WHEN Lindsay Jarvis joined the North Eastern Dairy Co-operative in 1977, he believed he could make a difference.

Lindsay, who retired last week, devoted 31 years as a dairy co-operative board member, 23 of which have been with Murray Goulburn, after the two co-operatives merged in 1985.

And there would be a long line of Murray Goulburn suppliers who would tell you the Kergunyah dairy farmer has made a difference.

However, the co-operative stalwart is far more modest.

"I have been stumped a couple of times when people said it's great what you have done, when it has really been what we have done," Lindsay said.

Lindsay and wife, Ann, milk about 250 cows and have employed a sharefarmer for 12 years.

Lindsay said the incentive to join NEDCO came after a trip to New Zealand, where he visited various co-operatives.

"I was amazed how much the directors knew about co-operatives and the industry and I wanted that," he said.

Lindsay soon began attending every farmer meeting, discussion group and field day in his region, which saw him travel to 200 meetings a year.

"I think the secret to it all was communicating with farmers," he said.

"My philosophy is farmers deserve to know how the business is performing and what is being done with their money."

MG chairman Ian MacAulay said Lindsay's contribution to the dairy industry and Murray Goulburn had been outstanding.

"He has a creative mind and a particularly positive approach to the industry," he said.

But Lindsay said he couldn't have devoted as many years without his family's support.

"My wife has been my backbone," he said. "It has given me the opportunity to put in the time off the farm."

Lindsay said a highlight during his time as a director was the strengthening of Murray Goulburn's balance sheet.

"When I started with Murray Goulburn we had $2 million in reserves and now we have $445 million," he said.

"When I joined NEDCO, two-thirds of its shares were held by non-dairy farmers, but by the time we merged with Murray Goulburn the majority of shares were owned by active farmers.

"And it was the same situation with Murray Goulburn.

"Our farmers can really hold their heads high and say it is their co-op now."

Kiewa Valley dairy farmer Ken Jones, a former Murray Goulburn milk supply and field services manager, has replaced Lindsay on the MG board.

Graham Munzel, who milks about 240 cows at Gunbower, in northern Victoria, replaces Warren Miles, who retired.