Australian Farm Safety Contribution

John Dawson has made a quiet, but an immensely important, contribution to farm safety over the past 5 years in his representation of Farmsafe Australia, and of farmers and workers at the inquest into 8 deaths associated with 4-wheeled motorcycles undertaken by the Coroner of Victoria.   

The work of John Dawson, supported by his wife Judith, has been well recognised previously.  He was a founding member and former Chairman of the Farmsafe Australia Management Board and of Farmsafe Victoria, and he is tireless in pursuing improvement in the safety of all of those engaged in agriculture across his state of Victoria and across Australia. In 2004 his contribution was formally recognised by him being awarded the national honour of becoming a Member of the Order of Australia “For service to health and safety in agricultural communities, particularly through Farmsafe Australia and the development of a range of programs aimed at improving farm safety practices.”

 John had officially “retired” from active leadership of the Farmsafe movement. However, when the Victorian Coroner made the decision to combine the inquests of 8 persons who had died while riding quad-bikes, in light of the growing number of such cases coming before him, John offered his services as legal counsel to represent Farmsafe Australia throughout the proceedings. The aim was to ensure that the Coroner was informed about the work being done by Farmsafe Australia, as well as to help to ensure that the outcome of the inquests would bring benefits in protecting the safety and wellbeing of those involved in agricultural production and farm life in Australia. Little did John know how protracted or convoluted the proceedings would become. However, despite the distance of John and Judith’s’ farm residence from Melbourne, John was present throughout all sittings and represented Farmsafe faithfully, patiently and carefully, with no thought of remuneration.

This is truly an outstanding Contribution to Farm Safety in Australia.

This is the first national Farm Saety Conference that John has not attended in the 21 years since Farmsafe ’88 in Armidale, NSW.  His son Vernon will receive this award on John’s behalf.   We know that Vernon will extend our thanks and our best wishes to John and to Judith.

Farmsafe Farmer of the Year 2009

Wongan - Warakirri Agricultural Trusts

Michael Neville, the Manager of Wongan, Stoneleigh, Victoria was recognised as the CGU Farmsafe Farmer of the Year 2009 for their efforts in practicing and promoting farm health and safety.

The Award was accepted by Michael Neville, who manages the 3,100 ha property for Warrakirri Agricultural Trusts.  Wongan crops about 2,800 ha, and employs two full-time permanent staff, casuals as required and approximately 12 contractors for peak seasonal work times.

Warakirri Agricultural Trusts’ application reflected their health and safety practice in their policies that outline the framework and procedures for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of persons within the Group and visitors to their properties.

“Their focus on eliminating the risks to the health, safety and welfare of persons at work using a peer driven health and safety committee, regularly reviewing farm hazards and risk, conducting an annual peer audits of all operations, and proactive reporting of health and safety to the Warakirri Board was reflected in their application,” said John Temperley, Executive Officer, Farmsafe Australia.

Michael Blakeney, Managing Director, Warakirri Agricultural Trusts was delighted to receive the award.

“Our mission statement confirms we will operate in a safe, sustainable manner for a rewarding investment.  In line with this, we believe work related injury or ill-health is unacceptable and Warakirri is committed to the identification and elimination of hazards on our farms.  This has directly improved our operational returns and therefore has been a positive investment in our people and our business,” he said.

“Being recognised by Farmsafe Australia is a great encouragement to all of us at Warakirri.  It is a positive reflection on the efforts of all involved, both past and present.  We as an industry need to continue to improve the level of safety in agriculture.”