Holstein Australia member and client updates: COVID-19

UPDATED FRIDAY 15 JULY 2022

As a precautionary measure following the recent increase in COVID cases Holstein Australia office-based staff will be working from home for the remainder of July.

This decision has been taken in line with Victorian government advice for employers to assess the most up to date COVID information and recommendations to keep employees and communities safe.

HA classifiers remain on the road with classification services being provided as usual. To book a visit contact Leanne Summerville on 0458 931 061 or lsummerville@holstein.com.au.

Office staff contact details

Registrations, accounts and general enquiries: Contact Celia, Louise or Amanda on 03 9835 7600 between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm AEST.

Please note we are now operating with a single phone line diverted to a home-based Member Services Officer. If you go straight to voicemail please leave a message. If you do not leave a message and return phone number we will be unable to return your call.

To talk to individual staff members direct please use the following numbers:

Registrations: Celia, Louise, Amanda on 03 9835 7600
Genomics: Ally on 0448 907 409
Classification: Leanne on 0458 931 061
Export: John on 0428 813 058
Admin and governance: David on 0417 303 826
Communications: Adam on 0401 096 507

Email contact details for essential services

Member Services enquiries, registrations, transfers, awards etc: enquiry@holstein.com.au
Accounts enquiries: accounts@holstein.com.au
Region, Sub-Branch and governance enquires: governance@holstein.com.au
Communications: asawell@holstein.com.au

Posting items to the Holstein Australia office

If you are sending in hair or notch samples for genomic testing or usually communicate with the office by mail please continue to post items to Holstein Australia at AgriBio in the usual way.

UPDATED MONDAY 10 JANUARY 2022

As a precautionary measure given the heightened Omicron variant transmission risk Holstein Australia office-based staff have reverted to working from home.

Telephone contact details for office staff
Registrations, accounts and general enquiries: Contact Celia or Louise on 03 9835 7600 between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm AEST. Please note we are now operating with a single phone line diverted to a home-based Member Services Officer. If you go straight to voicemail please leave a message. No message means no call-back.

To talk to individual staff members direct please use the following numbers:

Registration catch-up: Simon Adams on 0438 505 746
Genomics: Miranda on 0407 456 489
Classification: Leanne on 0458 931 061
Export: John on 0428 813 058
Admin and governance: David on 0417 303 826 / Rohan on 0428 135 361
Communications: Sarah on 0409 926 429

Email contact details for essential services

Member Services enquiries, registrations, transfers, awards etc: enquiry@holstein.com.au
Accounts enquiries: accounts@holstein.com.au
Region, Sub-Branch and governance enquires: governance@holstein.com.au
Communications: skeens@holstein.com.au

Posting items to the Holstein Australia office
If you are sending in hair or notch samples for genomic testing or usually communicate with the office by mail please continue to post items to Holstein Australia at AgriBio in the usual way, but remember to allow a few extra days for your items to reach us due to the increased demand on Australia Post services.

UPDATED FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2021

With COVID restrictions ongoing in Victoria and NSW for the foreseeable future and all staff working from home here’s a reminder of the best way to contact us.

Telephone contact details for office staff
Registrations, accounts and general enquiries: Contact Celia or Louise on 03 9835 7600 between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm AEST. If you go straight to voicemail please leave a message. No message means no call-back.

To talk to individual staff members direct please use the following numbers:

Registration catch-up: Simon Adams on 0438 505 746
Genomics: Miranda on 0407 456 489
Classification: Leanne on 0458 931 061
Export: John on 0428 813 058
Admin and governance: David on 0417 303 826 / Rohan on 0428 135 361
Communications: Sarah on 0409 926 429

Email contact details for essential services

Member Services enquiries, registrations, transfers, awards etc: enquiry@holstein.com.au
Accounts enquiries: accounts@holstein.com.au
Region, Sub-Branch and governance enquires: governance@holstein.com.au
Communications: skeens@holstein.com.au

UPDATED THURSDAY 27 MAY 2021

Update follows today's announcement of a 7 day Victoria-wide lockdown

With immediate effect HA office staff will be working from home for the duration of the Victorian lockdown announced this morning. While very much business as usual the 03 9835 7600 phone line is being diverted to a dedicated mobile phone. Please leave a message stating your name and return phone number if engaged – this will be the ONLY way that staff can log and return your call.

Classification visits in Victoria are suspended as of close of business today. The current Queensland and NSW classification tours will continue as scheduled. Questions or concerns regarding classification should be directed to John Crowther on 0428 813 058.

UPDATED THURSDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2020

Holstein Australia Online Showcase Sale cancellation

Holstein Australia’s Online Showcase Sale, scheduled to take place on Thursday 8 October, has been cancelled.

While a number of quality entries were received for the sale, the ongoing uncertainty around travel and movement, particularly in Victoria, means that the event cannot take place. Although held online, all animals entered in the sale would have required filming in advance by the sale videographer. The uncertainty around cross border movements post sale was also a factor in this decision.

International Dairy Week cancellation

This week has seen the cancellation of what the highlight of the dairy year for many is, International Dairy Week.

A statement from IDW expressed deep regret that the event could not go ahead, the first time the show has been cancelled in 30 years.

Event organiser, Brian Leslie says: “Although we sincerely hoped we could run IDW 2021, we find with current restrictions we really have no choice. We know it is the right decision and that we need to make some sacrifices to get through the current circumstances.

“With the uncertainty of borders re-opening, the slow and gradual reopening of Victoria and many economic challenges in providing a COVID safe event we recognise the many challenges in trying to set up and run the week in a safe and responsible manner. We cannot, hand on heart, put in place and meet all necessary requirements so the responsible decision to make, for all of us involved, is to cancel IDW 2021. We realise this will impact many, particularly the Tatura community.

“Over 30 years IDW has experienced a fair bit and we have worked through many moments. When we come together in January we are more than a cow show and Dairy extravaganza, we are a community. We spend the week together enjoying each others’ companionship, we are networking, learning about great products, watching great cows, enjoying the strawberries and ice-cream, complaining about the heat and ultimately joining in the celebrations when hard work and perseverance is rewarded.

“We are committed to IDW 2022 and will be working with our many sponsors, exhibitors and community volunteer groups to have us all back together again and enjoy what has become a regular annual event in our lives. The spirit of IDW will continue.”

UPDATED TUESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2020

Classification services resume in New South Wales.

We are now providing classification services in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and, as of this week, New South Wales, with specials accommodated on a case-by-case basis. To book a visit contact Leanne Summerville on 0458 931 061 or lsummerville@holstein.com.au.

Holstein Australia has put in place measures designed to protect members, their families and our staff during this time, which can be accessed here. We are asking that all members wear a mask or face covering when interacting with our classifiers or field staff on farm. If members do not have a mask readily available, field staff can provide one.

UPDATED WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST 2020

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic Semex Australia and Holstein Australia have jointly taken the decision to cancel this year’s Semex Holstein Australia On-Farm Competition.

Holstein Australia CEO, Rohan Butler, says the decision was reluctantly reached following discussion with Semex Australia and consultation with the Holstein Australia board.

“This has been a difficult decision, but one ultimately taken in the best interest for the safety of members and all those involved in organising and running this event throughout the country. With each state implementing different cross-border requirements and restrictions on movement and social gatherings within each state, it is not possible logistically to organise a national on-farm event. There are also the very obvious health and safety factors to consider with guidelines, recommendations and enforceable laws the subject of constant change as the situation within Australia continues to evolve.

“Both Semex and Holstein Australia are aware of the importance of this event - celebrating its 20^th year this year - to our Sub-Branches and the Holstein community. We are already planning for 2021 when the On-Farm Competition will be back to celebrate it’s 21^st,” says Rohan.

Semex Australia General Manager, David Mayo, says the health and safety of participants, judges and the staff involved in what is the southern hemispheres largest dairy livestock judging competition must come first.

“With the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation in Australia it is impossible to predict where we will be next week or next month at the moment. Cancelling the 2020 On-Farm Competition, which I know will disappoint many, is the responsible course of action. As with so many other dairy events and shows, Semex remains committed to the competition and we will be back as soon as it is safe and practicable to hold a national event that brings together hundreds of Holstein Australia members from all our dairy producing states,” says David.

UPDATED MONDAY 10 AUGUST 2020

This member update follows the implementation of stage 4 restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne, which includes the Holstein Australia office at Dairy House, Bundoora, and stage 3 restrictions for regional Victoria.

General Business Operations: All office resourced Holstein Australia services, including registrations, receipt of samples for genomic testing, certificates, administration and all other member services continue to operate as usual. Contact telephone numbers and email addresses for individual staff members appear below. All staff continue to work remotely.

If you are posting items to the office, including samples for genomic testing, please make sure to allow extra time for these to reach us. We are experiencing significant delays with postage and access to the office building is restricted.

Classification: Our classifiers are continuing to visit members in regional Victoria operating in accordance with a COVID Safe Plan and within guidelines set by Holstein Australia.

Phil Hentschke, our South Australian based classifier, is commencing classification visits in Queensland from 10^th August onwards.

Currently there is no classification taking place in NSW, TAS or WA. Holstein Australia is monitoring the situation with regard to interstate travel and will advise as soon as these services can resume.

UPDATED WEDNESDAY 22 JULY 2020

With Greater Melbourne, which includes the Holstein Australia office at Bundoora, currently under stage 3 restrictions we can confirm that our business operations and provision of services to members will continue as usual with office staff continuing to work from home and our classification and field staff all based outside the Greater Melbourne area.

Our classifiers are currently operating throughout Victoria and in South Australia with strict hygiene and health and safety protocols in place. We expect to make an announcement in the next few weeks regarding classification visits in Queensland and NSW.

Telephone contact details for office staff

Registrations, accounts and general enquiries: Contact Julie or Celia on 03 9835 7600 between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm AEST.

Registration catch-up: Simon Adams on 0438 505 746
Genomics: Rohan on 0428 135 361 and Miranda on 0407 456 489
Admin and governance: Graeme on 0417 888 901 and David on 0417 303 826
Communications: Adam on 0401 096 507

Email contact details for essential services

Member Services enquiries, registrations, transfers, awards etc: enquiry@holstein.com.au
Accounts enquiries: accounts@holstein.com.au
Region, Sub-Branch and governance enquires: governance@holstein.com.au
Communications: asawell@holstein.com.au

Thank you to the many members who have contacted the office since this week’s announcement of the Melbourne lockdown. We really appreciate it! While it may take us a little longer than usual to return phone calls or respond to emails at the moment, it is very much business as usual and we will get back to you. Stay safe everyone.

UPDATED 2.30PM TUESDAY 27 MAY 2020

From 1st June Holstein Australia will recommence classification visits throughout Gippsland, North West and North Central Victoria, Riverina NSW and South Australia.

This is the first stage of a phased reintroduction of the class tour, with other regions and states to be included as state and territory travel restrictions are eased. Expanding the class tour to further regions will be assessed on an ongoing basis and communicated to members.

Members can book classification visits in the usual way by contacting John Crowther on 0428 813 058 or via email at jcrowther@holstein.com.au. Specials will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

To protect the health and safety of our members and their families, our class team and the communities within which they live and work, Holstein Australia has introduced a number of health and safety classification visit protocols which can be downloaded for future reference.

Prior to your class visit members will be asked a number of questions to confirm the COVID-19 free status of personnel and family members at the property to be visited.
During the farm visit Holstein Australia staff will observe social distancing and personal hygiene procedures as recommended by Australia’s Chief Medical Officer.

Holstein Australia CEO, Graeme Gillan, says that this is a significant first step towards the reintroduction of field services for all members.

“We are taking things one step at a time with the health and welfare of our members and staff uppermost in our mind. Within the regions we will be operating in from 1 June we can provide our classification service while meeting all current restrictions and guidelines. Looking ahead we look forward to extending the tour further as state and territory restrictions are eased and the ability for our classification team to undertake multi-day trips safely becomes easier.”

UPDATED 2.30PM THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2020

We are still Open for Business!

As we move towards what is quickly becoming the new way of doing business we thought it would help for you to have direct contacts for each of the services we provide to members.

As you know our staff are working from home and are set up to help with your enquiries in the usual way, Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. We do ask for your patience and understanding if we sometimes take a little longer to respond as your call may go to voicemail. We ask you if possible to email your requests instead of using the phone where an email address has been provided below.

By phone

For registrations, accounts and general enquiries Julie and Celia can still be contacted on 03 9835 7600 between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm.

Direct Office Services and staff contacts

Registration catch-up: Simon Adams on 0438 505 746
Genomics: Rohan on 0428 135 361 and Miranda on 0407 456 489
Admin and governance: Graeme on 0417 888 901 and David on 0417 303 826
Communications: Adam on 0401 096 507

Our relevant emails addresses are:

Member Services enquiries, registrations, transfers, awards etc: enquiry@holstein.com.au
Accounts enquiries: accounts@holstein.com.au
Region, Sub-Branch and governance enquires: governance@holstein.com.au
Communications: asawell@holstein.com.au

Thank you for your co-operation.

Graeme Gillan, Chief Executive Officer

UPDATED 2.30 PM MONDAY 23 MARCH 2020

Holstein Australia staff relocate off-site.

Following the message sent to members last Friday and after the most recent Government measures announced over the weekend Holstein Australia’s office at AgriBio will close effective immediately with all office staff now working from home.

As advised last week our staff will continue to support member and client services through the usual means including the same contact phone numbers and email however please be patient as we process your requests in this new working environment.

COVID-19 Member update 20 March 2020

In light of the rapidly unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, Holstein Australia will endeavour to continue to deliver services to our members and clients with steps put in place to safeguard the Holstein community in which we all live and work.

As a result we advise the following steps and protocols have been put in place:

The Holstein Australia Office will remain open with some staff working from home. Office services will continue as usual however please be patient as we adapt to this new work environment.
Member Services including phone enquiries, registrations, transfers and ET are unaffected and continue as usual.
Deliveries to AgriBio are continuing and samples for Genomic testing should still be sent to the office in the usual way.
Starting today Classification tours will be suspended until Easter Monday, 13^th April. During this time we will be closely monitoring government protocols on public movement and review the tour after Easter. Also effective immediately our field staff will no longer travel interstate by air restricting our national classification coverage.
Member gatherings for Sub branch activities should only be held provided they strictly comply with Australian Government requirements.

Holstein Australia is committed to providing services to our members and clients and to the health and welfare of our staff. We trust that everyone understands the state of affairs we are working under in these challenging times.

We will update you should circumstances change that affect our service delivery. Thank you for your continued support of your Association.

If there are any questions please do not hesitate to contact the office or me directly. I wish you and your family well as we all find our way forward in this very challenging new environment.

Regards

Graeme Gillan, Chief Executive Officer