National Farmers' Federation - History

History

Formed in 1979 as the single national voice for Australian farmers, the NFF brought together the many disparate organisations of the day - unifying the often conflicting agendas at both state and national levels.

Australia's farm leaders recognised the need for a unified position, with 'cohesion of purpose' as the most practical means of achieving real gains for farmers.

The creation of the NFF - and its determination to be an independent authority for farmers' rights - proved a catalyst in shaking politicians, of all persuasions, out of any complacency regarding the needs of the farming community and rural Australians.

The first conference of the NFF took place on Friday 20 July 1979, where Sir Donald Eckersley was elected inaugural President.

Past presidents and officers of the NFF are:

Presidents

• The late Sir Donald Eckersley OBE, WA dairy farmer. NFF President, 1979-1981
• Michael Davidson OBE, NSW grazier. NFF President, 1981-1984
• Hon. Ian McLachlan AO, SA, VIC, NSW woolgrower and pastoralist. NFF President, 1984-1988
• The late John Allwright AO, TAS grazier and poppy grower. NFF President, 1988-1991
• Graham Blight, rice, corn and grain farmer. NFF President, 1991-1994
• Donald McGauchie AO, VIC grain, dairy and merino stud farmer. NFF President, 1994-1998
• Ian Donges, NSW cropping, prime lambs and beef producer. NFF President, 1998-2002
• Peter Corish, NSW/QLD cropping, prime lambs and beef producer. NFF President, 2002-2006
• David Crombie, QLD cropping and beef farmer, NFF President, 2006-2010
• Jock Laurie, NSW farmer and grazier, NFF President, 2010-2013
• Duncan Fraser, NSW farmer and grazier, NFF President, 2013 – present

Executive Directors/Chief Executive Officers

• John Whitelaw, NFF Executive Director, 1979-1985
• Hon. Andrew Robb AO, NFF Executive Director, 1985-1988
• Rick Farley, NFF Executive Director, 1988-1995
• Wendy Craik, NFF Executive Director, 1995-2000
• Anna Cronin, NFF Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, 2000-2005
• Ben Fargher, NFF Chief Executive Officer, 2005-2011
• Matt Linnegar, NFF Chief Executive Officer, 2011-present

Historically, NFF was a key player in a number of industrial relations disputes, including:

• Australia's infamous Waterfront Dispute - calling for reform to yield productivity gains over union-lead labour demands;
• The Shearing Wide Comb Dispute - advocating and securing the need for efficiency gains through adoption of new technologies; and
• The Mudginberri Dispute - the AFFF's first case, against the Meat Industry Employees' Union, enabling the sector to challenge and overturn long-standing inefficiencies, securing major outcomes, which wore down union dominance in Australian industrial relations.

NFF Honour Board The NFF Award of Honour was introduced in 1987. It recognises those individuals who have made an important contribution to a strong, progressive and sustainable farming sector and to the NFF.

• 1987 W.E.L (Bill) de Vos AM
• 1988 J (Jim) Tehan AM
• 1990 D (David) Partridge
• 1993 R (Roy) Smith
• 1999 J.W.S (John) Mackenzie
• 2000 A.K. (Alick) Lascelles
• 2002 G.J (Graham) Blight
• 2004 Hon. Ian McLachlan AO
• 2009 Geoffrey Crick
• 2009 John Underwood
• 2012 Alex Arbuthnot AM