Rebecca O'Brien

Eastern Bay of Plenty DWN Regional Leader Rebecca O’Brien has been instrumental in creating a sense of inclusivity among its members, community clubs, supporting businesses, and the DWN team.

In addition to 50/50 sharemilking a busy 900-herd on two dairy farms in Galatea, she mentors staff who are training with PrimaryITO, volunteers in her local community, and is involved in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards. Rebecca and her husband Scott won the Share Farmers of the Year award at the 2022 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards and the same year received the DairyNZ People and Culture Award at the National Level.

Her constant presence in the community, word-of-mouth marketing and her ability to network has attributed to an increase in participants at DWN events in the Bay of Plenty.

The judges were inspired by Rebecca’s story – from her early beginnings in tourism, a brush with cancer, move into sharemilking and devotion to Dairy Women’s Network and the wider community including improving the lives of those with special needs. She embodies DWN’s value of seizing opportunities.  

– Judges Panel