Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council’s Saleyards Manager Mr Jeff White has been elected as President of the Australian Saleyard Managers Association (ASMA), for the third year.
ASMA represents 30 saleyards across Australia.
The position affords Mr White a position on the board of the powerful Australian Livestock Marketing Board (ALMA).
ALMA is the peak body for the saleyard industry, representing and promoting the interests of saleyard owners and operators and addresses key issues that have the potential to impact on the viability of the industry.
Created in 2010, ALMA was formed from the amalgamation of the NSW, QLD and SA Saleyard Operators Associations and currently represents the majority of the industry players from NSW, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
Mr White said he is able to bring to the table issues and business that saleyard managers experience to the peak body.
“We are progressive in what we do, promoting the importance and viability of local saleyards in many towns the weekly sale brings a direct positive impact on the local economy,” Mr White said.
As President of ASMA Mr White is keen to continue his promotion of men’s and women’s health and rural health in general.
“Saleyards are a great meeting place, a place for people to come together, to talk and share. We can complement our weekly sales with information and services promoting general and mental health issues, especially now with large areas of Eastern Australia in the depths of a severe dought,” Mr White added.
Cootamundra Saleyards recently hosted the Men’s Health Educational Rural Van (MERV), a mobile check-up and information service that travels to work places and community sites throughout the state educating and providing basic medical checks.
