The first group of inductees was announced at the Great South West Dairy Awards in 2011 and they will be formally inducted at the 2012 gala night when the organisers of the event hope to add new names to the list.

The first names to feature on the roll are Noorat farmer Niel Black, Murray Goulburn Field Services Manager Peter Haynes, former Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Managing Director John McLean, Bessiebelle farmer John Pye, and farmer and organiser of the Sungold Field Days Tony Rea.

The awards organisers are now calling for nominees for the 2012 awards.

Project manager Barbara Collins said the honour board was introduced to recognise people who have contributed to the dairy industry and their local communities, supported young people in the industry, offered leadership and followed exemplary farming practices.

"We are looking to recognise the long-term contribution of farmers, service providers and others in the industry who have made a real and positive impact on dairying," Mrs Collins said.

"In some cases they may be retired or don't fit the criteria of the raft of general awards," she added.

"Our inaugural inductees have all made outstanding contributions to the industry over a long period"

Recognition on the honour board is open to anyone in the industry. Nominations should include two letters of support from industry personnel.

All nominations will be considered and reviewed by an independent panel as part of the Great South West Dairy Awards.

The Great South West Dairy Awards also feature categories for the best employers, employees, young farm leaders, natural resource and sustainability managers and share farmers of the year. Nominations for these categories close on February 17. Nominations for the best farm photo and the honour board are open until March 23.

Mrs Collins urged people to nominate now for all of the awards and the honour board. "Last year were had a record 75 nominations over all our categories and we hope to exceed that in 2012," she said.

People can self nominate and more than one person can be added to the board each year.

The honour board will be erected at the WestVic Dairy offices at Terang.