The 2025 Australia Day Awards Honours list announced this morning has recognised the contribution of several Australians to agriculture and rural communities.
Recipients include:
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division
Former Australian Pork Producers Federation president and NSW Livestock and Grain Producers Association and NSW Famers Association council member Geoffrey Robert Baker, Cowra NSW, for significant service to primary industry, and to the community.
Sober in the Country charity founder and CEO Shanna Whan for significant service to community health.
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division
Norman Octavius Alexander, Wagga Wagga, NSW, who has served numerous industry organisations including NSW Farmers Association, United Farmers and Woolgrowers, Grain Growers Association and rural financial counselling and grain research committees for service to agriculture, and to the community of Wagga Wagga.
Founder and director of Blackmore Wagyu, David John Blackmore (right), Alexandra VIC, for service to the beef cattle industry.
Agricultural consultant David John Botting, Millicent SA, for service to agriculture, and to the community of Millicent.
Long-serving CEO of Droughtmaster Australia and former Primac livestock agent and buyer, the late Neil Donaldson, for service to the livestock industry.
University of Western Australia Adjunct Professor and former Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Research Director of the National CRC Future Farm Industries Dr Michael Anthony Ewing, Cottesloe WA, for service to conservation and the environment, and to primary industry.
Western Australian Noodle-Wheat Growers Association co-founder and inaugural president John Patrick Hawkins, Merredin WA, for service to the community of Western Australia, and to primary industry.
Drought Angels charity founder and executive director Natasha Leila Johnston, Miles QLD, for service to the community through drought relief.
Long serving Northern Territory DPI buffalo and cattle research officer Barry Graham Lemcke, Herbert NT, for service to the livestock industry.
Huon Agricultural Society patron and long-serving member Marion Woodward, Howrah TAS, for service to the community, and to agriculture.
For the full list of recipients visit the Governor General’s website here
Well done to the recipients of these awards,sadly I can’t help feeling the process is floored when I nominated the late Graeme Acton several years before he lost his life in a tragic horse accident!
This nomination was declined!
In my 70 years I have never seen a man do more for the beef industry and horse industry than him!
He also supported numerous charities like the RFD service and riding for disabled.
Dr Ross Cutler AM, veterinarian and huge contributor to the agricultural and pork industry, including contributions to biosecurity (eg FMD) both nationally and with the United Nations.