.

    Born and raised at Terang, Amanda started with WestVic Dairy in 2010 with a background in educational administration over many years at Glenormiston College and in small business.

    In her earlier years Amanda competed in equestrian events and now has a keen interest in car racing, enjoying the speedway with her family.

    Working days: Monday - Friday

      WestVic Dairy
      Emma Collins
      Administration and Workforce Attraction Coordinator

      Emma’s role largely involves project administration and financial management of the regional office, working closely with many of our suppliers. Additionally, Emma provides governance support to the Executive Officer and the WestVic Dairy Board.

      Emma comes from a teaching and business background, most recently in Insurance. Emma and her family live on a non-dairy farm near Camperdown and enjoy life in the south-west after moving from the Geelong area in early 2023.

      Working days: Monday - Wednesday

        WestVic Dairy
        Libby Swayn
        Extension Team Lead

        Email: show email address

        Mob: 0459 612 681


        Libby leads the extension team, coordinating the delivery of the extension activities in all our service areas across the region. She is also an Advisor for climate, environment, soils and water.

        Libby has a Bachelor of Applied Science with a major in Natural Resource Management and has been at WestVic Dairy for the past 11 years. During this time, she has worked as a Project Coordinator, Administration Coordinator and Extension Advisor.

        Outside of work, Libby runs a dairy and Holstein Stud at Nalangil with her husband Rod. Libby is a member of the Colac City Band, playing flute and enjoys gardening and stitching.

        Working days: Monday – Friday

          WestVic Dairy
          Liza Fahey
          Project Coordinator

          Email: show email address

          Mob: 0408 141 820


          Liza organises our major events, including The Great South-West Dairy Awards. In addition to this Liza supports the delivery of the Our Farm, Our Plan program and coordinates activities for the Young Dairy Network.

          Liza holds an Advanced Diploma of Agriculture and a Diploma in Human Resource Management. She has completed the Developing Dairy Leaders and the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Programs. Over her 17 years at WestVic Dairy, Liza has worked on many key projects.

          Outside of work, Liza helps milking on the family farm, enjoys spending time with her husband and children and has been a Director of the Australian Dairy Conference for the past ten years.

          Working days: Monday - Friday

            WestVic Dairy
            Peter Gaffy
            Farm Engagement Lead

            Email: show email address

            Mob: 0438 345 712


            Pete’s passion is supporting farmers to achieve their business goals. In his role Pete works closely with farmers in the region to understand their needs. He then connects farmers with the people, services and resources that will help them accomplish their aims.

            Pete grew up on a dairy farm in Northern Victoria. He studied at the Dookie campus and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) at the University of Melbourne in 2004. Pete worked with farmers for ten years as a Milk Supply Officer in Tasmania, Gippsland and South-west Victoria before joining WestVic Dairy in 2016 as an Extension Advisor specialising in Feedbase and Nutrition.

            Outside of work Pete enjoys growing vegetables and being a middle of the pack triathlete.

            Working days: Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 3:00pm

              WestVic Dairy
              Debbie Twiss
              Extension Advisor – Animal Performance

              Email: show email address

              Mob: 0467 528 111


              Debbie’s role involves development, delivery, and facilitation of activities on and off farm to support dairy farmers in the areas of cow health, fertility and welfare.

              Debbie is an experienced cattle veterinarian who has worked in a variety of dairy cattle practices in New Zealand and Australia, since graduating from Massey University in 1996. In 2019 Debbie pivoted from clinical practice to enter the world of extension by taking up the position of Extension Advisor with WestVic Dairy.

              Outside of work, Debbie can be found walking river and beach trails of South-west Victoria with her husband Bill and Pete the kelpie.

              Working days: Monday - Friday

                WestVic Dairy
                Matt Wood
                Extension Advisor

                Email: show email address

                Mob: 0417 669 597


                Matt works as an Extension Advisor – focusing on People. Matt assists farms with workforce legislative compliance and farm safety, along with supporting farmers with strategies to retain and develop their employees. In addition to this Matt is also involved with Discussion Groups and Focus Farm projects.

                Matt grew up on the family farm in England before going on to study at Ag College. He then changed paths, working as a paramedic in the UK and Australia. Matt has worked in a variety of roles at WestVic Dairy since joining the team in 2016, including Young Dairy Network Coordinator and in marketing and communications.

                Matt, along with fiancé Mel, and three children live close to Camperdown, where they raise beef cattle.

                Working days: Monday-Friday

                  WestVic Dairy
                  Sam Andrews
                  Farm Engagement Lead

                  Email: show email address

                  Mob: 0487 481 414


                  Sam spends her time learning about who the region’s farmers are, what they do, how they do it, and any challenges they have. Sam then links farmers in with services and resources that can support them to achieve their goals. Sam has a Bachelor of Business Management – Human Resources from Swinburne University and Post Graduate Specialist Certificate in Criminology.

                  Sam has been at WestVic Dairy for two years and previously worked as the Workforce Attraction Project Lead.Sam grew up on a farm in Young NSW and now lives in Bookaar Victoria on a dairy with her fiancée. Sam is the Secretary/Treasurer for the local CFA and enjoys caravanning with her family and gardening.


                  Working days: Monday - Friday

                    WestVic Dairy
                    Sheeraz Ahmad
                    Extension Coordinator - Farm Business Management

                    Email: show email address

                    Mob: 0414 684 065


                    Sheeraz coordinates and delivers Farm Business Management extension activities across the region. He also leads the Our Farm, Our Plan Program, facilitates the Port Campbell Dairy Discussion Group, and assists with the Focus Farm Program. Sheeraz is a former Project Coordinator and casual academic with the University of New England, holding a PhD in Agribusiness. He also has an M.Sc. in Rural Science and a M.Phil. in Rural Development, specializing in agricultural productivity.

                    Sheeraz has extensive experience in dairy agricultural extension, including research and development projects for non-governmental organisations. He brings a global perspective to his role.Beyond work Sheeraz enjoys playing cricket and is an active volunteer with the Warrnambool Islamic Society’s Management Committee and the Warrnambool Multicultural Association.


                    Working days: Monday - Friday

                      WestVic Dairy
                      Aylish Tobin-Salzman
                      Communications Coordinator

                      Email: show email address

                      Mob: 0488 282 443


                      Aylish works closely with the WestVic Dairy staff and her Dairy Australia colleagues to deliver communications activities that support a sustainable and valued dairy industry. Her priority is sharing relevant news and information to farmers in the South-west region.

                      Aylish has a Bachelor of Arts with a major in public relations from Deakin University. A local, Aylish's interest in agriculture was sparked by her grandfather, who farmed beef and sheep in South-west Victoria.

                      Working days: Monday - Friday

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