“The wine industry had to fight for preservation 30 years ago, we had a major concern with extra aluminium smelters proposed with no filtration in 1979, when I was president, and after a major row with Neville Wran, he agreed that there could be a problem, and I was invited to go to the U.S. to study a number of large smelters, and was particularly concerned by the damage to pine forests near the Kitimat Smelter in British Colombia. The smelter near Lochinvar did not commence, and the Kurri Smelter was fitted with air bag filtration and centre feed crucibles.”

“I started the Hunter Wine Show with Graham Kaye from the Department of Agriculture in 1973. It was a different time with less than 20 wineries, so we took wines from NSW north of Sydney. It was a success from the start, and was the first and soon the biggest provincial wine show in Australia.

"The Association did not involve itself in marketing until recently, but we were very conscious of promotion, and were well known in Government in Canberra and Sydney.

“Our relationship with Cessnock Council improved, and resulted in our involvement in the protection and definition of the Lower Hunter Wine Area, and as President I was invited to form a consultative committee when the LEPs and DCPs were introduced, and updated. I now feel confident that they will ensure that this unique area will not become a defacto housing estate, which it could so easily have become.”

“Licensing has always been a major concern in this area where we now have some two million visitors each year. It has been the policy to ensure that the licensing laws are maintained, that we are treated the same way as our neighbors in South Australia and Victoria, and are consulted on a state basis. I have represented the NSW Wine Industry on the Minister’s Liquor Committee for over 10 years, and am relived that after many delays, the NSW Government have recently agreed to many of our requests and updated the Act a year ago.”

“I am proud to have been President of the state’s Wine Industry Association for over 5 years, where great progress has been achieved with the help of so many from the many regions. I have also been active on Australia’s peak body, the Wine Federation of Australia Executive as the elected representative from NSW for five years, finishing two years ago. I was closely involved in the many meetings with the Coalition in Canberra which resulted in a significant win for the wine industry, when a rebate for the WET tax was negotiated, and which has benefited so many wine companies in the Hunter”.

“I am, over the next year extricating myself from an active and enjoyable involvement with the wine industry, and with many good memories and friends.

“I know the industry will continue to prosper despite the many challenges, and please keep your eyes open for my book.”