Riordan Grain Services Adrian Murphy, Irwin Stockfeeds Bryan Irwin with Jim Riordan and Simone Dax.

THE Grain Industry Association of Victoria (GIAV) elected a new president in Simone Dax at the organisation’s annual general meeting held on Friday, where Riordan Grain Services managing director Jim Riordan was awarded a life membership.

GIAV has its origins in the Melbourne Corn Exchange, which was established in 1917, and Ms Dax is the first female president in the organisation’s history.

“GIAV has a long and proud history, and I’m honoured to be elected as the first female president in its 105-year history,” Ms Dax said.

“Our members are expecting another big crop, and GIAV will be doing what it can to ensure the Victorian industry is well represented at all levels to keep trade flowing to domestic and export markets.”

Ms Dax, who was elected to the GIAV committee in 2018, began her grain industry career 10 years earlier working in logistics with Riverina Australia.

She rejoined Emerald Grain last year, and is currently a commodity trader based in Melbourne.

Ridley senior grain merchant Stephen Howells was elected as GIAV vice president, a role previously held by Ms Dax, who has stepped into the president’s position previously held by Reagan Stroud.

GIAV had around 90 members attend its AGM with lunch to follow at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron.

The program included presentations from cyclist and four-time Australian Olympian Anna Meares, and from IKON Commodities on the Australian grain supply-and-demand situation.

A highlight of the day was the presentation to Jim Riordan of life membership, only its sixth in the organisation’s history.

Riordan’s domestic grain trader and GIAV past president Adrian Murphy said the accolade represented a forward and outward-looking stalwart of the industry.

“Jim has always had a big involvement through Grain Trade Australia and its predecessor NACMA, where he chaired the transport committee,” Mr Murphy said.

Mr Murphy said Mr Riordan has either taken the time to be involved with grain and transport committees himself, or encouraged and supported Riordan’s staff wishing to be involved in industry representation.

“What’s he’s done and his approach has benefited not just his business but the industry.”

“He’s worked tirelessly.”

Riordan’s has been the main driver of using mobile shiploaders in Australia to fill export vessels at sites relying on road-only grain supply.

With Riordan’s fleet of trucks and an unparalleled understanding of the up-country supply chain, Mr Riordan in 2013 undertook the feasibility study into loading bulk vessels with mobile equipment.

“An export permit was granted, and in 2017, Riordan’s loaded its first bulk shipment.”

“It’s an alternative to the current flowpath is Australia’s export program, and there’s comfortably a million tonnes of grain in Australia going over the side of ships in these years.”

“There’s not too many others in the industry who could take on that full supply chain, and inspire others to do the same.”

One of those is Arrow Commodities, which is now exporting out of Brisbane with a mobile shiploader, and has given thanks to Mr Riordan for his time in helping Arrow develop its system.

GIAV committee members Colin Peace, Bunge’s Chris Spano, Kelly Grains trader Jeremy Swincer, Rural Logic’s Michael Wood, Cargill trader Katrina Liston, Stephen Howells, Simone Dax, Adrian Murphy, GeoCommodities broker Brad Knight, and Wilken Grain pricing manager Andrew Kelso.

Max Perkins Broker partner Craig Perkins, Dartboard Commodities principal Brendan Dart and Reid Stockfeeds general manager Nick Reid.

Agri-Oz Exports managing director François Darcas and Rural Logic managing director Michael Wood.

Jim Riordan, McMullen Consulting principal Gerard McMullen and Grain Trade Australia project manager Tim Ross.

GrainCorp marketing manager Brendan Farrer and Reid Stockfeeds director Ian Reid.