Dairy Australia this week announced Aussie rules superstar and 3 x premiership winner Jonathan Brown as the industry's new ambassador.
Jonathon's new role is a far cry from his days dominating the footy field, as Brisbane Lions captain and 3x AFL premiership winner.
Hailing from a multi-generational dairy farming family, Jonathan, or 'Browny' as he's more commonly known, brings a passionate connection to the dairy industry with his uncle maintaining a dairy farm in the Victorian town of Warrnambool, a tradition started by his grandfather.
Growing up in Warrnambool, a small coastal town almost 200km west of Geelong, Jonathan recounts fond memories of putting on his gumboots and helping his uncle in the dairy which he says plays a crucial role in regional and rural communities.
We recognise the importance of promoting dairy and the role it plays in building strong regional communities - particularly in these challenging times. With a multi-generational dairy farming background, we're pleased to introduce @JBrown as the dairy industry's new ambassador pic.twitter.com/CW2sy2ujac
— Dairy Australia (@Dairy_Australia) April 23, 2020
"My Pa was a dairy farmer, that's my connection, and now my uncle continues on that tradition, milks the cows and still has the old herringbone dairy," Jonathon said.
"As a young fella, getting down to the dairy and helping out and putting the gumboots on and going to work in the morning, it was certainly a great upbringing.
"In the regional areas of Australia, the dairy industry is critical. It's probably the most vibrant industry in those communities, there's so many dairy farms.
"Apart from footy clubs, I think the dairy industry is the other centrepiece of all these regional towns."
Regarded as one of the greatest AFL players in the game's history with an extensive list of career highlights, Jonathan regards high protein dairy foods as playing an important role in his preparation and recovery as a professional athlete.
Now as a father of three, he has also learnt the importance of key nutrients such as calcium in dairy as part of a healthy diet for growing kids.
"I have three healthy kids but part of the reason they're healthy is because they drink plenty of milk, whether it be on the Weetabix or the cereal in the morning, their yoghurt, they've got healthy bones," Jonathon said.
"They're always having plenty of accidents, but they spring back up and no doubt dairy plays a big part in that.
"Dairy has played such an integral role in so many parts of my life so I'm so excited to be working with the dairy industry to ensure more Aussies understand why dairy matters for health and to our local communities."
You'll be seeing more 'Browny' in upcoming dairy promotions so stay tuned!
