The Hall of Fame
Celebrate those whose passion and hard work have helped shape and strengthen our industry for future generations. From advocacy and industry leadership to community involvement and on-farm excellence, we know there are many deserving people whose contributions should be recognised and remembered.
We are now inviting nominations from across the industry. If you know someone who has made a lasting impact on the South Australian dairy community, we encourage you to submit a nomination and help us acknowledge their contribution as part of this significant milestone celebration.
Their contribution to the dairy community is sincerely appreciated and proudly recognised as part of SADA’s 90-year legacy.
For nomination details or to submit a nomination, please contact the SADA office.
General Secretaries and CEOs, 1935–Present
John Reid Hewland (1935–1936)
Foundational secretary associated with the organised metropolitan dairying movement that preceded SADA. His brief tenure helped convert industry frustration into institutional structure during a period of debate around milk regulation, pricing and representation. Hewland represents the establishment phase of the Association.
Col. Alexander Harold Nelson (1937–1958)
SADA’s first long-serving builder. Nelson brought formal discipline and public standing to a young organisation. His tenure spanned the late Depression, World War II and post-war reconstruction. He helped embed the Association into South Australian agricultural policy and consolidate its authority.
David Higbed (1959–1988)
One of the defining administrative figures in SADA history. Higbed carried the Association through nearly three decades of change including modernisation, equalisation debates, farm consolidation and growing policy complexity. He was the institutional memory of SADA through the 1960s–1980s.
Terry Inglis (1989–1991; 1994–1995)
A transition-era leader who appears to have come from within industry networks. Inglis helped guide SADA after the long Higbed period and returned when continuity was needed. His tenure reflects the shift from traditional secretariat functions to a more modern executive model.
Adrian Scott (1992–1993)
Served during a short but important transitional phase. Scott’s period coincided with national restructuring, deregulation debates and changing expectations of producer organisations. He represents SADA’s adjustment to a more contemporary executive and advocacy environment.
Chris Luz-Raymond (1995–2000)
Led during the late-1990s lead-up to dairy deregulation. Coming from a professional policy or communications background, he helped position South Australian dairy farmers within national reform debates and prepared SADA for a more competitive market era.
Ken Lyons (2000–2016)
A major modern-era CEO. Lyons guided SADA through the post-deregulation environment, advocating on pricing, processor relationships, water, biosecurity and membership value. His tenure also saw the emergence of SADA Fresh as a public-facing industry initiative.
Andrew Curtis (2016–Present)
CEO of the contemporary advocacy era. Curtis brought a background in public policy and government relations. His tenure has focused on drought, water security, workforce, sustainability, virtual fencing, regional resilience and maintaining industry relevance while supporting growth.
Across nine decades, the title changed from General Secretary to Chief Executive Officer, but the essential task remained constant: to provide South Australian dairy farmers with an organised, credible and effective voice.