History
History was made for primary producers in Tasmania when the long-sought amalgamation between the Tasmanian Producers' Organisation and Primary Producers' Union was finally achieved without dissent on either side.
The committee announced that it had agreed to name the new organisation the Tasmanian Farmers' Federation.
T.P.O. members stood, clapped and cheered P.P.U members. The latter in tum rose and gave T.P.O. members an equally enthusiastic reception, ending with For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.
This is the day of days, said the PPU president.
I am thrilled and delighted by the decision. Now we will be able to submit our problems and difficulties to governments with one voice. I hope that those who produce, who have been 'sitting on the fence' will enter the new organisation. For it is more than an organisation, it is a brotherhood, meeting on common ground for the common good.
The Advocate Newspaper, 1946
The Tasmanian Farmers and Stockowners Association
The Tasmanian Farmers and Stockowners Association was formed in 1908 by pastoralist Albert Mansell in response to union militancy and the detrimental impact of Federation. It sought to defend members' interests and take action on 'practical and urgent' problems, including stock stealing.
From 1919 it became known as the Tasmanian Farmers, Stockowners and Orchardists Association (TFSOA), and by 1930 it had over 1000 members in some 19 branches. Various committees had been formed, dealing with the marketing of crops; rabbits and other pests; freights; stock diseases and brands; immigration; bush fires; and meat export.
The TFSOA supported research into diseases and pests, and the establishment of the University's Faculty of Agricultural Science in 1962. Its main function was to represent rural employers in fixing employees' rates of pay and conditions of work. From 1984 to 1988 it operated as the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Employers Association and then as the TFGA Industrial Association.
Further reading: The Tasmanian Cyclopedia, Hobart, 1931; J McRae, The Tasmanian Farmers, Stockowners & Orchardists Association, Hobart, 1961; K Murphy, 'The Lyons government, the Legislative Council, and the “One House Bill”', THS 8/1, 2002. Reference: The Companion to Tasmanian History, University of Tasmania
TFGA House, at the corner of Cimitere and Charles Street, Launceston was officially opened on the
10th December 1987 by Mr Ian McLachlan, President of the National Farmers Federation and
Mr L. D. (Ferdie) Foster, President of the Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association in front of
a large crowd of farmers, politicians, media and the general public.
TFGA house was the home of the Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association until the building was sold in 2019.
2023 will see the headquarters of the TFGA relocate to the Tabernacle Building, Wellington Street, Longford.
TasFarmers Presidents
| John Allwright | 1980-1983 | James Walch | May-Oct 2002 |
| Geoff Ashton-Jones | 1983-1985 | Brendon Thompson | 2003-2004 |
| Bruce Stewart | 1985-1987 | Rupert Gregg | 2004-2005 |
| L.D (Ferdie) Foster | 1987-1990 | Roger Swain | 2005- 2009 |
| Henry Edgell | 1990-1992 | David Gatenby | 2009-2013 |
| Peter France | 1992-1995 | Wayne Johnston | 2013-2019 |
| Rod Thirkell-Johnston | 1995-1996 | Marcus McShane | 2019-2022 |
| John Gee | 1995-1996 | Ian Sauer | 2022-current |
| Kem Perkins | 1998-2002 |
Please note that the images above are from years gone by and therefore, some people pictured may have passed.
We apologise if this causes any distress.