Dairy expert appointed as AIFST President

An acclaimed dairy expert has been announced as the new president of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST). Dr Anne Astin was inducted on 14 July at the 46th AIFST Convention, following two years as AIFST president elect.

Dr Astin is the former CEO of Dairy Food Safety Victoria, a leading government dairy authority and a champion of leadership opportunities for women. She has more than 20 years’ experience at senior executive and board level.

A trained biochemist, Dr Astin has previously held directorships at Dairy Australia and the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and she was chair of the Victorian Minister’s Women in Primary Industries Advisory Panel.

Dr Astin’s work has attracted significant accolades, including the Public Service Medal (PSM) of the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the dairy industry, national food regulation and rural women. She was inducted into the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll for her work in biochemistry and as an advocate of women’s leadership. She was also the first woman to receive the Australian Dairy Industry Council’s Outstanding Service Award.

“I look forward to continuing to positing AIFST as a world leader in food science and technology, providing members with services and support that benefit them and building a sustainable and vibrant 21st-century organisation,” Dr Astin said.