Excellence in agriculture on show as finalists announced for first Great Southern Farmer of the Year Awards

The shortlisted finalists have been announced for the inaugural Paul Lionetti Great Southern Farmer of the Year Awards, with the winners to be crowned at a gala later this month.

The awards committee fielded an “exceptional” group of nominations for the inaugural awards, something they said was reflective of the “remarkable calibre” of people working in agriculture throughout the region.

The big award of the night, farmer of the year, celebrates a farmer who displays excellence across a range of areas including contributing to the community, top-quality produce, and caring for the land they farm.

The inaugural finalists are Karri Hill Pastoral’s David Richardson, Kevin Hard from Naracoopa Simmental Stud, and Mortlea Farming’s Wade Brown.

There are four shortlisted finalists for both young farmer of the year and female farmer of the year, with a wealth of high-quality nominations received for both awards.

The young farmer of the year award is for a farmer aged between 18 and 35 years old, and this year’s finalists include a posthumous nomination for Kojonup grain farmer James Heggaton, who was killed in a car crash earlier this year.

Narrikup farmer Georgia Pugh, Piacun Farm Produce’s Steven Piacun, and Parry Beach farmer Flynders Amess are also finalists for young farmer of the year.

Victoria Surridge from Western RB Angus, Lisa Lee Bone from the Little Hive, Aussie Tallow’s Samantha Steed, and Tambellup farmer Perin Mulcahy have been shortlisted from a strong field of nominations for female farmer of the year.

Agritourism farmer of the year celebrates farmers embracing the growing industry of agritourism on their properties, bringing their produce and the farming lifestyle to the rest of the world in a different way.

The three finalists are David Britten and Melissa Boughey from Moombaki Wines, Upland Farms’ Shelley and Tyrone Kennedy, and Neil and Lyn Handasyde from Handasyde Strawberries.

The final category is farm innovation of the year, recognising farmers who are trying something new and keeping up with the latest technological developments in agriculture.

Colin Ford from Albany Farm Fresh Eggs, 4Farmers’ Phil Patterson, and Orange Tractor Wines owners Murray Gomm and Pam Dunn have been selected as finalists, representing work across chemical manufacturing and distribution, primary food production, and viticulture.

The winners will be crowned at a gala dinner at The Dam on August 21, with finalists, agribusiness owners, industry leaders, government representatives, and members of the community invited to come together to celebrate the best of the Great Southern’s agriculture industry.

Tickets are now on sale for the gala, and organisers are encouraging the community to come along and support local farmers.

“Our farmers and agricultural businesses play an essential role in producing the food and fibre that sustain Australia while also caring for our landscapes, creating jobs and strengthening our regional communities,” an awards committee spokesperson said.

“These awards are about recognising the people behind those achievements and providing an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate their contribution.

“Whether you’re involved in agriculture or simply appreciate the importance of farming to our region, everyone is welcome to attend.”