The South Australian dairy industry came together in style on Friday 7 August, with more than 300 guests gathering at Adelaide Oval to celebrate the people, products and businesses behind the industry.
This year’s SA Dairy Awards carried the fitting theme ‘Golden Gala’, marking 20 years of collaboration between the DIAA SA Committee and the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA (RA&HS).
Guests took a trip down memory lane with a photo montage capturing highlights from the past two decades and showing just how much the competition has grown over that time.
The collaborative nature of the competition makes it unique, opening entries to dairy processors from across Australia. This year, 356 products were entered, with South Australian processors securing an impressive 80 gold medals. Of these, 16 received top gold honours as the best product in their class.
Celebrating the best in dairy
Bega Dairy & Drinks enjoyed a particularly successful night, winning Most Outstanding Bovine Dairy Exhibit for Dairy Farmers Classic Chocolate Milk. The team was also named Most Successful Exhibitor and capped off the evening by taking home the Judges’ Choice award for Dare Double Espresso.
Barossa Valley Cheese Company was another standout, with its Luma named Champion SA Manufactured Cheese.
The evening also celebrated the South Australian dairy farmers whose work underpins the industry. SADA recognised Wes Hurrell of Rockwella Farm Holsteins as Most Innovative Dairy Farmer, Grant and Deb Jolley of Jolley Farms for Best Relationship with a Processor, James Hurrell with the Young Farmer Award, and James Mann with the Foodland Sustainability Award.
A lifetime of service recognised
One of the evening’s most special moments came with the presentation of the Brenton Higgins Award for Exceptional Service to the Industry to Peter Whitford.
With more than 80 years of involvement in the dairy industry, Peter’s contribution is remarkable. Now in his early 90s, he remains a familiar presence on the family farm, carting hay, helping with livestock and lending a hand wherever he can.
It was a fitting way to round out an evening that celebrated not only outstanding dairy products, but also the people, skills and commitment that continue to drive South Australia’s dairy industry.
Click here to see the full catalogue of product results.
Some of the winners at the 2026 Dairy Awards.