Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has applauded the “hard work and dedication to the sector and community” of Armidale’s Greg Mills, the 2017 Rural Consultant of the Year.
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Mr Mills, of GoAhead Business Solutions, received the title at the ABC Rural Australian Farmer of the Year awards ceremony at Parliament House on Wednesday.
Mr Joyce said the eight category winners were innovative farmers and allied professionals helping to secure a profitable, sustainable future for agriculture and regional communities.
“That’s not only good for the farm and the immediate community – it’s good for the nation’s economic bottom line,” Mr Joyce said.
“It’s the thousands of family-run farms that make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy and they deserve the recognition awards like this provide.
“I congratulate all winners for their dedication to the sector and for the example they set, and congratulate Kondinin Group and ABC Rural for their continued support of these awards.”
NEW TECHNOLOGY
Mr Joyce also highlighted the achievements of some of the other winners, including one who’s achieved a 400 per cent increase in business, and another whose quadriplegia prompted him to develop new technology to keep farming.
Andrew Bulmer, 37, took out the 2017 Kondinin Group and ABC Rural Australian Farmer of the Year award for his business prowess and innovative approach to farming.
“[He] is the king of fresh salads, managing a family-run farm at Lindenow in Victoria, and has overseen a 400 per cent increase in his farm’s washed salad business in just 18 months,” Mr Joyce said.
“Like so many farmers, Andrew has been looking for new technologies and thinking outside the box to improve his business.”
Mr Joyce also congratulated 36-year-old Rob Cook, a fourth-generation cattleman from Bucca, Queensland.
After a helicopter accident, Mr Cook developed some new technology that enabled him to remain on the land.
“Rob, who is a quadriplegic, dug deep and created a world-first electric hydraulic joystick control, enabling him to operate the block gate and all five way drafts in his cattle yards,” Mr Joyce said.
“This is an ingenious example of innovation and has allowed Rob to stay on the land, farming 700-head of black brangus cattle over three properties.”
THE WINNERS
Australian Farmer of the Year award winners for 2017:
- Australian Farmer of the Year: Andrew Bulmer, Victoria
- Young Farmer of the Year: Jason Smith, Victoria
- Farming Legend of the Year: John Bennett, Tasmania
- Rural Community Leader of the Year Award: Kristy Sparrow, Queensland
- Rural Consultant of the Year: Greg Mills, New South Wales
- Excellence in Innovation: Rob Cook, Queensland
- Excellence in Technology: Lachlan Seears, South Australia
- Excellence in Diversification: James Walker, Queensland