Australia Day award recognises Hall’s lifetime commitment

Greg Hall credits family and community support for his achievements. Photo by Mike Moores

THE FORMER Tasmanian Legislative Council member, Greg Hall, was awarded one of the highest national Australia Day Awards, member of the Order of Australia (AM).

‘It’s always humbling and unexpected to receive an award of this nature’, he said.

‘It would have been unachievable without the strong and unswerving support I received from my wife Kathy, who kept the farming ‘home fires burning’ whilst I was away on council and parliamentary duties.

‘I have also been fortunate to have had strong relationships with our 4 adult children and subsequently grandchildren.’

Mr Hall, who was also mayor of the former Deloraine Council, has been recognised for contributions to the Parliament of Tasmania and to Tasmania’s agriculture industry.

In the early 1980s Mr Hall’s family developed a fresh berry enterprise producing raspberries which were exported to the USA and as the berry orchard developed over time it expanded to include new varieties of raspberries and blackberries.

The resulting berry farm at Dunorlan was a fully accredited supplier to Woolworths and Coles and fruit was shipped out daily. By now the farm was employing up to 50 casual workers at peak season and three permanent employees.

Mr Hall’s parliamentary commitment involved moving the business away from berries into a contract weight gain enterprise for dairy heifers.

He said his farming philosophy remained steadfast to farm in a sustainable manner, fence off creeks and watercourses to prevent stock access and to plant a few hundred trees every year for shelter belts and aesthetic appeal.

‘An agricultural business cannot survive without excellent staff, and I would like to single out Brian Morice who worked for us for some 40 years’, Mr Hall said.

‘It was also very satisfying to be able to provide some 50 seasonal jobs for local people, many their first job, when we were engaged in horticulture and dairy farming.’

Mr Hall said he achieved great satisfaction serving in a public capacity, and also in a voluntary capacity across a range of many organizations, and the opportunities that presented to assist people wherever possible.

‘I would like to put on the public record my sincere appreciation to all those public spirited and community minded people I have worked with over the journey.

There are far too many to name, but all have played important roles in helping to make our community a better place.’