Our Staff
Administration Team
Gavan Mathieson
Executive Officer
Executive Officer Gavan studied natural resource management and applied science at Ballarat University. He has worked in diverse fields including national park management, Landcare, local government and the Environmental Protection Authority. Gavan enjoys the opportunity to work closely with dairy farmers. “It is important for me to understand the pressures farmers are under and how we can help.”
Email Gavan: gavan@westvicdairy.com.au
Jocelyn Bevin
Operations Manager
Jocelyn is a key member of the WestVic Dairy team holding the positions Executive Assistant and Acting Executive Officer over recent years. Jocelyn's previous role involved a personal banking career where she managed a rural branch for eight years. Both her and her husband Stuart are also dairy farmers at Naroghid and migrated to Australia from New Zealand in 1997 with their three children Sarah, James and Libby.
Email Jocelyn: jocelyn@westvicdairy.com.au
Lisa Chesshire
Finance Officer
Lisa brings a wealth of local knowledge and office experience to the team and was previously employed at the Terang Veterinary Clinic performing a variety of roles including cleaning, veterinary nursing, receptionist and then in her later years as office manager. With a history of office administration Lisa also has considerable knowledge of the local area and a large network of contacts throughout the dairy industry. Lisa began working for WestVic Dairy in 2006.
Email Lisa: lisa@westvicdairy.com.au
Chloe Newson
Administration Officer
Chloe is the Administration Officer at WestVic Dairy and has been with the team since 2012 (Chloe was also Administration Officer at WestVic Dairy in 2008 during her gap year). Bringing a broad range of knowledge and administration skills to the office, she enjoys working in the industry. Chloe has recently completed a Bachelors degree where she studied Public Relations, Law, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Media and Journalism.
Email Chloe: info@westvicdairy.com.au
Projects Team
Amanda Heard
Project Support Officer
Amanda started work with WestVic Dairy in July 2010 as Administrative support officer and assists our many contractors with their respective projects. She enjoys being involved in the daiy industry and is married to Bevan who is a sub contractor in the building industry. They have two sons, Chris, who is completing an apprenticeship in sign writing and Matthew is currently in Year 8. Amanda brings a variety of key skills to the office.
Email Amanda: amanda@westvicdairy.com.au
Barbara Collins
DDTT/ Dairy Awards/In Charge
Barbara joined WestVic Dairy in October 2000 and has had a variety of roles from administration, office manager, to her current role as Project Manager of WestVic Dairy’s suite of farm business management programs and the Great South West Dairy Awards. With a history of office administration Barbara also has considerable knowledge of the local area and a large network of contacts throughout the dairy industry. She and her husband Jeff have been dairy farming for 40 years at Dixie, milking about 450 cows in conjunction with their son Brad and his family. They also have two daughters and 8 grand-children in total
Email Barb: barb@westvicdairy.com.au
Jeff Lawes
Focus Farm/Soil Acidity Coordinator 
Jeff is a farm consultant specialising in whole farm planning and environmental best practice on farms. He was contracted to WestVic Dairy in late 2005 to facilitate NRM Focus Farm Groups but has also taken on the management of other projects. Jeff has an agricultural education background and worked for much of his career as a Lecturer in Farm Management at Glenormiston College until 2004. Jeff enjoys fishing and is the author of several fishing books.
Email Jeff: jefflawes@westvic.com.au
Robyn Vale
Careers Coordinator 
Robyn lives at the heart of the dairy region in Timboon with her partner and two sons, and knows how much western Victoria relies on the industry. She was previously a Local Community Partnership facilitator for South West LLEN and worked in health and safety in the meat processing and retail industry for a decade. Robyn is devoted to improving the image of “dairy” as a career and enjoys all aspects of her career in dairy.
Email Robyn: careers@westvicdairy.com.au
Liza Fahey
YDDP/Dairy Awards/Lead In
As a part of the WVD team since 2007, Liza has worked on organisation of the Great South West Dairy Awards, AGM events and the Dairy Sage mentoring project. In 2008 she became the South West Victorian coordinator of the Young Dairy Development Program. She is also available as a consultant to advise and assist farmers to write employment agreements and succession plans. Liza is enagaged in the dairy industry in a number of ways and enjoys the challenges and rewards the industry has to offer.
Email Liza: yddp@westvic.com.au
Karen Wales
DDTT/Energy Assessment
Karen is the Projects Manager for Driving Down the Track. Karen will aid in facilitating action in achieving the goals and strategies developed by industry stakeholders with particular focus on the top 20 priorities under the plan. Karen also manages the Smarter Energy Use on Australian Dairy Farms project. Karen is involved in many aspects of our local industry and brings a diverse range of experience to the team.
Email Karen: wales.karen@bigbond.com
Terry Makin
Focus Farm/NRM
Terry was a dairy farmer in Northern Victoria at Kyabram until 1995 on a 300 cow irrigated farm. He was a farmer Director on the board of Dairy Australia’s predecessor, the Dairy Research & Development Corporation (1986 -1996). Since 1996 he has been a consultant to the dairy industry and has facilitated WestVic Dairy’s Focus Farm project since 2006. He is particularly interested in how to farm and live sustainably.
Email Terry: tdmakin@bigpond.net.au
Peter Wearne
Focus Farm/NRM
Peter is a WestVic Dairy project facilitator and comes from a farming background, having been involved in dairy farming and prime lamb production for 40 years. He relinquished full time farming in 2002. He is currently facilitating 2 focus farm groups. With an education in agriculture and a family history of natural resource management, Peter brings a hands on approach to his work.
Email Peter: wearnep@hotkey.net.au