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Potatoes Australia August/September 2016
while witnessing the devastating
impact of drought on the
farming community.
After so many years of
industry involvement, it was
difficult for Wayne to pinpoint
his proudest achievement.
However, his work in talking
to growers and encouraging
the uptake of a national levy
system for the vegetable and
potato industries was certainly
one to note.
“I’m proud to say I was a
part of that because both the
industries have moved forward
significantly with the financial
capacity that the levy was able
to provide,” he says.
“The research that has
contributed to the industry’s
financial stability and
environmental sustainability
is around us all the time,
and the industry has
changed significantly
because of it. The levy has
been an instrumental factor
in achieving cohesion
and a collective approach in
the industry.”
Wayne is also a firm advocate
for education and training.
It was one of the areas he
focused on during his time with
the South Australian Farmers
Federation and has been
heavily involved in ever since.
“Skills and training are
absolutely vital in this industry
and it’s something a lot of
farmers and growers don’t
appreciate well enough. If we
want young people to come
into our industry, we have to
give them opportunity and we
have to give them career
pathways. Education and
training is a no-brainer, as far
as I’m concerned.”
Wayne was quick to answer
when asked for his thoughts on
the future of both the Australian
potato industry and the wider
horticulture industry.
“The future for these collective
industries is very, very bright.
Australia has to make sure
that it keeps its research and
development alive and make
sure that we can, from an
environmental and from an
economic point of view,
remain sustainable,” he says.
“There are a lot of great
people across the farming
sector, and I’ve been
privileged to meet so many.
They are the people who
will guide these industries
into the future.
“If you’re choosing to lead,
look over your shoulder every
now and again to see that
somebody’s following because
if they’re not, all you’re doing
is going for a walk.”
As for Wayne, he is quite
content with being able to
farm efficiently and profitably
in Kenton Valley, and there is
no doubt that he still has
more to offer the Australian
horticulture industry.
“I don’t think I could ever retire;
I think I’d hate it. Farming is
something that I was born into
and something that will be
there forever. There are always
lots of jobs here that suit my
capabilities and I enjoy doing
them,” Wayne says.
“As a family team, we all enjoy
it. I hope my sons continue to
make this business prosper
and perhaps more importantly
than that, my grandsons come
through and carry the property
on for another few generations.
“The people in the industry
are also very important and
while my network of people
perhaps has diminished a
little over the last few years,
the friends I’ve made are very
significant – all of those things
contribute to what I think is
a very fascinating and
enjoyable industry.”
Photography by Andrew Beveridge.