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Mr GEORGE (Lismore) [4.47 p.m.]: Tonight I acknowledge five people with whom I have been closely associated during my time in the livestock industry. I put on record the fact that they have been acknowledged by their respective peers. The first person I refer to is George Hardcastle. George runs the MacPherson Hereford Stud situated at Old Koreelah near Woodenbong, in the northern part of my electorate. Earlier this year at the Royal Agricultural Show in Sydney, George was acknowledged with life membership of the Australian Hereford Society. George and his wife, Shirley, have contributed to the hereford breed in the Northern Rivers area over a number of years. They continually hold bull sales, and have one of the leading studs in New South Wales. This recognition of George's contribution to the hereford breed in the Northern Rivers region was certainly deserved.
The second person I refer to is Earle Bulmer, who is a brahman breeder. He has the Mountana Stud at Casino, which was formed in 1967. Recently he was awarded life membership of the Australian Brahman Breeders Association. Earle has made a tremendous contribution to the growth of the brahman breed in the Northern Rivers area. I well remember when he had to put up with jibes about the brahman breed, especially in a predominantly hereford area. The Australian Brahman Breeders Association saw fit to recognise Earle's contribution to the brahman breed with life membership. Earle has been supported by his wife, Lynn.
Recently John Barber was named as a member in the general division of the Order of Australia [AM] for his services to the beef industry and the community, especially in areas of development research, promotion and breeding. John is a former chairman of the Northern Co-Operative Meat Company at Casino and was a member of its board of directors for in excess of 30 years. John is also a member of the Australian Hereford Society. He is a cattle breeder of tremendous repute and has made a significant contribution to the growth of different breeds of cattle in the Northern Rivers district. For a number of years he was also a director of the Board of Tick Control and was a supportive member of my Casino Beef Week Promotions Committee. He has also been a member of the New South Wales Farmers Association for 35 years and has always been supported by his wife, Enid.
I also acknowledge John Pollard of Mallanganee, who received a Commonwealth Recognition Award for Senior Australians for his contribution to the community of Kyogle and Mallanganee. John Pollard senior is a former councillor of the Kyogle shire for 35 years and during that time he was deputy shire president. He is also a former councillor of the Northern Rivers County Council and a former councillor on the Far North Coast County Council. He had an intense involvement in the North Coast Regional Fire Prevention Association and was also a member of the Cattle Tick Advisory Committee and the Mallanganee Progress Association. He has certainly made a significant contribution to the wellbeing of the Kyogle and Mallanganee community. He has been well supported by his wife, Betty, and her support has enabled him to carry out his various roles. Lately he has not been enjoying good health but he is coping. I commend John and Betty for their contribution.
Recently at the Warwick Rodeo a tribute was paid to Fraser Ramsey in recognition of his lifetime commitment to the sport of campdrafting. Fraser Ramsey is a campdrafter, a horseman, a stockman, a breeder and a trainer. He is a man who rose from humble beginnings in the Northern Rivers district of New South Wales to become one of the region's best known and most highly respected livestock agents and auctioneers. Along the way, he made a lifelong commitment to the sport of campdrafting. He has said, "Drafting is about the people you meet and the mates you make." Fraser Ramsey is certainly a worthy recipient of the Warwick Rodeo's tribute. I compliment his wife, Laurene, who has been a tremendous help to him while he has made his contribution to campdrafting. I am very proud of all those whom I have mentioned because the North Coast livestock industry is certainly richer as a result of the contributions of these five gentlemen and their families. I am very proud to be closely associated with them, and I am proud to have them as constituents in the electorate of Lismore.