Velvet competition organisers recognised

10-09-2007 | webmaster

The branch won the 2007 Deer Industry Award, presented at the recent Deer Industry Conference in Hamilton and accepted on the branch?s behalf by branch chair Brian Russell and David Stevens.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Southland branch, Brian Russell acknowledged that they had sometimes thought about holding it elsewhere to make it easier for others to attend and see the outstanding heads, but instead had opted for publishing a brochure with pictures of the winners. 
Other nominees were Fallow farmer and deer trucker Ken Swainson, master measurer Hub Hall and former Wrightson velvet manager Phil Irwin. This year?s judges were Ron Schroeder (on behalf of Porter Holdings), Kelvin Kimber (NZDFA) and John Kempthorne (TDF). 
The winner of the Matuschka Award for the grassroots farmer who has made the greatest contribution to their local branch activities went to Tom Loveridge, Taranaki.  
A special award was presented to long-time Fallow Society president Dick Valentine, who is renowned for his willingness to battle for the underdog. Often a minority of one in debates at NZDFA branch chairmen?s meetings, he is now fighting what may prove to be his last battle, against cancer. He was presented with a beautifully carved Fallow antler.
Also, during the NZDFA AGM, retiring producer member on the DINZ board, South Canterbury?s Jeffrey Pearse of South Canterbury was honoured with life membership of the NZDFA. He has spent a total of 17 years as a national producer representative on the NZDFA, Game Industry Board and Deer Industry New Zealand.

  Printable View