From Mossman cane farms to fisheries and research

IN his own words, John Pollock, 73, wouldn’t still be working in the agricultural industry if he wasn’t passionate.

The Yungaburra man has been made a Member of the Order of Australia in today’s Australia Day awards for sig- nificant service to primary industry through roles in sugar and fisheries, and research.

Mr Pollock was chairman of the Sugar Research Australia research funding panel from 2015-2018 and the Murray Darling Basin Commission deputy commissioner from 2000-2005.

“I am an old Mossman boy. I grew up on a cane farm, studied agriculture at uni and worked in agriculture as a researcher and in the policy arena,” he said.

“I think primary industries are important to us and having the mix of being a researcher and a manager has been enjoyable.

“The award is an honour but I’m also quite pragmatic about it, a lot of people have done same work and are equally meritorious.”

Mr Pollock also said three significant changes in his lifetime and been in technology; the corporatisation of primary industries; and pressure along the tropical coast.