By JESSE GRAHAM
A GRUYERE farmer has been rewarded for almost 40 years of work in his community, receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia as part of this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
On Monday 13 June, Terry Burgi was awarded the OAM by the Governor-General’s office as part of the annual Queen’s Birthday Honours, which pay tribute to citizens’ extraordinary contributions and service to their country.
Mr Burgi received his award for “service to agriculture, and to the community”, acknowledging his work as a founding member of YV Fruits since 1993, and his work at an orchard owned by his family since the 1880s.
He also served as a board member of the Victorian Farmers Federation until 2002, a member of the Wandin and District Historical Museum Society Incorporated at Mont De Lancy, executive member of the Orchardist and Fruit Cool Stores Association from 1986-2006 and a board member for the Centre for Agriculture and Business, Yarra Valley (now Agribusiness Yarra Valley), among other roles.
Mr Burgi said he had been working at the orchard since 1979, and had been a member of the Gruyere CFA since 1981, but attributed his success to his “better half” – his wife, Carolyn.
“I have to say that I am thrilled about it, and a bit humbled to be considered by my peers to be worthy of something like that,” he said.
“And then I realised it’s not just about me – I’ve quite a bit of support in what I’ve done over the last several decades, and have had tremendous support from my wife, Carolyn, who has backed me up in everything I’ve tried to do in the volunteer space and in the industry representations and things like that.
“It’s very gratifying, her support – maybe she deserves it more than me.”
Mr Burgi said that agriculture was in his blood, with a long family history in the industry since his ancestors moved to the valley in the 1860s, so it was natural for him to get involved.
“Also, I appreciate growing good food – that’s what agriculture’s all about, food and fibre,” he said.
That family history extends into his work with fire brigades, with Mr Burgi’s father a member of the original Wandin Fire Brigade.
“Part of my father’s philosophy in life was serving community and serving your neighbours, and I suppose it’s in my blood,” he said.
Visiting the orchard grounds, the cool store building was filled with the sweet smell of apples, something that Mr Burgi said made it easy to spot over-ripe fruit – if the scent changes, something’s amiss.
Over his time working in orchards, Mr Burgi said the differences in technology and practices in farming between the ’80s and today were “amazing”.
“When we came home to the business in 1979, computers were very, very much in the development stage, in terms of agriculture,” he said.
“Now, most farmers run a smartphone, their office is computerised and tractors are electronically controlled.
“We’ve gone from straight cool stores to ones with modified atmospheres in the room – I think, as a result, the consumer can get a better, more consistent product throughout the year.”
Though he said orchards were more productive now than in the past, Mr Burgi said marketplace pressures from the two major supermarket chains was a new issue for farmers.
“We deal with a very demanding marketplace, where the dominance of two main supermarkets has impacted the industry not always for the better, in my opinion,” he said.
He said the award announcement came as a surprise, but a welcome one.
“I’m thrilled about it, but certainly surprised and humbled,” Mr Burgi said.
To nominate someone for an award, such as the Order of Australia awards, visit www.itsanhonour.gov.au.
