FARMERS are mourning the loss of former Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF) president and life member Gary Sansom AM.
Widely recognised as one of its most passionate and dedicated advocates of Queensland agriculture, Mr Sansom was instrumental in the foundation of QFF in 1992, and served as president between 2001 and 2011.
Mr Sansom passed away overnight in Perth. He was attending a meeting for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), as he continued to tirelessly represent and better the industry in which he took so much pride.
He had been involved with the organisation since its inception and continued to make valued contributions right until his passing.
Current QFF president Stuart Armitage paid tribute to Mr Sansom.
“Gary was and will remain, an absolute giant of the industry both in Queensland and nationally,” Mr Armitage said.
“His contribution to the agricultural sector cannot be quantified, but it is evident in the sheer number of organisations that can credit their success to his involvement and the number of people who can call him their friend and mentor.
“On behalf of our members and the broader Queensland agricultural sector, I offer our deepest condolences to Gary’s wife Julie, his family and friends.”