Clover Hill Dairies Time Capsule

Back in 2010, our family dairy farm had just been named National Primary Producer of the Year, and we were invited to put in a Banksia Award application.

I’ve just rediscovered that application, both in print and tucked away in Dropbox, and it’s a monster. Almost 200 pages long. The actual award entry? Seven pages. The rest? Ten appendices that somehow stretched to 192 pages.

As someone who now judges awards, I can say with confidence this is the last thing a judge wants to see.

But I’m delighted I still have it. Flicking through, it’s the most extraordinary time capsule of that chapter in our farm’s history ,  the productivity gains, the conservation work, the community projects, even the early stirrings of what would become national agri-education programs.

What at the time felt like an exercise in paperwork overload now feels like a gift. A thick, overstuffed reminder of what we were doing, why we were doing it, and how much of it still matters.

#BanksiaAwards #DairyFarming #TimeCapsule #FarmingHistory #CloverHillDairies #SustainableAg #FromPaddockToPlate #AgriEducation #Landcare #PrimaryProducer

Author: Lynne Strong

I am a community advocate, storyteller and lifelong collaborator with a deep commitment to strengthening local democracy and amplifying regional voices. With roots in farming and decades of experience leading national initiatives like Action4Agriculture, I’ve dedicated my life to empowering the next generation and creating platforms where people feel seen, heard and valued. I believe in courage, kindness and the power of communities working together to shape their own future. These days, you’ll find me diving deep into the role of local media and civic engagement to explore how regional communities around the world are reclaiming their voice. View all posts by Lynne Strong