Victorian Farmers descended on Spring Street on Wednesday 8 June to engage with parliamentarians at the first Paddock to Parliament event.
After a two year hiatus caused by pandemic lockdowns, the event was a great opportunity to reconnect with the state’s decision makers and to celebrate the important role farmers play in Victoria’s economy and community.
The bipartisan event was sponsored by Minister for Agriculture The Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas MP and was attended by over 50 regional and metropolitan MPs from across all parties. The event also presented an opportunity to catch up with former agriculture ministers The Hon. Peter Walsh MP and The Hon. Jaala Pulford MP.
30 VFF members including commodity group presidents and young farmers shared their stories with parliamentarians and were supported by staff members of the VFF’s Policy Team.
Chickpea brownies served by VFF members Claire and David Morgan of Rupanyup Living were a highlight of the event, and went down a treat with the politicians.
MPs didn’t go away empty handed, with each receiving a gift bag featuring the VFF’s 2022 State Election Platform, a copy of the latest Victorian Farmer magazine and biscuits kindly supplied by Kookas Country Cookies of Donald.
The VFF is looking forward to hosting an even bigger and better Paddock to Parliament event in the future!
VFF President Emma Germano and Minister for Agriculture The Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas MP with Gerry Leach, Chair-VFF Planning, Environment and Climate Change CommitteeLeader of the Nationals The Hon. Peter Walsh MP and Member for Lowan Emma Kealy MP with VFF members Claire and David MorganChickpea Brownies served by VFF members Claire and David Morgan from Rupanyup LivingVFF Pig Group President Tim Kingma with Leader of the Nationals The Hon. Peter Walsh MPMember for Bunninyong Michaelia Settle MP and VFF Egg Group President Brian AhmedMember for Broadmeadows Frank MacGuire MP and VFF President Emma GermanoVFF Grains Group Vice-President Craig Henderson and Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region The Hon. Gordon Rich Phillips MPDeputy Leader of the Nationals Steph Ryan MP with dairy farmers, Andrew Leahy – Chair VFF Water Council, Daniel Meade – Chair VFF Farm Business Committee and VFF/UDV Vice-President Mark BillingMember for Eildon Cindy McLeish MP with VFF Vice-President Danyel Cucionotta and Nationals Chief of Staff Grady Powell VFF/UDV President Paul Mumford, VFF Farm Business Committee Deputy Chair Sarah Parker and VFF Acting CEO Robert Taylor with Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing MP and Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly MPVFF member James McEachern with Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan MPVFF Vice-President Danyel Cucinotta and VFF/UDV Vice-President Mark BillingVFF Pigs Group President Tim Kingma, VFF Vice-President Danyel Cucinotta and Egg Group President Brian Ahmed with Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath MPMary-Anne Thomas MP and Minister for Industry Jaala Pulford MP with VFF member Claire MorganDaniel Meade and Gerry Leach with Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien MPMember for Burwood Will Fowles MP with Chicken Meat President Colin Peel and VFF/UDV Vice-President Mark Billing
