DPI Ellinbank in the Community

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

The Social and Economic Impact of DPI EllinbankDPI Ellinbank on the Baw in Baw the Shire Community Community

Acknowledgements

This report was jointly written by Sue Keirnan, DPI Ellinbank, Team Coordinator - Statewide Communications Services, and Julie Groube, La Trobe University Behavioural Science graduate. Thank you to Jason Keating (Gippsland Agribusiness Initiative), Bruce Weston, Richard Green and John Boomsma for their assistance with research and information. Thanks also to all the staff who took the time to participate in the survey.

Photographs of students participating in Ellinbank’s Cool Ag Science program printed with the kind permission of Garfield PS (part of the Drouin Innovations & Excellence Cluster).

DPI Ellinbank Staff

Find out more information about DPI on the Internet at: www.dpi.vic.gov.au

Department of Primary Industries - Ellinbank RMB 2460, Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank, Victoria 3821

ISBN: 1 74146 123 5

Disclaimer

This publication may be of assistance to you, but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore, disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

Contents

Acknowledgments ……………………………………………………………….. 2

Executive Summary ……………………………….……………………………….. 4

Foreword ………………………………………………………………………….. 5

Industry Overview ……………………………………………………………... 6

Part I – Benefits to the Agricultural Community ……………………………. 7

Influences of DPI Ellinbank on the Catchment ….…………… 8 Spotlight on Ellinbank .………………………………………… 9

Part II – Benefits to the General Community ………………………………… 12

Economic Benefits ……………………………………………… 12 Social Benefits ………………………………………………….. 13

References …………………………………………..…………………………….. 17

Appendix …………………………………………..……………………………… 18

A – Information Statement ………………………………….… 18 B – Staff Survey ……………………………………………….… 19 C –Organisations in Receipt of Voluntary Contributions .…. 26 DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

Executive Summary

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Ellinbank staff make a significant Ellinbank is one of 19 research centres located contribution to the professional skill base across metropolitan and regional Victoria. It is within the Baw Baw Shire with 83.3% also one of Baw Baw Shire’s largest providers of holding an educational qualification ie local employment and has over 82 staff members Masters, PhD and/or Certificate. - 60% male and 40% female. Within the social fabric of Baw Baw, Located at the western end of the Gippsland Ellinbank staff members actively volunteer region, the Ellinbank district also falls within their time and skills to the community. On the Shire of Baw Baw and is just over 110 km average, Ellinbank staff members contribute east of the Victorian capital of Melbourne. The over 4,700 hours per year to 75 Shire itself has a regional population of more organisations. Supplementary to these than 35,000 people and its largest commercial figures, are the contributions of their centre, Warragul, has a population of over respective families of a further 5,389 hours 10,000 people. per year to 52 organisations.

The financial benefits generated by DPI Adding to the cultural diversity of Baw Baw Ellinbank for Warragul, and the general Shire Shire are the 23% of staff members who equates to more than $8.8 million annually were born outside Australia with some through the provision of staff salaries, capital coming from as far away as Swaziland, expenditure and operational costs. Jamaica and the USA. Approximately 40% of this revenue are generated from non-government (ie non- taxpayer) sources via funding from external industry bodies and income from commercial work. As part of DPI Ellinbank’s normal business practice, local contractors and research materials are sourced locally wherever possible. Each year, numerous visiting farmers, scientists, students and other industry representatives from other Victorian regions, interstate and overseas come to DPI Ellinbank – they also patronise various food and accommodation businesses in the surrounding townships, and boost the local economy.

As a direct correlation of the employment opportunities provided by the DPI Ellinbank The New Dairy Open Day at Ellinbank in February Centre, its staff members have invested heavily 2004 attracted visitors from as far away as Ireland, into the community both socially and New Zealand and Western Australia. economically. ABOVE: Farmers and other visitors watch the new dairy being run through its paces. Eighty seven percent of staff members are BELOW: Ellinbank Business Services staff cooking permanent Shire residents who either own a up a storm for a hungry crowd at the Open Day! property or are paying off a mortgage. One fifth of the staff also have other business interests within the Shire that offer extra employment opportunities to other locals.

Over 88 percent of staff have a partner (husband, wife, de facto), and 74.1% have children – 56% of these children attend educational institutions with the clear majority being educated within Baw Baw Shire schools. DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

Foreword

DPI Ellinbank in the Community

For over 50 years, the district of Ellinbank has community and, in their professional been a home to Victorian Government capacity, as contributors to industry growth agricultural research. Known simply as and public well being. “Ellinbank” to the locals and dairy farming community, the site itself has been transformed from a small research station back in the early 1950s to become an internationally recognised centre for world class science and extension.

In its present form, the site is officially known as the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Ellinbank, and it is set on the edge of the beautiful and ancient Strzelecki Ranges in the middle of prime dairying country. DPI Ellinbank farm staff member working in the Ellinbank spreads across a 217 hectare site new Commercial & Research Dairy that was comprising of a research farm, the main opened in December 2003. building complex, two research dairies, an animal research complex, laboratories, workshops and a herd of 450 well cared for The whole philosophy behind the research Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. The actual and extension services at DPI Ellinbank is scientific research work is conducted through about being a “catalyst” for industry best a division of DPI known as Primary practice and improving performance on Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic). farms.

Since the Victorian Government’s commitment to invest $12.6 million into DPI Ellinbank, the site is now being completely redeveloped as Australia’s largest state-of- the-art dairy and environmental research facility. That investment is generating for Ellinbank staff some interesting times ahead and it will allow them to use contemporary research, development and extension (RD&E) facilities to explore new areas of science for “community good”. The new Animal Research Complex now ready for the latest nutrition and greenhouse research work. The flow on effect will increase DPI’s science capability to generate modern ideas and There is a diverse group of people working practical technologies that advance the within DPI Ellinbank in terms of the scope of sustainable economic growth of Victoria, work that they do and the nature of whilst taking into account strong community personalities that go with them. Their desire to protect our natural resources. contributions to our community, both locally and internationally, are multifaceted and they The aim of this report is to demonstrate the impact at many levels. The influence of DPI impact of DPI Ellinbank in our Community. Ellinbank staff can be measured across social, economic and environmental scales – these Chris Grainger scales can be further split between their Centre Manager personal impact as members of the

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Industry Overview

Agriculture is a vital part of Australia’s economy export facilities, Gippsland’s agribusiness and in 2001, the gross value of agricultural products are consumed throughout Australia production in Australia stood at $34.2 billion and are exported all over the world. (Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2002). With a farm gate production value of $3.7 billion The thriving dairy industry within Gippsland dollars, dairying is Australia’s third largest rural produced in excess of two billion litres of milk in industry, behind wheat and beef (Australian 2000/01 (approximately 32% of Victoria’s dairy Dairy Corporation (ADC), 2002; Institute of Land production or 19% of Australia’s dairy and Food Resources (ILFR), 2001). production) (GippsDairy, 2001). There is a large dairy-processing sector within the region The majority of the nation’s dairy farming occurs producing fresh milk, milk powder, butter, in Victoria, and is concentrated in three main cheese and other dairy products for domestic and areas; the southwest, around Warrnambool; the significant export markets. In 2000, Gippsland’s north, around Echuca and Kerang; and dairy exports were valued at approximately $760 Gippsland, around Warragul and Sale (See million. Figure 1). In recent times, several specialty cheese businesses have emerged and are producing a wide range of cheeses and other value added dairy products - for example, the Jindi Cheese Company’s award winning Jindi Brie, World Champion 2002 - which are keenly sought after, (Gippsland Agribusiness Initiative, 2001).

The Victorian dairy community is characterised by closely settled intensive farming areas with a network of small country towns – typified across Baw Baw Shire – that are largely dependent upon Figure 1. Dairy Production Areas in Victoria (NRE, the viability of the industry (Boomsma, 2000). It is 2002a) also worth noting that Monash University, through its Gippsland Region Information These regions shown in Figure 1 are those that Service, surveyed the Gippsland dairy industry receive the highest rainfall, or those areas that are in 2000 and found that for every $1 of income to irrigated (northern Victoria and central a dairy farm that there was a flow-on to the Gippsland). Victoria’s natural advantages immediate area of $2.64 (South Gippsland Shire, provide an ideal setting for agricultural March 03). These compare well to similar production. While around 85% of Victoria’s statistics across the rest of Gippsland (Target 10). private land is used for agricultural production, After taking into account direct employment it is home to just 3 percent of the nation’s provided by the industry, there is an ongoing agricultural land (Kefford, 2002). Despite this, multiplier effect in terms of indirect employment more than 63 percent of national milk production via other businesses across Baw Baw Shire and and over 80 percent of Australia’s dairy exports the rest of Gippsland. come from Victoria, (Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), 2002a; Responsible land management is the key focus GippsDairy, 2002; ILFR, 2001). for the majority of the region’s farmers and landholders. Environmental plantings, The Gippsland catchment is home to over waterway restoration and protection, and tactical 280,000 people and is one of the most fertiliser applications are all now becoming economically diverse regions in Victoria, mainstream activities. Two catchment renowned for both production and fertility, and management authorities (CMAs), other State and as an attractive tourist destination. local governments – including Baw Baw Shire – and community groups such as LandCare and Approximately one-third of Victoria’s dairy waste management groups will help to ensure production occurs in Gippsland, a region the ongoing sustainability of Gippsland’s natural strategically located to key domestic markets and resources.

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Part I – Benefits to the Agricultural Community

From DPI Ellinbank’s traditional research roots, the scope of work has expanded into speciality More and more, the consideration of how our areas of pasture and grazing management, dairy resources can be responsibly shared and used has cow nutrition, dairy shed technologies, soils and gone over to planning on catchment and global fertilisers, greenhouse abatement in agriculture scales. For example, strategies for improving and natural resource management. The majority water quality for both agricultural and lifestyle of this work is conducted as a partnership across pursuits; or strategies for reducing agricultural the network of DPI’s Primary Industries Research greenhouse emissions and providing evidence of Victoria (PIRVic) centres, as well as several ‘clean and green’ production systems to avoid universities, and other research, industry and potential environmental trade barriers. government bodies.

These days, our community has become more The public face of DPI discerning and science now faces the challenge of Ellinbank striking the right balance between consumer demands for safe, quality and affordable food; Complex issues require a diversity of skills to find efficient farming and management practices; and solutions. As a generalisation, Ellinbank has the preservation of our environmental resources. groups of people focused on research, The primary role of DPI Ellinbank is to show development and extension (dairy, beef and leadership and provide expert solutions to these environment). The latter component is the step issues in the context of our agricultural industries where “new knowledge” is transferred into the and community. community through a combination of “hands on” education programs, discussion groups, seminars Industry Trends and consultative advice offered to farmers along with a host of other learning support tools, eg the Major industry and government investments into internet, the media and industry literature. research have identified farm management practices that can improve profitability, There are also a number of other skilled people productivity and sustainability in the dairy involved with communication activities, biometrics, evaluation, animal health and welfare, catchment management, rural finance counselling and LandCare services, as well as the business support and administrative staffs.

From a marketing point of view, the Baw Baw and Gippsland region is fast being recognised for its ‘clean, green and quality’ production systems – the challenge into the future will be to substantiate, increase and protect this image (Gippsland Agribusiness Initiative, 2001). industry (Boomsma, 2000). It is this ‘local’ science and extension work happening right on the doorstep of Baw Baw As the dairy industry has grown, farms have Shire that will help to protect that image. decreased in numbers, but grown in size. As Professionally, DPI Ellinbank contributes major these farms have become more efficient and social, economic and environmental benefits to competitive, a series of other factors have entered industry and communities right across Baw Baw the equation in terms of how the industry can Shire. This influence also extends further afield remain economically sustainable within existing both nationally and internationally, (see Spotlight land resources and community expectation. on Ellinbank section for examples).

Ellinbank’s Pasture & Conservation Specialist discusses animal feed strategies with farmers at a field day. Page 6 DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

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Spotlight on Ellinbank

Over the years, Ellinbank has attained a showcase of nationally and internationally recognised projects … from grazing and cropping land, and sewerage Australia’s largest project on nutrient discharges. PIRVic’s Soils & Water team is management issues developing the use of biological marking The seven-year Phosphorus for Dairy Farms (PfDF) technology – biomarkers – to chemically project was run in collaboration with fertiliser “fingerprint” the sources of contaminants from companies, the State Government and universities. land to water on both farm and catchment scales. The challenge for the team was to find a way to Potentially, this new technology can be used to balance the use of fertilisers by dairy farmers for help control point sources of pollution that can maintaining productivity in pasture based grazing generate poisonous algal blooms in waterways. systems versus the impact of nutrient For example, the major algal bloom events that contamination in our water storages, lakes and sometimes occur within the Gippsland Lakes rivers. As well as being widely published, the system can in turn impact on tourism, fishing, PfDF team tooks its successful research findings on water sport activities and ultimately, the region’s ‘roadshows’ to dairy farmers right across the economy. Australian continent. Setting the international standard on milk calibration Proven milk quality and traceability ensures that the dairy industry has consistent international market access. Ellinbank’s “Somatic Cell” (Cel- CalTM) and “Fat, Protein and Lactose” (FPL-CalTM) standards help laboratory managers across Australia and overseas to calibrate their milk Putting the latest dairy industry testing instruments. Ellinbank’s calibration management technologies services have now achieved international recognition as an into farmers’ hands accredited (NATA) Target 10’s statewide dairy reference material extension program aims to producer. improve Victoria’s dairy community by helping

Taking science on the road with the PfDF team. Farmers responded with an enthusiastic ‘thumbs The Ellinbank Milk up’ and comments such as “… now I understand the need to change my fertiliser use and why!” Meter (Independent Project Survey, 2002) In response to an industry request for the development of an easy to use, low cost milk meter and farmers to confidently manage their farms both sampler for Australian dairy farmers, the Ellinbank profitably and productively. The value of on-farm Milk Meter, (now marketed as the “ELi-meter”), improvements resulting from Target 10 programs was designed, tested and patented at Ellinbank. It is conservatively estimated at $8.5 million per year. is now being manufactured in Warragul, provides Some 79% of Victorian dairy farmers have jobs for Gippslanders, is now being installed in benefited directly from Target 10 or expect to dairies around Australia and breaking into benefit in the future. overseas markets.

Cutting edge ‘tracing’ technology Milk calibration In the battle to improve water quality, we firstly sachets ready for delivery to laboratories need to know the source of the contaminants – around Australia and these may include runoff from urban areas, runoff overseas

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address this need. Research has shown that many Temperatures rise with greenhouse and farms can improve their milk harvesting climate change productivity and lifestyle by simple changes to Australian agriculture contributes around 18% milking routine, better cow training or with of all greenhouse gas emissions in Australia – it modifications to existing cleaning systems produces 60% of all methane emissions and 78% without having to build a whole new dairy. of all nitrous oxide emissions. DPI Ellinbank is contributing to a major national and cross- industry research program entitled the Agricultural science is just so cool! Greenhouse & Climate Change in Agriculture Capturing the imagination and interest of “middle program. Through DPI’s research division years” school students in a live science environ- PIRVic, Ellinbank is undertaking a leading role ment is just one of the aims of Ellinbank’s Cool Ag investigating ways to reduce methane losses Science (Cool AS) program. To allow young from cattle whilst at the same time converting people to make informed decisions about their those energy losses into producing more milk – future careers, they need to be offered the chance a ‘win win’ solution for both farmers and the to experience things for themselves. As well as environment! gaining the opportunity to learn about Victorian agricultural science, the Cool AS program’s practical approach allows them to interact with Ellinbank staff and try things out for themselves. Measuring methane as it’s breathed out

Measuring enteric methane – as the cow breathes out samples are drawn into an evacuated collar Students experimenting in DPI Ellinbank’s attached to her neck. laboratories.

Naturally Victorian … of course!

It’s CowTime! Proving our fresh produce is clean – Ellinbank is the base for managing the State’s chemical residue Making milking time easier and more monitoring programs for fresh fruit and productive has been identified as a key goal for vegetables. By using sound science to verify that the Australian dairy our food is clean and safe, we have reliable proof industry. DPI Ellin- to ensure market accessibility both here and bank, in partnership overseas for ‘Naturally Victorian’ produce. with the University of Melbourne, has developed the national CowTime project to specifically

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Spotlight on Ellinbank

Reducing feed costs for farmers Taking special care of riparian areas on farms

Improved silage practices can save farmers Many farms across Gippsland have natural waterways many thousands of dollars a year in flowing through them. The Productive Grazing, Healthy Rivers project team is aiming to show dairy supplementary cattle feed costs and reduce and beef farmers how to care for the delicate balance the “unseen” losses during harvesting, between the biodiversity found within farm riparian storage and feedout. Ellinbank is the zones and land managed for intensive grazing Victorian base for the national TopFodder purposes. Silage extension program which aims to help farmers reduce their costs, lift production and returns, eliminate wastage and improve their pasture management techniques. TopFodder Silage provides farmers, silage contractors and industry advisers access to information and expertise about silage in Australia.

Linger, longer lactations

The practice of “extending lactation” is defined as any lactation in which cows milk for more than 300 days. Recent dairy industry surveys revealed a high level of farmer interest in the idea of extending lactation cycles as a means for improving cow reproductive performance, reducing dependence on calving inductions, spreading labour requirements across the season and accessing premiums for off-peak milk. As part of a two year Extended Lactation program at Ellinbank, a series of experiments will be conducted in the new Animal Research Riparian zones are areas of land adjacent to Complex to help farmers assess the ‘pros and waterways and careful management of these zones cons’ of this type of farm management provides many productive on farm benefits such as system. reduced erosion and better water quality. There are also wider environmental and community benefits including improved habitat for both native plants Waste not, want not! and animals. Trying to get both environmentally Ellinbank Water Laboratory friendly and economic benefits out of ‘sludgy DPI Ellinbank’s salty by-products’ is a challenge that most Water Laboratory is people would stick in the too hard basket! The NATA accredited dairy industry spends well over $20 million a and provides a year on managing dairy waste alone. As part specialised range of of the Dairy Industry Sustainability water and Consortium headed by DPI Ellinbank, the wastewater $4.4 million Closing the Loop project team is analytical services investigating alternative options to landfill for for both industry industry waste products, such as the recycling of and community. industry solid wastes for use as stock feeds, fertilisers or composts.

Page 10 DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

Part II – Benefits to the General Community

Economic Benefits

The location of the Department of Primary Industries research centre at Ellinbank helps to $2,000,000 inject a large amount of money into the local $1,500,000 economy. The total turnover of the site is estimated at $8.8 million a year. Part of this is a $1,000,000

$5.4 million salary budget, which funds the Value direct employees of DPI Ellinbank. In addition $500,000 to this, many contractors are employed. These $0 can range from professional consultancy 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 services to printing work, trade and Financial Year maintenance to casual labour, cleaning and veterinary services to farm contractors. Figure Figure 2. Capital Expenditure Budget for DPI 1 demonstrates the value of these contractors Ellinbank. for the 2001/02 financial year.

This increase naturally benefits the Shire $250,000 community and economy, as goods and $200,000 services are sourced locally wherever possible. $150,000 $100,000 The research centre itself is also a valuable Value $50,000 asset. Worth around $6.6 million dollars, it $0 comprises items such as prime agricultural land, buildings, research infrastructure, machinery, equipment, plants and livestock. Printing Cleaning As Australia’s largest dryland dairy institute Professional (Department of Natural Resources and Casual Labour Veterinary/farm Environment, 1992), the institute is an important asset to the Shire of Baw Baw. Trades/Maintenance Type of Contractor

Figure 1. Value of Contractors Employed by DPI Ellinbank for the 2002/03 financial year.

Since the majority of staff members and locally sourced contractors at DPI Ellinbank are residents of Baw Baw Shire, it is reasonable to assume that the majority of the centre’s $5.4 million salary budget is spent in this vicinity.

The institute’s capital expenditure budget Local contractors harvesting the maize crop on the continues to increase, resting at $1.98 million DPI Ellinbank farm for the 2002/03 financial year.

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Social Benefits

As members of a community, people contribute benefits that the Department of Primary to make the society in which they live a better Industries research facility at Ellinbank place. These contributions come about in many provides to the Shire of Baw Baw’s general ways - some purely as a result of living while community. others arise from more conscious efforts. By simply living in a community, people contribute to the cultural diversity of that Method society. They also make an investment into that community in choosing where and how Participants: Fifty-four of the staff at DPI they live. Income is injected into the local Ellinbank participated in the study. Both males economy as a result of their employment and and females were invited to participate on a the flow on effect of that also supports local voluntary basis and were made aware of the business. aims of the investigation.

People also bring skills and a knowledge base Materials: Participants were given an with them - an invaluable resource for the information statement that provided an community. The increase in size of the overview of the aims of the study and also community also provides many benefits for informed them of their rights as participants in local programs and services. a research investigation. An information statement, which does not require the In terms of more deliberate efforts to improve participant to sign, was used to ensure the the ‘quality of life’ within a community, its anonymity of staff. members may also choose to make a number of voluntary contributions. This kind of Participants were required to fill in a survey contribution can range anywhere from simply that addressed areas such as generic supporting a club by being a member, to being background information, their voluntary intricately involved in the day to day running contribution and that of their families to the of an organization. community, and their involvement with other businesses within the Shire of Baw Baw. These The value of voluntary efforts can be documents were provided in both a print and understood in terms of both economic and online version for ease of completion. social benefits. Procedure: Participants were required to read The economic value of volunteering in Victoria the information statement, and if they has been valued at $10 billion consented to taking part in the research, to (Soupourmas & Ironmonger, 2002). complete the survey and, depending on the But the value of volunteering is much more mode of completion, return it to a locked box than monetary. Volunteers improve our located at the reception or email it to the communities by providing services and researcher. actively working for change, serving as the “invisible workforce in our communities” (p.15, Results and Discussion Soupourmas & Ironmonger). The data was collected and collated. Investigation revealed that of the 82 staff A year 2000 voluntary work survey revealed employed at the Ellinbank institute, 20 of these that 1.1 million Victorians contributed nearly were not on site at the time of the study. So 200 million hours per year as volunteers from the 62 staff who were invited to (ABS, 2001c). participate in the survey, 54 took part, indicating a response rate of 87.1%. Supporting these social values are the many staff members at DPI Ellinbank who also put in Analysis revealed that the average age of their time and effort to the community. The participants was 40.6 years with a minimum of aim of this investigation was to assess this 18 and a maximum of 55. The gender contribution in order to demonstrate the social breakdown of staff at the Ellinbank site shows a

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60% male and 40% female split while In terms of income, results also revealed that: respondents to the survey were 46% male and 54% female. Participants’ country of origin is DPI Ellinbank provides a main source of displayed in Figure 1. income for 74.1% of its staff families.

This is, in turn, put back into the community. 77% Support for local businesses and the generation of local employment also occurs by way of Ellinbank staff and families through their employment with, and ownership of, other 13% businesses within the Shire of Baw Baw. Thirty 4% 4% 2% three percent of staff and their families contribute 803 hours per week to 28 other businesses within the Shire, while: aus usa uk nz other .

Figure 1. Participants Country of Origin 20.4% own businesses within the Shire, employing 45 staff, 28 of which are full- Figure 1 demonstrates that with 23% of staff time. born overseas, the staff at DPI Ellinbank contribute to the cultural diversity of the Shire of Baw Baw. While the most dominant country Of the 82 staff at DPI Ellinbank, 88.9% have of origin was Australia (shown in Figure 1), partners of which 91.7% live with them. 74.1% other countries in which staff members were of staff have children with an average of 1.9 born include the United States of America, children per staff member. Through these England, New Zealand, Swaziland and partners and family members, an extension of Jamaica. Of the staff members born in all the above benefits provided by DPI Australia, 90.5% are from Victoria, 4.8% from Ellinbank to the Shire of Baw Baw occurs. New South Wales and 2.4% from both Tasmania and Western Australia. This A distinct advantage that the children of staff indicates that while DPI Ellinbank primarily provide to the Shire is that they increase provides jobs for Victorians, it also attracts numbers in schools. people from other states of Australia into the 56.3% of staff children currently attend Shire of Baw Baw. Figure 2 demonstrates the residency status of DPI Ellinbank staff. educational institutions, 81.0% of which are located within the Shire of Baw Baw. 83.3%

Figure 3 provides a further breakdown to level of education for those currently attending.

44.8% 13.0% 3.7% 27.6% permanently within shire temporarily within shire do not reside within shire 6.9% 12.1% 8.6%

Figure 2. Residency Status of DPI Ellinbank staff. childcare kindergarten primary

As shown in Figure 2, 87.0% of DPI Ellinbank secondary tertiary staff live within the Shire of Baw Baw. Of these, 36.2% own their home and 38.3% are Figure 3. Level of education of those children paying off a mortgage. In doing so, these staff currently attending. are making an investment in the Shire of Baw Baw and helping the community to grow. Of Figure 3 indicates that staff children are the remaining staff that reside within the Shire, predominantly placed in secondary and 21.3% are renting and 4.3% are boarding. This primary education. Of the children attending also helps to build the community and bring childcare, 85.7% of these are within the Shire of income into the Shire. Baw Baw and 17% of these centres are public.

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Of those children attending kindergarten, 50% Figure 4 demonstrates that more staff of these are located within the Shire, all of contributed to sports and recreational which are public. 81.3% of primary schools organisations than any other organisation. attended by staff children are within the Shire Community/welfare services, education and of Baw Baw with 92% of these public. Of the training, and environmental/animal welfare children attending secondary schools, 100% of followed this. these are located within the Shire, and 69.2% of Figure 5 demonstrates the distribution of these are public schools. None of the tertiary voluntary hours contributed by staff over the institutions attended by staff children are different categories. located within the Shire of Baw Baw.

19.3% Increased numbers of children in schools helps to both increase funding and to keep schools 39.1% 1.0% open. Other programs and clubs alike benefit 12.8% for this same reason. 3.0% 15.2% 0.1% The functioning of organisations and services 3.0% 6.5% within the community is highly dependent on the efforts of volunteers to keep them running. community/welfare sports/recreation Results demonstrated that: education/ arts/cultural religious environment A total of 4710 hours per year are law/justice/political business/professional voluntarily contributed by DPI Ellinbank emergency services staff to 75 organisations and services and Figure 5. Percentage of hours contributed to each another 5389 hours per year by their category by DPI Ellinbank staff. families to 52 organisations and services within the Shire of Baw Baw. Figure 5 demonstrates that, in accordance with the previous result, sports and recreational Figure 4 demonstrates the percentage of organisations receive the most hours. contribution of DPI Ellinbank staff to different Education, and community and welfare categories of organisations and services. These followed this. What does differ however, is categories were drawn from an International that while environmental/animal welfare ranks Year of the Volunteer Report written by fourth for the number of staff contributing, Soupourmas and Ironmonger (2002), (see religion clearly receives many more hours of Appendix C). They include community and service. Figure 6 demonstrates the percentage welfare; sport and recreation; education, of contribution of staff families to the different training and youth development; arts and categories of organisations and services. culture; health; religion; environmental and animal welfare; law/justice/politics; business/ professional; and emergency services. 22% 17% 26% 17% 6%

4% 4% 8% 4% 19% 19% 12% 12% 2% 2% 4% 4% 3% 15% community/welfare sports/recreation community/welfare sports/recreation education/ health education/ arts/cultural arts/cultural religious religious environment environment law/justice/political law/justice/political business/professional business/professional emergency services emergency services Figure 4. Percentage of Total DPI Ellinbank Staff Figure 6. Percentage of Total Contribution by Staff Contribution to Categories of Organisations and Families to Categories of Organisations and Services. Services

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Figure 6 shows that community and welfare 60 organisations were contributed to by more staff 50 families than any other organisation or service. % Education, sports and recreation, 40 environmental/animal welfare and religion also 30 received large contributions. Figure 7 displays 20 the distribution of voluntary hours contributed Percentage 10 by staff families to the different organisations and services. 0 Ph.D. Masters 17.3% Bachelor Certificate 39.6% Assoc. Dip Postgrad. Dip Undergrad. Dip Qualification 17.6% 3.9% 1.0% Figure 7. Percentage of Staff Holding Educational 0.2% 2.0% 10.8% 6.8% Qualifications. 0.9%

community/welfare sports/recreation Figure 7 shows that over 51.9% of the staff at education/ health DPI Ellinbank hold bachelor qualifications. arts/cultural religious Further to this, Ph.D., Masters and Certificate qualifications are each held by 18.5% of staff. environment law/justice/political business/professional emergency services The longest serving staff member at DPI Figure 7. Percentage of hours contributed to each Ellinbank’s has been on site for 32 years while category by staff families. the newest member was just 1 month. This is shown in Figure 8, where the distribution of Figure 7 shows that community and welfare years served at Ellinbank has been plotted.

organisations and services receive the most 8 f hours from staff families by far with 39.6% of 6 the total contribution. Education, sports and 4 recreation and religion also receive large 2 contributions. 0 Number of Staf 1 4 7 -2 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 A voluntary contribution refers to involvement Number of Years in an organisation’s continued existence through being a member, committee member Figure 8. Years of Service at DPI Ellinbank. or executive member. It also refers to other contributions that serve to benefit others As can be seen from Figure 8, a number of staff through efforts such as fundraising or simply members at DPI Ellinbank have been on site for volunteering time to help out with an event. up to 16 years, while the average number of years of service with DPI Ellinbank is 7.1 years. The results from this section of the survey This serves to regarding the voluntary contribution of staff demonstrate and their families to various organisations and that for the services within the Shire of Baw Baw, serves to results shown demonstrate that staff and their families play above, there is an active role within their community. a certain consistency in In professional terms, 83.3% of staff at DPI these benefits Ellinbank have achieved an educational that the qualification. Figure 8 demonstrates the community percentage of staff holding educational receives from qualifications. DPI Ellinbank. PIRVic Ellinbank Scientist collecting field samples

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References

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2001b). Kefford, B. (2002). Victoria’s Food and Agricultural Commodities 2000-2001. Cat Agricultural Sector in 2020. NRE: Vic. 7121.0. ABS: ACT Soupourmas, F., & Ironmonger, D. (2002). Australian Bureau of Statistics (2001c). Giving Time: The Economic and Social Value Voluntary Work Survey: Australia 2000. Cat of Volunteering in Victoria. Department of 4441. ABS: ACT Human Services, Victoria: Melbourne.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2002). Australian Farming in Brief. Cat 7106.0. ABS: ACT

Australian Dairy Corporation (2002). Australian Dairy Industry in Focus 2002. ADC: Vic.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (1992). Ellinbank. NRE: Vic.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2000). Target 10: Empowering Dairy Communities to Manage Change. NRE: Vic.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2001). Gippsland Regional Agribusiness Overview. NRE: Vic.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2002a). The Victorian Dairy Industry. www.nre.vic.gov.au/web/root/do mino/cm_da/nrenfa.nsf/frameset/NRE+Far ming+and+Agriculture. Retrieved 10/01/2003.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2002b). Victorian Resources Online: West Gippsland. http://ctln05/web/ root/Domino/vro/wgregn.nsf/pages/wg_h omepage. Retrieved 13/01/2003.

GippsDairy (2002). Overview of the Gippsland Dairy Industry. http://workspace.dairyweb. com.au/Quickplace/gippsdairy/Main.nsf. Retrieved 30/01/2003.

Institute of Land and Food Resources (2001). Dairy Achievements in ILFR: Building Industry Resources Through Partnerships. www.landfood.unimelb.edu.au/dairy.htm l. Retrieved 24/01/2003.

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Appendix A STATE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA

INFORMATION STATEMENT

The Social and Economic Impact of DPI Ellinbank on The Shire of Baw Baw*

You are invited to take part in a study investigating the impact of the DPI research facility in Ellinbank on the Baw Baw Shire community. The location of this facility brings more people into the community and these people in turn contribute both socially and economically to society. The aim of this study is to evaluate this contribution that the staff at DPI Ellinbank and their families make to the Shire of Baw Baw. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire about the contribution that you, your partner and family make to the community. Participation in this study is anonymous.

The research is being supervised by Sue Keirnan and conducted by Julie Groube, a Behavioural Science graduate from La Trobe University. DPI Ellinbank is supporting and funding the study.

If you wish to participate, please read the declaration below.

I understand my rights as a participant in this research. The objectives and procedures of the study have been explained to me and I understand them. I have been advised that the results of the research may be published but that I may withdraw from the study at any time. I understand that by completing the questionnaire and returning it to the investigator, I consent to taking part in this study. If you have any comments to make on this research project, please contact Sue Keirnan, Communications Officer for DPI Ellinbank, RMB 2460 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank 3821. Telephone (03) 5624 2247, or email [email protected].

*Pending further information regarding the new name for the site at Ellinbank and for the purposes of this investigation, the Ellinbank facility will be referred to as DPI Ellinbank.

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Appendix B STATE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA

The Social and Economic Impact of DPI Ellinbank on the Shire of Baw Baw

Background Information

1. Age: ______

2. Gender: Male Female

3. Country of Birth: ______If Australia, in which state: ______

4. Do you have a partner? Yes No (Go to question 6)

5. Does your partner live with you? Yes No

6. Do you have children? If so, how many? Yes, I have _____ child/children No (Go to question 8)

7. How many of these children are in: Number Public Private Within the Shire? Childcare: Yes / No Kindergarten: Yes / No Primary Education: Yes / No Secondary Education: Yes / No Tertiary Education: Yes / No

8. Do you live within the Baw Baw Shire? Yes, permanently Yes, casually/temporarily No, I live elsewhere (Go to question 10)

9. What is the ownership status of your home within the Baw Baw Shire? Own Purchasing Renting Boarding

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Your Voluntary Contributions

10. Do you voluntarily contribute to any of the organisations listed below, within the Shire of Baw Baw (if yes, please specify)?

Community/Welfare Yes______No Sports/Recreational Yes______No Education/Training/Development Yes______No Health Yes______No Arts/Cultural Yes______No Religious Yes______No Environmental/Animal Welfare Yes______No Law/Justice/Political Yes______No Business/Professional/Union Yes______No Emergency Services Yes______No (If you answered no to all of the above, please go to question 13)

11. What roles do you perform in volunteering for these organisations (please identify if you fulfill a member, committee or executive role?

Community/Welfare ……………………………………………………………………………

member / committee / executive …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… Sports/Recreational ……………………………………………………………………………

member / committee / executive …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… Education/Training/Development…………………………………………………………………

member / committee / executive …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… Health ……………………………………………………………………………

member / committee / executive …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… Arts/Cultural ……………………………………………………………………………

member / committee / executive …………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………

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Religious ……………………………………………………………………………

member / committee / executive …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… Environmental/Animal Welfare ……………………………………………………………………

member / committee / executive …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… Law/Justice/Political ……………………………………………………………………………

member / committee / executive …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… Business/Professional/Union ………………………………………………………………………

member / committee / executive …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… Emergency Services ……………………………………………………………………………

12. How often would you undertake these activities and how much time would be devoted to making these voluntary contributions?

Frequency Weekly, fortnightly, Hours each time monthly, annually, etc. Community/Welfare Sports/Recreational Education/Training/Development Health Arts/Cultural Religious Environmental/Animal Welfare Law/Justice/Political Business/Professional/Union Emergency Services

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Voluntary Contributions of Your Partner and Family

13. Do you voluntarily contribute to any of the organisations listed below, within the Shire of Baw Baw (if yes, please specify)?

14. What roles do you perform in volunteering for these organisations (please identify if you fulfill a member, committee or executive role?

Community/Welfare ……………………………………………………………………………

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Religious ……………………………………………………………………………

15. How often would you undertake these activities and how much time would be devoted to making these voluntary contributions?

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Contribution to Other Businesses within the Baw Baw Shire

16. Do you, your partner and/or your family work for any other businesses within the Baw Baw Shire? If so, how many? Yes, we work for _____ other businesses No (Go to question 18)

17. How many hours per week do you, your partner and/or your family spend working for other businesses within the Baw Baw Shire? ______

18. Do you, your partner and/or your family own a business within the Baw Baw Shire? Yes No (Go to question 21) If yes, how many ______

19. How many people does the business employ? ______

20. Of these, how many are full time staff? ______

Industry/Work Related Information

21. How many years have you worked at DPI in Ellinbank? ______

22. How many years have you worked for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (or equivalent department)?______

23. Is income from DPI Ellinbank your family’s main source of income? Yes No

24. Which of the following educational qualifications do you hold? Ph.D. Masters Post Graduate Diploma Bachelor Undergraduate Diploma Associate Diploma Certificate

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Industry Related Contribution to the Community

25. Through your work at DPI Ellinbank, what do you see as the major benefits that this government organisation provides to the community? ______

Thank-you for your participation.

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Appendix C

CATEGORIES OF ORGANISATIONS AND SERVICES IN RECEIPT OF VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS Community/Welfare: Social Clubs Support/Counselling Groups Neighbourhood Houses/Community Centres General Welfare Services Elderly Welfare Services Disability Welfare Services Child Care Services Child Care Centres Playgroups Community Groups (CWA, Guides, Scouts, Legacy, RSL) Service Clubs (Apex, Rotary, Lions) Opportunity/Charity Shops Sports/Recreational: Sporting Clubs Hobby Clubs Craft Clubs Other Recreational Clubs Education/Training/Development: Pre-School Primary School Secondary School Special Schools Tertiary/Adult Education Employment Support Youth Clubs Youth Support Services Health: Hospitals Nursing Homes Hospital Support/Fundraising/Auxilliary Groups Community Health Care Centres Maternal Child Care Support and Self Help Groups Arts/Cultural: Arts Societies/Groups Dance Clubs Music Clubs Theatre Groups Libraries Local History Clubs/Museums Community Newspaper/Radio Groups Religious: Places of Worship/Groups Environmental/Animal Welfare: Environmental Groups Animal Welfare Groups Law/Justice/Political: Legal Services/Support Advocacy and Action Groups Police/Community Groups Political Groups Business/Professional/Union: Business Groups Union Organisations Emergency Services: Emergency CFA

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