Dekkers share knowledge

LOCAL couple Frank and Jeanne Dekker shared their rich experiences as guest speakers at the Leongatha Chamber of Commerce and Industry annual general meeting on Monday, July 4.

Speaking to some of the group’s 58 delegates at the Leongatha RSL, Mr Dekker shared his tips on running a sustainable community asset as secretary of the Leongatha Recreational Reserve for the past 13 years.

“The reserve is a unique facility, home to 14 different sporting clubs. It is run by a committee of management which comprises of representatives from the sports clubs at the Reserve,” he said.

Mr Dekker said the reserve’s most recent accomplishments include the construction of the new Leongatha Skate Park and potential funding from the South Gippsland Shire Council to seal the road around the main football oval and the car park at Woorayl Golf Course.

“It has been a big ticket item on the agenda for a long time and it looks to be getting the go ahead from Council which is fantastic,” he said.

“We are also looking to get the gates to the reserve replaced as they are really outdated and in need of repair.”

Council has allocated $800,000 to the project with a further $150,000 put forth by Leongatha Recreation Reserve.

Mrs Dekker also spoke to delegates about her experience as a member of the Murray Goulburn Supplier Development Program.

Both she and Mr Dekker have supplied to Murray Goulburn for 20 years on their property at Grassy Spur.

“The Murray Goulburn Supplier Development Program takes suppliers through the process of production so we can gain a better understanding about the ins and outs of the industry,” she said.

“With the recent drop in milk prices we have to deal with the factors which are out of our control by budgeting as best as we can.”

“Farmers now have to come to terms with what has happened and do what we can to make ends meet.”

Mr Dekker commended his wife for sharing her industry knowledge and sharing support resources to struggling farmers through her Murray Goulburn newsletter columns.

“Jeanne has always been very passionate about farmers’ health and their mental health. It has really been a double whammy this season with the drop in milk prices following a terrible dry season.”

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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Jul 12 2016. Filed under Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry