STAFF WRITERS
THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has announced the outcome of its elections for president and vice president, as well as a number of commodity group roles.
Member-elected Brett Hosking is president and Peter Star vice president.
Mr Hosking is an experienced agricultural advocate and has previously served as vice president of the VFF and president of the grains group. He is a fifth-generation mixed farmer from Quambatook in the Mallee region, where he grows wheat, barley, canola, lentils, field peas as well as running sheep and cattle.
He replaces Mirboo North resident Emma Germano, who served the maximum two two-year terms over four years.
Mr Hosking believed the VFF’s greatest opportunities came through strong members, branches and commodity groups aligned together under stable and inclusive leadership where informed and enthusiastic voices combine to create greater outcomes for all farmers.
His deputy, Mr Star, is a livestock farmer from Talangatta in the state’s north-east, and has been VFF Livestock Vice President since 2022.
Among a host of previous experience, he is the current VFF representative to the National Wild Dog Action Plan Stakeholder Consultative Group. He has also held positions on the VFF Land Management Committee, served as the Livestock Council Representative to the VFF Board and is a current member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Returned to their positions after uncontested elections were VFF United Dairyfarmers of Victoria President Bernie Free, livestock president Scott Young and vice president Peter Miller, and VFF livestock commodity councillors Graeme Mahar, Trent Anderson and Bradley Venning.
Ms Germano was first elected in 2020, becoming the VFF’s first female president in 30 years.
