Award for Marie and Terry Murphy

THE SOUTH Gippsland Branch of the VFF was recently honoured to be able to give a certificate of our appreciation to both Marie and Terry Murphy. 

Terry and Marie have made an enormous contribution to the current Branch and branches before we amalgamated them. 

They both also contributed strongly to the District Council. 

Both Marie and Terry served as Secretary and Treasurer at various times – often doing both jobs at the same time.

Damian also served as Secretary and Treasurer for this Branch. It must run in the blood. 

Between both Marie and Terry they contributed around 20 years each to South Gippsland Dairy industry, the Branch, the DC and processor meetings.  

They encouraged others to join and participate and produced the agenda, minutes and Treasurer’s Report every month.   

One of the largest problems of the industry was the milk running over the paddock during the 1970’s when Britain joined the EU.  

Victorian farm numbers went from 19,000 to 14,000 and Terry and Marie were involved in supporting those setting up VicStock scales to raise money. 

The money raised went to the District Council and we still have the use of it today.  

Numbers went down quickly until it levelled out at around 8000 farms in 1996.  

It would have been worse without the income for farmers from VicStock.  

Milk production also decreased in Victoria. It took until 1995 for the production of whole milk to increase so as to pass the production in 1970 – even though the production per cow was increasing. 

Marie and Terry were working on their farm and still putting in hours of Committee work for the Branch, and DC. 

The Branch is pleased to acknowledge both of their contributions to our Branch and the Dairy industry. They each worked hard for us all.