Richard Anderson’s commitment to the dairy industry started when he was just three years old and has spanned many decades.
Photo by
Sophie Baldwin
An unwavering commitment to the dairy industry was recently recognised when Richard Anderson received a distinguished service award from Holstein Australia.
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Richard has been many things within the industry – a farmer, a classifier, a mentor and a leader known for generously sharing his knowledge, inspiring breeders and advocating for the Holstein breed and the dairy industry as a whole.
From the moment he put cups on his first ever cow at just three years old, Richard knew he was going to be a dairy farmer.
He was holidaying with his German grandmother at the time who lived next door to a working dairy farm.
“I can still smell the kerosene fumes from the motor in the old walk-through dairy,” Richard laughed.
Holstein Australia distinguished service award winner for 2025 - Richard Anderson (left) and Geoff Harrower who was featured in the last edition of Dairy News.
Photo by
Sophie Baldwin
“I definitely get my love of cows from her, she also had half a dozen cows of her own which she used to make butter.
Richard never let the fact he grew up in Melbourne with non dairy farming parents deter him from chasing his dairy dream.
Richard Anderson’s special distinguished service award.
Photo by
Sophie Baldwin
He was about seven when he got his first calf which he kept in a paddock at Box Hill.
At 17, he leased his first farm at Templestowe which came with a 30-gallon milk contract and 25 Friesian cows.
Working alongside local vet Hugh Worth, who would go on to be well known in racing circles, Richard was introduced to John Cox (of Cox plate fame) and ended up sharefarming for him for eight years.
In the mid-1970s he applied for a settlement farm at Rochester, and by June 1976, his ownership dream had begun - on 60 hectares with a four per cent interest rate government loan.
He also established Glynyari Holsteins around this time.
“We were allowed to milk 60 cows in the first year. We had a water right, four fenced paddocks, a dairy, house and hay shed and we had to supply the cows, machinery and infrastructure for the dairy.”
Over the years Richard focused on breeding quality cattle which include the well-known Bubbles, Kassie and Irene families.
He is proud these cow families have endured the decades and still remain firmly entrenched in Australian herds today.
Richard was pivotal in the establishment of the North West Sub Branch, was a founding member and served in many roles over the years including president, vice-president and Victorian branch delegate.
He was always advocating for the interests of local breeders and the Holstein breed.
Within the sub branch he regularly held on-farm youth days where he patiently passed on the fundamentals of animal preparation, handling and general farming knowledge.
“You can always learn from other people, particularly those that are older than you and passing on your knowledge to the next generation is so valuable.”
In 1997, Richard’s breeding excellence was awarded when he was recognised as the first North West Sub Branch Master Breeder.
In 2000, Richard held the Glynyari Holstein dispersal sale.
Following a retirement from active dairy farming, he began working as a classifier for Holstein Australia which led to the position of classifier trainer.
He also served on the Holstein Australia National Judging Panel where he was known for his fairness, integrity and a discerning eye for breed quality.
Richard was responsible for the introduction of whites into the show ring — a lasting initiative that has elevated the professionalism of Australian showing.
He was also well-known as one of the top cattle fitters of his era with a meticulous skill and craftsmanship which set high standards for preparation and presentation, including working alongside Charlie Shearer at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
“When I was classifying I did a lot of travelling and I saw a lot of great cows across all breeds, not just Holsteins,” Richard said.
Reflecting on all his years involved in the dairy industry, Richard said perhaps the most pivotal moment was being one of only 52 successful soldier settlement applicants when 1500 people applied.
He also said presenting cows in the ring and breeding good cows and bulls for AI were also a highlight.
He said he was surprised to receive the distinguished services award and had no idea it was coming.
“I am very appreciative to have received this award and to have had an opportunity to pass on so much of the knowledge I have gathered over the years.”
These days Richard is still involved in the dairy industry — daughter April lives across the road where she milks around 100 Holstein and Guernsey cows, including some descendants from the Bubble, Kassie and Irene families.
“People used to say I had a great eye for cattle, but I have to say April has even better one.”
Richard does the irrigating, growing the feed and helps out looking after granddaughter Hazel.
“I don’t ever want to move into town and I don’t want to go into a home, I just want to stay out here on the farm for the rest of my life.”
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