How long have you lived in or around Canowindra and what do you like about living here? It is a small, highly fertile community. The soil is fertile, the people are always friendly and the country around us is great viewing – you cannot see what you see here anywhere else. There’s always work here.
How did you earn your Order of Australia Medal? Community service. I have worked with the Show Society, Canowindra Racecourse, Land Managers and I was a NSW/QLD representative on the Private Treaty Wool Merchants of Australia board. I was patron of the Canowindra Rugby Club for years and worked for 35 years with the Rural Fire Service.
What are you excited to do in the future? Just what I am doing now. Making sure the showground stays in the best possible condition for the community to use it. While we can keep upgrading it, it can stay as a community facility.
How do you like to spend your downtime? Working on the farm. I find that chasing sheep and driving a tractor seems to switch off any brain fuzz that you have going. It is enough for me to turn off and have some downtime.
What advice would you give to young people? Go to work. Start at the bottom and work your way up.
What are you most thankful for? Being alive, having a family and my health. I am thankful for everything I have got.