Tasmanians steal the show at Farmer of the Year Awards

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Senator Richard Colbeck, congratulated Tasmanian farmers who received awards at the 2015 Farmer of the Year Awards, announced at an annual awards dinner in Sydney last night.

“Tasmania was very well represented at the awards night, with local farmers winning four of the nine categories. This is an excellent example of the passionate, innovative and driven people we have in our agriculture industry,” Senator Colbeck said.

Fifth generation Dunalley farmer, Matt Dunbabin, took out the overall award, winning the 2015 Farmer of the Year as well as the Diversification Farmer of the Year. Mr Dunbabin and his wife Vanessa produce wine, wool, beef, sheep and oysters on their 6,000 hectare farm in Tasmania’s southeast.

Northern Tasmanian honey producer, Lindsay Bourke, was named the Plant Biosecurity Farmer of the Year, an excellent result after also being a finalist in the competition last year.

Brian and Michele Lawrence from Meander won the category for Dairy Farmer of the Year; they won the award for their commitment to environmental management and contribution their dairy farm is making to their community.

“I congratulate Mr Dunbabin, Mr Bourke and Mr and Mrs Lawrence on winning the awards and for their passion and commitment to Tasmanian agriculture,” Senator Colbeck said.

“They are excellent examples of the many passionate, innovative and motivated people here in Tasmania and are very deserving winners.”

“Awards like this are a great way to recognise the contribution of people from rural and regional areas around Australia and it’s fantastic to see Tasmanians well represented in this year’s Farmer of the Year,” Senator Colbeck said.

The Australian Farmer of the Year Awards are sponsored by Kondinin Group and ABC Rural and recognise farmers and farming families for their innovation, professional management and sustainable farming businesses, while raising the profile of the important role they play in Australian agriculture.

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Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Senator Richard Colbeck