2017 Winners
2017 Australian Farmer of the Year: Andrew Bulmer
ANDREW is Managing Director of the family-run Bulmer Farms in Lindenow, Victoria, and co-owns a retail outlet for local produce. Bulmer Farms is credited as one of Australia’s largest producers of fresh salads.
2017 Young Farmer of the Year: Jason Smith
JASON Smith’s dedication and successful, innovative approach to farming has secured him the title of 2017 Kondinin Group and ABC Rural Young Farmer of the Year sponsored by Case IH.
2017 Farming Legend of the Year: John Bennett
TO MANY in the Tasmanian dairy industry, John Bennett’s name is synonymous with leadership, courage and change.
2017 Rural Community Leader of the Year Award: Kristy Sparrow
THE FIGHT for farmers’ rights to better internet access sees Kristy Sparrow, co-founder of Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia (BIRRR), win the Kondinin Group and ABC Rural 2017 Rural Community Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by Market Check.
2017 Rural Consultant of the Year: Greg Mills
TACKLING the big ag issues is no small feat for Greg Mills, who is the Kondinin Group and ABC Rural 2017 Rural Consultant of the Year sponsored by BASF.
2017 Award for Excellence in Innovation: Rob Cook
ROB COOK is a fourth-generation cattleman who, during 2008, was involved in a life shattering helicopter accident which left him a C4 quadriplegic.
2017 Award for Excellence in Technology: Lachlan Seears
LACHLAN Seears’ multifaceted adoption of technology across his farm business has earned him the Kondinin Group 2017 Award for Excellence in Technology.
2017 Award for Excellence in Diversification: James Walker
JAMES WALKER is a fifth-generation farmer from Longreach, Queensland, who’s decision to “keep busy” during a period of extraordinary drought has won him the Kondinin Group 2017 Award for Excellence in Diversification.