Fiona Hanks has been honoured with one of the most prestigious awards in the dairy industry, the 2025 Bette Hall Power of Women in Dairy Award.
Power of Women president Jade Sieben presented the award during International Dairy Week’s 35th anniversary dinner, describing Fiona as an essential part of the dairy industry, especially within the registered sector.
Fiona makes a significant input across much of the Genetics Australia business, including marketing the GA and TLG brands, contributing to product development in breeding and bull selections, and coordinating genomic services.
Fiona grew up on her family’s dairy farm ‘Wellcoora Holsteins’ in Western Victoria and was very involved in local shows and calf days from a young age, attending her first IDW as a nine-year-old. She quickly became a ‘go to person’ to prepare quality cattle and travelled to shows all over Australia.
Fiona prepared and led Brooklane Belt Jemima to victory in 1999 at IDW, winning Intermediate Champion, and the following year she won the RAB Youth Ambassador Award, which included an exchange trip to Canada.
In later years, Fiona assisted the manager in organising the daily running of IDW and remains an integral part of the event by taking photos, compiling results, volunteering as a Power of Women in Dairying committee member and much more.
Fiona lived and breathed her mentor Sheri Martin’s drive and passion for youth development, and headed up a committee to run four successful Western District Youth Camps, an event that continues today.
Working with three major Australian AI companies, including Genetics Australia and TLG, Fiona is also in demand for independent work. Her skill in graphic design with AI publications, sale catalogues and adverts, along with her photography, help elevate the Australian dairy industry to the world.
Fiona and husband Craig run their own innovative business and volunteer within their local community.
Jade describes Fiona as an “amazing lady” with passion, motivation and kindness. “Fiona Hanks is truly one of the great people in this industry and without doubt a very well-deserved winner of the Bette Hall Award.”
Fiona was nominated by Beck Robertson who said: “If we could all put a little bit of Fiona in our lives the world would be a better place.”
GA CEO Anthony Shelly said Fiona was an integral part of the GA team and a highly respected member of the dairy industry.
“Fiona exemplifies excellence in all that she does,” Anthony said. “She’s an absolute professional and has so much energy to make sure everything is taken care of. She’s a great part of the team and an inspiring role model for young women in the field. We feel there couldn’t be a more worthy recipient of the Bette Hall Award.”
Although initially a bit shocked and emotional, Fiona described the award as “a real honour”.
“I’m very humbled but proud to be recognised,” she said. “We do these things to be good for the industry and to keep shows like these going.”
Fiona was surrounded by family for the presentation, but the honour came as a surprise. “I had no idea; the committee did an amazing job of hiding it from me.”
She thanked her family and many mentors who helped shape her positive outlook on life, and said she hoped others could learn from some of the things she’s done.
As for her philosophy on making a mark while working in the dairy industry, Fiona has a simple message: “Take every day as it comes and get on with the job.”
Fiona is the ninth recipient of the Bette Hall award, joining previous winners Lyn Boyd, Jenny Grey, Pam Malcolm, Lisa Broad, Trish McGraw, Leanne Dobson, Mandy Pacitti and Winsome Anderson.
Formed in 2016, the Power of Women in Dairying is a network forum for women in dairy to gather, network, be inspired and learn new skills and knowledge to assist them in their every-day lives.
