Circular Head local Angelique Korpershoek has assumed the interim position of Chair of the DairyTas board following the announcement that Tony Clarke would be standing down due to the sale of his farm. 

Angelique is well known throughout the industry and has been farming with her husband Isaac in Forest since 2008, where they run a 300 cow Autumn calving Holstein Friesian herd. 

Angelique is a qualified veterinarian and has worked in private practices in the UK, Circular Head and currently Burnie. 

Angelique says she originally became a board member to give back to the industry that has provided her with many opportunities in both career and lifestyle and to make a positive contribution to the future direction of dairy farming in Tasmania.

“Growing up and attending school in Sydney I always had a connection to farming communities, with my family owning a sheep and beef property near Tamworth in NSW,” Angelique said.

“After leaving school I studied veterinary science at University of Sydney. A career I had dreamed of since primary school.”

Angelique moved to Smithton in 2004 to start work as a veterinarian as she was really keen to work in a dairy focused practice.

After meeting husband Isaac, a local in Circular Head they spent a year working in the UK and gaining an understanding of dairy systems and veterinary practices there.

On return to Circular Head Angelique and Isaac started dairy farming by leasing Isaac’s family farm. Through a family succession plan they were able to purchase the farm in 2016 where they currently milk 325 Holstein Friesian cows with their little family of four children, aged between five and nine. 

Angelique was appointed to the board in November 2017 as a farmer director and has been in the role of Deputy Chair since November 2018.

Angelique says one of the challenges all organisations face and DairyTas is no different - is to provide a balance between providing on the ground relevant funding of programs for the immediate needs of farmers whilst planning, predicting and allocating funding for the future needs of the industry

“The Tasmanian dairy industry has and will face different challenges to the mainland as we continue to grow which places us in contrast to our mainland counterparts.”

“It’s always rewarding to see programs delivered by DairyTas that provide skills or knowledge to farmers to help them be more successful of profitable in their business, or to know that certain funding opportunities will help to see future sustainability of the industry,” Angelique said.

On giving advice to other women in the industry, and to young people looking to advance their careers and knowledge in small rural areas Angelique says

“Women in the industry often undervalue, or are undervalued by others for the contribution they make on their farm, to their business and their community. The skill sets and knowledge that they  possess can be very underestimated.”

“Similarly young people and their enthusiasm, fresh and innovative ideas can also be undervalued.”

“Both women and young people provide different perspectives, diverse thoughts and unique skills so they need to put their hands up more to the opportunities in career and community.”

“To anyone wanting to advance their careers I would say follow your passion, take every opportunity that is offered to you, listen to others and learn from anyone willing to teach you! Careers in dairy and agriculture more broadly are rewarding and are likely to be more and more valued as we emerge from the post Covid world,” Angelique said.