The Australian Year of the Farmer 2012 was officially launched this week at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney and Art4Agriculture’s Art and Design Guru Wendy Taylor played a key role by the creating the backdrop display and wow what a backdrop
Isnt this woman a genius!!!!!
Australian Year of the Farmer launch display created by Wendy Taylor ( Red Blue Design) Art4ag Art and Design Gurus
The faces in the centre of display belong to Virginia Tomlinson
(Woolworths) Lynne Strong (Chair Art4Agriculture) and Kirsty John (Event
Directors)
This masterpiece transformed the Royal Botanic Gardens into an agricultural showpiece to celebrate the broad range and fine quality of produce which Australian farmers grow and harvest.
The display took the form of a map of Australia to emphasise how this
initiative encompasses all Australians, whether they be primary producers or
one of the millions who benefit from the dedication and commitment of Australian farmers.
The display also told a three-dimensional story of Australia by depicting topography as well. The larger and taller produce became the mountain ranges, grading to the smaller grains and fibres which became the lower altitude areas.
The map of Australia was also divided, state by state, to highlight the different produce generally grown in each state or territory. Around 40 different types of produce were shown on the display creating a bright, colourful and photogenic backdrop to launch the Australian Year of the Farmer.
Art4Agriculture was also represented by Young Farming Champion Alison McIntosh who spoke at the launch
Art4Agriculture Young Farming Champions Richard Quigley and Alison
McIntosh with “Radiator”
Art4Agriculture Young farming Champion Hollie Baillieu also played a key
role featuring on the Australian Year of the Farmer video.
See Hollie here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeOMiP1bC1U
The Royal Botanic Gardens which was chosen for the launch as it is the
site of Australia’s first European farm and welcomed farmers, farm animals,
farm machinery side by side with Wendy’s cornucopia of Australian agricultural
delicacies for the national announcement that 2012 will be the Australian Year
of the Farmer.
Loran Blades Event Directors and Art4Ag secretariat puts her stamp of
approval on the display
Patron, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC, officially launched
the Year in conjunction with Ambassador Glenn McGrath and his wife Sara, and
Natalie Gruzlewski, host of Television’s Farmer Wants a Wife.
Designed to celebrate the contribution farmers make to the Australian
economy and community, the Australian Year of the Farmer 2012 is an education
and awareness campaign founded by a not-for-profit, non-political organisation.
A selection of prize winning stud animals including a Charolais bull,
alpacas and Merino sheep, as well as a New Holland T7.6 tractor driving against
the backdrop of the Sydney skyline added to the agricultural atmosphere.
Young Farming Champions Alison McIntosh and Richie Quigley with famous faces at AYOF 2012 launch
Following the launch, Australian Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC,
joined local school children and Royal Botanical Gardens Executive Director,
Professor David Mabberley, in planting a citrus tree at the site of the first
farm in Australia.
Conceived by NSW-based farmer Philip Bruem AM, and former Sydney Markets
CEO Geoff Bell, Australian Year of the Farmer 2012 is a year-long program of
activities that will celebrate the contribution farmers and rural communities
make to our national economy and society.
“Every person who eats food is connected to farming. Every person
who wears a wool coat is connected to farming. Every person who has timber in
their house construction or sits at a wooden table is connected to farming.
“We encourage all Australians to reflect on the origins of the food
they consume and the fibre and other products they use every day and to seek
out and buy Australian produce wherever possible,” Mr Bruem said.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry the Hon Joe Ludwig MP
said the year-long celebration would highlight how Australia is leading the
world in farming techniques and innovation.
“I congratulate the founders of Australian Year of the Farmer for
creating this program which I believe will highlight the essential role of
Australian agriculture to the maintenance of national and global food security.
“It will showcase the role our farmers play as environmental
managers, creating and delivering sustainability through best practice
management,” Senator Ludwig said.
As part of the Australian Year of the Farmer program, a range of events,
initiatives and the Art4Agriculture educational programs will be rolled out
across the nation throughout 2012.
Highlights will include a nine-vehicle One Country Roadshow travelling
more than 56,000kms to attend more than 400 events, an unprecedented an
Agricultural Innovation and Technology Expo as well as the most significant
food event to be held in Australia, Food of Origin Extravaganza, to promote the
quality and origin of Australian food products – from ‘wheat to meat’ and
‘paddock to plate’. Education will be a strong focus, as will the many career
opportunities available in the agribusiness sector. A photo competition, a
commemorative collector’s coin and stamps as well as a TV program and
privileges card have all been planned as part of the celebration.
Woolworths’ General Manager of Fresh Food, Pat McEntee echoed the
importance of farming to Australian families.
“We source 100 per cent of the fresh meat and poultry and 97 per
cent of the fruit and vegetables sold in Woolworths supermarkets from
Australian producers and growers. Australian farmers support Woolworths and our
customers – and we’re proud to support them,” Mr McEntee said.
Australian Year of the Farmer 2012 is a year-long program of activities
that will celebrate the contribution farmers and rural communities make to our
nation – offering recognition for: feeding the nation, for leading the world in
farming techniques and innovation, and for sustaining the vital agribusinesses
that underpin the Australian economy.