ANOTHER well known Tasmanian has been acknowledged with a prestigious award this week.
In addition to Richard Flanagan, who took out this year's Man Booker Prize on behalf of his home State, Tasmanian Brian Bonde received the Reg Miller Award in recognition of his dedication to the Australian onion industry.
The award was presented by Senator Richard Colbeck during Onions Australia’s (OA) annual conference in Brisbane this week.
Brian has dedicated the past five years of his life to passionately supporting the Australian onion industry.
While he has been involved in the industry for many years, Brian had no way of knowing just how important his role would be when he accepted the role of OA chair in 2008.
He soon took up the cudgels and found himself in the midst of the extensive consultation process to revitalise and modify the statutory onion industry levy.
After spending countless hours consulting with growers across the country, he was thrilled when the levy vote was counted and then signed off on by all levels of government.
Little did he know that the levy would hit a hurdle at the last moment –when it was recommended for disallowance in the Senate.
And so began a whole new fight – which again took many hours, including negotiations and briefings with politicians from all sides, plus endless interviews with the media.
It was with great relief that the levy changes finally won approval in the Senate in late September – and many heard Brian breathe a huge sigh of relief.
While many of Brian’s recent years have been taken up with the levy consultation, it is important to look back at his farming history.
Brian is a fourth-generation farmer, having lived on the family property at North Motton in Central Coast Tasmania all his life.
He farms 240 hectares and has grown a range of processing and fresh market crops including potatoes, peas, beans and onions for export.
Today Brian is moving towards semi-retirement and is currently growing poppies and operating a successful cattle enterprise.
A small forestry enterprise is also incorporated in the farm business.
Brian has been actively involved in his industry, having served as chair of the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) vegetable council, and until recently was also a member of the OA executive committee.
He remains as a valued member of OA's industry advisory committee.
His importance in the industry was also recognised when he was chosen to be the face on the packets of Coles Australian grown vegetables.
He has a firm belief that we can do much better as an industry.
Senator Colbeck said it was an honour to present the Reg Miller award to a fellow Tasmanian and commended Brian on his dedication and passion.
“Brian has made an outstanding contribution to the onion industry over many years,” he said.
“He has dedicated countless hours to the industry and has never hesitated to put his hand up to help. It is fantastic to see his contribution recognised through the presentation of this prestigious award.”
Outgoing OA chair Andrew Moon said Brian had been passionate in his advocacy for the national onion industry.
“Brian has really gone above and beyond when it comes to promoting our industry, he has selflessly gone into bat for growers,” he said.
“Brian personifies exactly what the Reg Miller Award is all about, outstanding service to our industry, and this award is more than deserved.”
