With the formation of eastAUSmilk the Queensland dairy industry is saying farewell to not only the QDO name but also the long serving president Brian Tessmann.
Having previously stated he would step down from state duties after finalising the recent Queensland/NSW merger, he has as we have become accustomed, been true to his word.
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Brian was elected to the Wide Bay Burnett District Council of QDO in 1995, serving as district secretary until 2003.
In 2000, Brian was elected to state council, serving first as vice-president before being elected president in 2009.
President Brian has seen the highs and lows of dairy advocacy and the industry in general across Queensland.
From the devastation of deregulation, the millennium drought, 2011 floods, cyclones Yasi and Debbie, discount $1 a litre milk and the most recent drought, there has always been something belting the Queensland dairy industry while Brian has been at the table.
I know he feels that leaving at this time with the death of $1 a litre milk and a now solid farm gate milk price combined with buoyant seasonal conditions, there is fresh hope and optimism of growth and prosperity for the industry.
Having been on the board with Brian for the last five years, I've gained an appreciation for his efforts that I could not have seen previously.
Some of you may not know that Brian is an avid reader of history, to name a couple of things, religion, war and conquest.
He also has an exceptional memory to recall previous meetings, discussions and debates over dairy industry policy.
The combination of these traits has meant Brian has a tremendous depth of knowledge and understanding of what is the right policy position for the farmers he represents and also the smartest way to achieve that.
While his intellect has been a strength, perhaps his greatest asset has been his will to fight hard for those he represents.
If it's in the interest of farmers he will never back down.
So on behalf of QDO and the now eastAUSmilk board, our members and the Queensland dairy industry in general, I say thank you Brian for your service and commitment and to the personal sacrifice you and your family have made for the industry.
