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Members and Committee would like to pay special tribute to the contributions made by life members Doug Denham, Don Jones, Sandy Grieve and Noreen Coulton.

DOUG DENHAM
The first Life Membership for Services to Farm Writers Association of NSW Inc. was awarded to Doug Denham.

Doug was one of the first members of the Farm Writers' & Broadcasters Club (later Society), established in 1966. His belief in the importance of the organisation and tireless work as a committee member for many years gained him the respect of the membership and contributed to the survival and growth of our association.

Always a supporter of the aims and objectives of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), Doug represented Australia at the UK Conference in 1971.

A former journalist, he worked on the Sydney Morning Herald and Country Life. Later he became Public Relations Manager for the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW where he remained until his retirement in 1986.

Doug and Gwen now live at Minamurra, NSW.

DON JONES
Don Jones was a founding member and Treasurer of the Farm Writers' & Broadcasters Club (Society) with Chairman, Vince Morris.

President of Farm Writers' Association of NSW from 1997 to 1999, Don has always been a dedicated committee member. He has also represented Australia at IFAJ conferences in Japan (1972) and Ireland (1981).

Former Public Relations Officer with the Wool Board during the Chairmanship of Sir William Gunn, and NSW Farmers magazine editor, Don later joined the Land newspaper and became editor in 1979. He was highly regarded throughout NSW for his in-depth articles on a wide range of rural issues.

Don retired in 1991 and now lives with his partner Heather at Nelson Bay, NSW.

SANDY GRIEVE
Sandy Grieve, a dedicated and tireless worker for Farm Writers Association of NSW and the former Farm Writers & Broadcasters Society; the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists(ACAJ) and the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), was awarded Life Membership in 2001.

Farm Writers' President from 1990 to 1997 and committee member for many years; Sandy was ACAJ President 1990 - 1998 and also IFAJ Vice-President for Southern Hemisphere and Asian countries, 1995 to 2000. He represented Australia at IFAJ Conferences in Europe and South East Asia from 1986.

Sandy was Organising Chairman of the 6th IFAJ World Congress, held in Australia in 1988 and again in 2000 for the 9th IFAJ Congress in Australia.

His long career as an agribusiness communications executive spans a wide range of rural industries and he is well-known throughout rural Australia.

Sandy and Di live at St. Ives in Sydney.

NOREEN COULTON
Noreen Coulton was awarded Life Membership in 2004 in recognition of over 25 years service on the Management Committee. She joined Farm Writers’ in January 1976, when working as a PR Assistant to Doug Denham at the Royal Agricultural Society, and has served tirelessly on the committee every year since 1978.

Noreen was the first woman to be elected President of Farm Writers, leading the Association from 1998 to 2001. She modernized the approach and has been a continuous influence ensuring Farm Writers remains relevant. It is Noreen we particularly owe for the high standard of venue and food we have come to expect of Farm Writers’ events.

Born on a wool growing property in Walcha, and educated in Armidale, Noreen has spent a major part of her public relations career promoting the rural sector. With a strong belief in the rural sector and a loyalty to natural fibres, she has championed cotton and wool within Australia and overseas.

Noreen established Coulton Communications in 1993.