Accolades in the agricultural sector
Former Federated Farmers president Dr William Rolleston is humbled by his New Year Honour, but says the real recognition needs to go to the thousands of farmers who ‘‘continue to produce the food which feeds us three times a day and sustains our economy’’.
Federation leader from 2014-17, Rolleston has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
He said that during his tenure farmers had ‘‘started on a journey which will be to the environment what the 1980s reforms were to the economy’’.
Farmers hated being told what to do but ‘‘show them a problem – improving productivity while lowering their environmental footprint – and they will want to fix it’’.
After a career as a general practice doctor, Rolleston co-established the biotechnology company South Pacific Sera (SPS) in 1988, producing blood products used in cell culture and other laboratory applications for export. He also oversees the farming of the 4000-hectare sheep and beef Blue Cliffs station.
In 2011 Rolleston played a pivotal role in the formation of the ‘‘Farmy Army’’ in response to the Christchurch earthquake, and was a volunteer himself. Former dairy farmer
has been made an Officer of the Order chiefly for her work in dispute resolution, although she has held other leadership roles in the primary sector.
The Wellingtonian believed dispute resolution was better valued today than when she first entered the field, and was a helpful process for farmers who became bogged down in problems related to finances and personal relationships.
‘‘Being a farmer, I have been able to bring that background into the role. I’ve also done the training and have learned from very skilled people.’’
Mudford Penny
In 2000 Mudford became chief executive of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand, a role she held for seven years. She has since gone into private practice as a dispute resolution practitioner specialising in the resolution of rural disputes, farming contracts, livestock agreements, and farm equity partnerships.
Mudford was elected provincial president of the Manawatu/Rangitikei branch of Federated Farmers in 1999.
She has served on the Eastern and Central Community Trust, the Ministerial Committee on Land Access, the Veterinary Council of New Zealand, and as chairwoman of the Electrical Workers Registration Board. She is a member of the New Zealand Walking Access Commission and is chairwoman of the Racing Safety Development Industry Working Group.
from Darfield has been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for services to agriculture and the community.
She has been president of the Central Districts of the Royal Agricultural Society since 2016, is a member of the society’s national executive committee and has been involved with the Malvern Agricultural and Pastoral Show for 25
Melissa Jebson
years, most recently as a health and safety officer, and previously as president in 2013.
Jebson is also a judge at national equestrian events including Horse of the Year. She has previously been secretary of the Young Farmers in Christchurch and Mid-Canterbury districts.