Perpetual Award
A lasting legacy of leadership and service to agriculture
Farmer, former researcher and consultant Matt Dare has been recognised with the 2026 Ag Excellence Perpetual Award for Outstanding Service, honouring more than three decades of contribution to Australian broadacre agriculture and 25 years of volunteer leadership with the Hart Field-Site Group.
Throughout his career, Matt has combined practical farming experience with research, extension and industry leadership, earning widespread respect for his commitment to ensuring growers have access to practical, independent information and research that delivers real on-farm outcomes. His volunteer contribution to Hart has been particularly significant, where he has served in numerous leadership roles including Chair, Vice Chair, Board Member, Commercial Crop Manager and Sponsorship Committee member.
Beyond governance, Matt has played an instrumental role in shaping Hart's strategic direction, strengthening industry partnerships and supporting research that addresses the priorities of South Australian growers. His influence has extended well beyond the organisation, contributing to collaborations across the Australian grains industry and helping ensure research findings are translated into practical solutions for farmers.
A passionate advocate for developing future leaders, Matt was actively involved in establishing Hart's internship program and championed the development of the Been Farming Long initiative, providing practical learning opportunities for early-career farmers. His willingness to mentor others and invest in the next generation has become one of the defining features of his contribution to the industry.
Matt is equally recognised for his hands-on approach to volunteering. Whether contributing machinery, hosting trials on his own property, assisting with events or providing practical advice behind the scenes, he has consistently given his time, expertise and resources to support growers and the wider agricultural community.
Presenting the award, Ag Excellence Alliance Vice Chair David Evans said Matt's contribution reflected the dedication of the volunteers who underpin South Australia's grower group network.
"For 25 years, Matt has generously contributed his time, knowledge and leadership to Hart and the broader agricultural community. His willingness to mentor others, support independent extension and champion grower-led research has left a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit the industry for years to come."
As Hart's longest-serving current board member, Matt's leadership has helped strengthen one of South Australia's most respected grower groups while influencing countless farmers, researchers and industry professionals. His commitment to collaboration, innovation and supporting others embodies the spirit of the Ag Excellence Perpetual Award and leaves a legacy that will continue to shape Australian agriculture for generations to come.
Ag Excellence Perpetual Award State Register
for outstanding contribution to sustainable agriculture
Jeanette Long was recognised as the winner of the Ag Excellence Perpetual Award for Outstanding Service to Agriculture. Revered amongst her industry peers, Jeanette is highly regarded as a significant contributor to a myriad of agricultural organisations including the Australasian Pacific Extension Network, Ag Excellence and most recently Women together Learning (WoTL).
Kim Blenkiron, WoTL Executive Officer and nominator, said “Jeanette has impacted and positively influenced so many extension organisations and programs over her career that the flow-on-impact to the farming community cannot be overstated”.
As a highly sought after facilitator, Jeanette works throughout Australia and New Zealand with extension personnel and farmers. She also provides mentoring support to many young extension professionals, ensuring South Australia continues to have highly-skilled people within the agricultural research and extension space.
“It is an absolute honour to bestow this accolade on such a deserving winner. Ag Ex has been the recipient of Jeanette’s tireless efforts as Chair and committee member for many years and as shown again at today’s forum, she continues to give her time for the benefit of this room and the broader agricultural industry”, said Leet Wilksch, Ag Ex Chair.
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Tanja has been extremely innovative in adopting fresh approaches to communicating and extending information to farmers and the wider rural community through her use of various innovative communication platforms, particularly digital media, in the wide range of projects delivered by Mallee Sustainable Farming. She continued to excel and amplify the MSF brand throughout COVID and beyond. These initiatives have supported other farming systems groups across SA, where Tanja continues to actively serve as a friend and mentor to the wider Ag Excellence Alliance family. |
Lyn Dohle has been living on Kangaroo Island for just over 30 years. Since the day she arrived she has not stopped working for our community. Some of us get tired just watching her.
She uses her technical skills and knowledge to the advantage of everybody in the agriculture sector.
Her contribution to the agricultural sector is immeasurable. She doesn't just participate, she leads, one key result is the organisation that is AgKI. She brought together multiple groups and sectors of the agriculture industry, forming them into a single united voice for the primary producers of Kangaroo Island.
Lyn has helped to create and support many profitable and sustainable agricultural enterprises.
Michael has made a substantial and long-lasting contribution to sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources within our State. Some of these achievements have included being instrumental in the formation of the Yorke Peninsula Alkaline Soils Group in the early 1990’s. This group went on to pioneer the development of the farming systems group model in South Australia. Michael also played a major role in the development of Ag Ex with the aim to support the burgeoning farming systems group network.
In just 10 years of being in SA, Ruth Sommerville has made a substantial and long-lasting contribution to sustainable Agriculture within the state. Her professional expertise combined with hard work and passion for her industry has resulted in outstanding achievements, particularly for the UNFS, but also for other communities within the Mid and Upper North.
Ruth has instigated, sourced funds and lead many projects that have greatly benefit the communities within these regions economically, environmentally and socially. The Upper North Farming Systems are very proud to have the opportunity to nominate Ruth for this prestigious award from Ag Ex.
Bruce Heddle farms with his wife and daughters near Minnipa on the Upper Eyre Peninsula. He has been an active and passionate member of the Upper Eyre Peninsula community for nearly 3 decades.
His official (and always voluntary) positions include the Minnipa Research Centre Foundation, founding and long serving member of the EPARF Board, member of the Minnipa Farm Management committee, member of the SARDI/EPARF Project Research and Review committee, member of the GRDC Profit/Risk committee, member of the GRDC Regional Cropping Solutions Network for the Low Rainfall Region.
He is regularly called on by industry participants for his opinion on topical or emerging issues, and still helps shape the direction of research and extension activities.
