PROMINENT dairy farmer, Max Fehring has been recognised for more than 35 years of work in the business and community sector by being appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia.
Milk is the life-blood of the 71-year-old Cohuna resident, who said the recognition – as part of the Australia Day honours – has been solely based on satisfaction, not a career.
“I have never worried about the cost of doing it; my family has had to pay at times, not in dollars but in personal contribution,” the father of four said.
“I hope people will recognise that this is just as much for them and the community in which we come from and encourages others to put their hand up to make our communities work and flourish.
“It is the ordinary citizens that make it work.
“I accept this award based on that I am grateful to the community for their level of support, which without I would not have gone anywhere and achieved as much I have.”
Mr Fehring has stepped away from the public sector and full-time farming, but when he is not admiring the modern facilities that he fought for at the 80-hectare family farm with his son, Clark, his wealth of knowledge in agriculture and leadership is applauded as a consultant across a number of organisations.
Mr Fehring’s “significant” service to the dairy industry includes president of the Victorian Farmers Federation and United Diary Victoria from 1997 to 2001, central councillor of both organisations from 1980 to 1997 and chairman of the water committee from 1991 to 1996.
Mr Fehring was made a life member of the federation in 2012 soon after he successfully negotiated a $1.8 billion de-regulation adjustment package for the industry, which helped reinvigorate the State’s dairy sector.
Mr Fehring will address residents this morning at Mystic Park and Lake Charm as part of Australia Day celebrations.
“The theme of my talk will be about empowerment and making sure that Australians keep their pride and ensure they keep their empowerment and take part on that basis in society, because at the moment he have disempowerment taking place with bureaucracy, red tape and ‘poli speak’,” he said.
Mr Fehring said his proudest achievement in local government was his role as Gannawarra Shire Council mayor during and in the aftermath of the district’s floods five years ago.
“Not because I put up sandbags, but I kept people’s self-esteem up and kept them fully informed out there so they weren’t forgotten,” he said.
“It is that enrichment that is the real human quality that one can get and that is what I have received, from the knowledge gained to the decisions made.”
Mr Fehring joined council in 2003 and served as deputy mayor in 2009 and mayor from 2010 to 2012.
“Every election year someone contested against me. I can always say that people made a judgement against me every time and they did,” he said.
Mr Fehring’s advice is, “don’t pretend to be someone else other than who you are”.
“Never forget where you come from – I come from a dairy farm in Leitchville, but beyond that from a community that is diverse with strong opinions,” he said.
Mr Fehring has also volunteered time and expertise abroad, working with Australia Volunteer Abroad in Tanzania, East Africa, from 1970 to 1973.
Mr Fehring has held numerous executive roles, including Australian Dairy Farmers and Australian Dairy Industry Council vice president; Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme director (1991-2003); Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water board member (2004-2007); Geoffrey Gardiner Foundation (2000-2008) and Australian Broadcasting Commission advisory board member (1985-1990).
Mr Fehring is a recipient of the Outstanding Service Award from the Australia Dairy Industry Council in 2009 and the Centenary Medal in 2001.
