Australia’s premier dairy event ADC 2026 returns to the central hub of Melbourne to bring the best of dairy thinking to Victoria’s capital. 
Victorian dairy farmer & industry leader Ella Credlin has been appointed 2026 ADC Programming Chair to lead development of the 2026 ADC Program.
Australia’s premier dairy event, the Australian Dairy Conference (ADC), returns to Melbourne with 700+ dairy farmers expected to descend on the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre 11-13 February 2026.
ADC President Rose Philipzen said the return to Melbourne in 2026 was driven by locality to Australia’s most populated dairy regions and accessibility of the world-class venue of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) as Conference host.
“ADC is a national forum for farmers by farmers, and the return to Melbourne makes sense on a number of fronts in that it is easily accessible for farmers from around the country with Victoria and adjoining states New South Wales and Tasmania with the highest density of dairy enterprises,” she said.
“MCEC is also a very impressive venue and was a driving factor with opportunity to raise the bar and deliver another exceptional event, enabling ADC to elevate to another level as a world-leading dairy forum.
“The sky is the limit for ADC 2026 with exceptional facilities at MCEC and the professionalism and excellence of ADC as we find new ways to enhance the much-loved industry event.”
“The trade space will be bigger and better, the auditorium first class and supporting infrastructure enables us to house everything ADC 2026 at the one venue,” said Rose.
ADC 2026 Programming Chair
Strengthening the Victorian links, Western Victoria dairy farmer Ella Credlin has been appointed Programming Chair for ADC 2026 Melbourne to set the agenda and drive curation of the ADC program.
“ADC is pleased to announce Victorian dairy farmer Ella Credlin to the role of 2026 ADC Programming Chair,” Rose announced.
Ella and her husband Jed launched their dairy enterprise, Boshier Farms, nearly a decade ago—despite both coming from non-farming backgrounds. What started as a 250-cow share farming operation has evolved into a thriving business milking over 2,200 cows across four farms, operated through a mix of ownership and share farming arrangements, and employing a team of 16.
“Ella brings to the Chair role a strong background in commercial agribusiness, along with a deep understanding of the current market and industry landscape through her leadership roles with Western Vic Dairy Board and the Gardiner Foundation,” Rose added.
“Ella is a great example of what is possible as a new entrant into the dairy industry and forging a successful path forward with strategic investment and planning. She has a definite finger on the pulse on current dairy issues and challenges facing both existing dairy operations and emerging aspirants,” Rose said.
“The Programming Chair role is rotated annually to provide development opportunities for leaders within the industry and a fresh perspective with each Chair bringing a unique personality to the role,’ said Rose.
As a strong advocate for the dairy sector Ella is looking forward to the ADC Programming Chair role and leading the development of issues of relevance for the industry.
“ADC is well known for the ability to drive important discussion and conversations for the Australian dairy industry, and I am really looking forward to making an imprint and help put the spotlight on issues that matter,” said Ella.
“To lead the programming for the most influential dairy agenda for the year in ADC is an honour and I aim to bring our best thinking from around the globe to the table,” she said.
“The Australian dairy industry offers so many possibilities and opportunities and we need to keep evolving and challenging ourselves to be sustainable and successful into the future. I look forward to driving conversations that enhance, challenge and progress our industry,” she said.
Program development for ADC 2026 Melbourne is currently under way with the 2026 Programming Committee meeting in June in Melbourne. Program and registration details will be released in the coming months
ADC 2026 Programming Committee:
- Ella Credlin – Chair 2026, dairy farmer, Victoria
- Mikayla Crouch – dairy farmer, Queensland
- Tahlia McSwain – dairy farmer, Western Australia
- Tom Pearce – dairy farmer, New South Wales
- Brian Cox – dairy farmer, Queensland
- Dr Jo Newton – Research Scientist, DEECA
- Rachel Jones – Media Manager, Dairy Australia
- Michael Williams – Rural Manager, Rabobank
- Ashley Rosewarne – Project Coordinator, Gardiner Foundation
- Monique Bryant – ADC Board Representative & dairy farmer, Victoria