ASK BEDE Burke what came first, the chicken or the egg?
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You'll get an answer that will make you laugh.
The Tamworth egg production farmer and former NSW Nationals chair with a tenure of five years has been awarded a highly-esteemed AM in the Order of Australia for his involvement in the community.
Leadership has always found Mr Burke, it's never been a position he claimed but always one his peers elected him to do.
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"It's all about bringing the team along with you, it's as simple as that," he said.
"Typically in a political party you will always have conflict because of the nature of the organisation, but here the media never knew much of the conflict we had at the time because it was managed within.
"You want politicians to be seen, but to have that structure underneath working so well that they can do their job."
Mr Burke was constitutionally required to resign from his position in the NSW Nationals after five years in 2019, after the party won the state and unexpectedly, the federal election.
He is a member of the West Tamworth Rotary Club, a life member and director of the Tamworth City Swimming Club, the St Patrick's Catholic Church finance committee chair and a board member at the Tamworth Aero Club.
The father-of-six has also found himself at the helm of Egg Farmers Australia and Australian Eggs and has been a member of the NSW Farmers Association since 1998.
His biggest challenges are to advocate for consumer choice and better returns for farmers to continue to invest in an economy that requires 600,000 more chooks each year to meet demand.
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His own parents were farmers in the Tamworth area in the early 60's, but the size of the farm wasn't big enough to generate enough wheat and sheep to support the family.
So, they turned to intensive farming and it has grown from here, Mr Burke said.
"I have an appetite and love for it which helps because it's tough working seven days a week," he said.
"You are constantly required to reinvest in your industry and ensure that you keep up with leading technologies, be more efficient with energy, labour and feed and if you do that you're hopefully rewarded for it.
"And, you can't do it without a strong family behind you, I'm very humbled."
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
