Dairy achievers honoured

The award recognises exceptional service to the dairy industry and is judged by a panel consisting of member of the dairy products committee.

Mr Marshall spent about 40 years working for the South Australian Department of Agriculture – now PIRSA – with the milk products section of the department.

He became the sole representative in the section before his retirement in 1994.

Mr Marshall was a long-time state secretary for the Dairy Industry Association of Australia and served a stint as president of the association.

Among his many achievements, Mr Marshall wrote the national cheesemakers course, and along with the late Gordon Pickhaver also wrote People Places and Cheese: A History of the South Australian Cheese Industry.

In receiving the award, Mr Marshall said he was very lucky to have had so much involvement in the dairy industry and so many different aspects of it.

"It's just a fascinating industry to work for and it's been my good luck rather than good management that I'm here now," he said.

"I must express my thanks to my good wife Jill for her support over nearly 50 years."

Another highlight of the night was the presentation of an award to OB Flat dairyfarmer Graeme Hamilton, recognised for his service to the industry in the South East in regard to water allocation plans.

In the dairy product awards, Hindmarsh Valley Dairy performed extremely well with its Cumulus product which was champion cheese from a small-scale producer and champion SA-manufactured cheese.

Bracegirdles House of Fine Chocolate excelled once again, winning champion chocolate and the most successful chocolate exhibitor trophy for the fourth year in a row.

Hahndorf's Chocolate @ No. 5 won the award for best product from an emerging chocolate manufacturer for its Tropical Meringue product.