
NSW Waratahs blindside flanker Will Miller marked World Milk Day this year by becoming a full cream ambassador for advocacy group Dairy Connect.
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The 25-year-old rising star is from a seventh-generation farming family which has lived and farmed at beautiful Berry on the South Coast since 1915. The Miller family previously farmed at Gerringong since 1832.
Dairy Connect CEO Shaughn Morgan welcomed the appointment saying Miller was a living embodiment of the everyday health benefits of dairy products.
“Will’s a great example of the value of commitment and character and we have no doubt his belief, passion and drive in dairy will be a standout of his time as Dairy Connect dairy ambassador,” Shaughn said.
Miller says dairying is well and truly in his veins and will be his go-to career after his professional rugby days are over.
His commitment to the family farm and to dairy is an inspiration.
They own properties either side of Berry and milk around 200 cows twice a day in a 20-year-old dairy built by his grandpa, great uncle and father.
As a child, Will recalls playing his part in the daily routine of farm life, helping get the cows in and feeding out. Even up until taking up a professional contract with the Waratahs he was still working on the farm and milking his beloved cows.
He is also a shareholder of Berry-Co-op which proudly produces the South Coast Dairy range of dairy products.
Along with dairy farming, rugby is also a family tradition.
“Dad [John] used to play when I was a kid and my dad’s Uncle Gus also played for NSW between 1946 to 1948,” Miller said.
“When I was about five, I was signed up to make up numbers in a new under nines team.
“I went on to play for the Scots College firsts and from there I went on to play first grade for the Northern Suburbs.”
Will Miller has this year extended his time with the Waratahs until the end of the 2019 season.
Importantly, Will is an example of the future generation of dairy farmer.
He, and others like him, will ensure that communities throughout Australia will continue to buy nutritious milk and dairy produce from their local supermarket and corner shop daily.
Such is his commitment, over a period of two years, while working on the farm at Berry, Will motored back and forth to Sydney to fulfil his rugby commitments.
Dairy has also played a critical role in Will’s lifelong fitness regime.
“Dairy contains nutrients you can’t get from other natural sources and it has helped me get where I am now in terms of fitness,” he said.
“When I was invited to become an ambassador for Dairy Connect, I saw it as an opportunity to give back and help inform others of what we do ‘day in and day out’ within our dairy community.
“I’ve always wanted to give back to the industry that’s played such an important role in our family history.”
The Miller’s family of six includes mum and dad John and Jennifer, older sister Caroline and youngsters George and Madelaine.