New WAFarmers president Tony York

TAMMIN sheep and wheat farmer Tony York was elected president of WAFarmers at the body’s annual general meeting and conference last week.

Mr York replaced Dale Park, who had a maximum number of terms as president, and was joined in the leadership by new senior vice president, Lynette Slade, a Mount Barker sheep, beef and grain producer.

On the first day of the WAFarmers Annual Conference on February 18, delegates elected their new leadership, made regional board position appointments, formed a new Livestock Council and re-elected the Grain Section Council.

“On behalf of WAFarmers members and staff, and all those who had the opportunity to work with Dale during his pPresidency, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to him and recognise his outstanding commitment and dedication towards the Federation,” Mr York said.

Two remaining positions for regional board members were also filled by York grain producer Rhys Turton and Katanning grain producer Kallum Blake.

WAFarmers’ Wool and Meat Councils were amalgamated to form the new Livestock Council. The new council will be headed by Esperance sheep, cattle and grain producer John Wallace as its first president, with Mount Barker sheep, grain and beef farmer David Slade as senior vice president and Kojonup beef and sheep producer Steve McGuire as vice president.

Mr York said the establishment of the Livestock Council will see greater collaboration on meat and wool issues between the two former councils and will streamline processes to ensure continued and enhanced representation on all livestock issues.

At the WAFarmers Annual Grains Section Conference, the incumbents, president Duncan Young, senior vice president Mic Fels and vice president Kallum Blake retained their positions.

Source: WAFarmers.