Connect, Care & Grow 2025: Innovation and Connection in the Heart of Tasmania

On Tuesday April 29^th, participants from across Australia arrived in Launceston, Tasmania, where they were greeted by Lely staff and transported to their accommodation at the Grand Chancellor Hotel.

That evening, about 60 attendees gathered for a welcome dinner and formal opening of the event. A Lely presentation introduced the company’s vision, mission, innovations, and presence across Australia with their network of dealers (Lely Centers), with a special spotlight on Lely Center Tasmania as this year’s host.

Wednesday, April 30^th, marked a full day of on-farm experiences, giving attendees an up-close look at robotic farming in action.

 

The day began at the Padman Family Farm, where about 160 guests rotated through three insightful stations:

• A farmer story by Rodney Padman.
• A session about: “If you had robots… what could you be doing right now?” with Shawn Hollingworth and Daniel McGrath, where 3 robotic milking customers shared their story with the audience.
• An overview of Lely Horizon & Farm Management Support from Jake Connor.

This morning session was supported by excellent coffee and bites provided by Bloom Coffee and Demi Stagg.

Next, the group travelled to the Duindam Family Farm, where the family shared their journey of installing second-hand Lely robots into a new set-up.

The afternoon concluded at the Elton Vale Farm (Barwick Family), featuring:

• A farmer story from Shannon Barwick and Will Baldwin.
• Technical Service Support presented by Marc Jones and Travis Nightingale.
• A session on grazing and robotic milking led by Jake Connor.

Lunch and afternoon tea at the Barwick farm were generously arranged by the Deloraine Lions Club, adding a strong local touch to the experience.

Evening Program: Connection in the Heart of Launceston

The 2025 Connect, Care and Grow event was closed at the Sports Garden Hotel for an informal dinner and drinks. The relaxed setting allowed for open conversations, idea sharing, and connections between farmers, Lely team members, and rural professionals. With engaging discussions and a vibrant atmosphere, the evening embodied the core values of Connect, Care & Grow.

On Thursday, May 1, guests had the opportunity to visit Agfest 2025, Tasmania’s largest agricultural exhibition. There, they had the opportunity to explore the event at their own pace and visit the Lely and Lely Center Tasmania stand, where robotic solutions were once again front and center.

 

Looking Ahead
The Connect, Care & Grow 2025 event was an event of innovation, collaboration, and making connections for the future. We would like to thank all our hosts, speakers, partners, rural professionals, farm attendees and especially the farmers who opened their gates and shared their stories in making this a successful event!