New names in hall of fame

THE Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia has added three inductees to its Agricultural Hall of Fame – former agriculture minister Ernie Bridge, former Wesfarmers chief executive officer John Bennison and researcher, the late Laurence Hartley Teakle.

Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman has extended his congratulations, and stated that the induction of the three men into the hall of fame was fitting recognition of their outstanding accomplishments and contribution to rural and regional WA.

Mr Bridge has served in both local government and state politics, with involvement in agriculture, water resources and Aboriginal affairs. Mr Bennison has played a role in the sector through his position with Wesfarmers, which originated as a farmers’ cooperative, and Professor Teakle, who worked for the WA Department of Agriculture for more than 19 years, contributed to the state’s farming sector through his soil research work. The Agricultural Hall of Fame was established 12 years ago and is a way to honour WA’s agricultural leaders.