Last year, we welcomed Ella Dixon, to the Western Australia team, one of three People Experience (PX) Leads in Dairy Australia as part of a new Workforce Attraction initiative. While Ella is attached to Dairy Australia’s national office in Melbourne, farmers may cross paths with her on the road, engaging with focus regions Tasmania, West Victoria and Western Australia.
Ella joins us in supporting the development and delivery of innovative projects focused on attracting and retaining talent within the dairy industry. Working across the dairy sector, she is available to help the WA farming community build strong, people-centric businesses, with the support of Dairy Australia tools and resources.
Ella is highly skilled in understanding workforce needs and employer/employee experiences. In 2024, she worked closely alongside Western Australia’s Farm Engagement Lead, Jane Packard to deliver valuable outcomes.
Farmers can contact Ella for support relating to employment experience.
Contact: ella.dixon@dairyaustralia.com.au
Western Dairy people experience: key insights from Farm Engagement Lead Jane Packard (2024)
After 12 months of farm engagement in WA, it has become clear that accessing specialist skills and resources in the people space is a challenge. Farms find it easier to access support from specialists including agronomists, vets, nutritionists, taxation, and business management consultants more so than ‘people’ focused specialists. Connecting farmers with a People Experience Lead will allow them to receive unique information and resources in this space which apply specifically to dairy.
Outcome of farm visits by Farm Engagement Lead and People Experience Lead
Following farm visits, WA Farm Engagement Lead Jane has established connections between farmers and People Experience Lead, Ella. This has resulted in bespoke solutions for two businesses, both large employers with a mixture of employment types.
Regional visits from Ella have delivered value to those farmers who have felt that Dairy Australia services are not relevant to their business. By gaining an in depth look at the resources available to them, they have been able to better connect to their levy spend.
A direct connection to a People Experience Lead has been an invaluable addition to what we can offer farmers in the Western Dairy region.
