The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association today awarded life membership to two legends of Tasmanian agriculture, Gwendolyn Adams and Allan Cameron.
Gwendolyn Adams is seen as a role model not only for women, but especially for women, who choose to take a leadership role in the industry as well as on their land. She runs Leighlands, a property that most Tasmanians would recognise as the farm on the Midland Highway virtually opposite the airport-turnoff south of Perth.
Gwedolyn did not plan to become a farmer. She spent 15 years as a secretary in Launceston before she took over running Leighlands. She focused on whole farm planning and converting the business from vealers and Polwarth sheep to merinos. Today Leighlands is a thriving property that runs 2000 merino ewes that produce fleeces between 13 and18 microns.
As well as an active member of the TFGA and its committees, Gwendolyn was a founding member of Tasmanian Women in Agriculture. She was awarded an Order of Australia in 2006 for her services to agriculture, notably her support of women on the land and her promotion of improved farming practices.
Allan Cameron has been a long time champion of Tasmanian agriculture through its various membership organisations over the years. He is one of our leading producers of superfine wool.
He served for many years on the TFGA Wool Council, becoming chairman at a difficult time in the wool industry. He served on the Wool Council of Australia as a councillor and as a member of the executive at a time when the crisis with the wool stockpile developed.
His dedication to rural training and education saw him also awarded membership of the Order of Australia.
Jan Davis http://www.tfga.com.au/
