Celebrating a life on the land

David McEwan AM, is still giving back to Tasmania at age 97. Image: Phil Biggs

ONE OF OUR OLDEST DONORS IS CULTIVATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS

In the 1930s, there were no school buses in the rural Tasmanian township of Cressy. And so, at the tender age of nine, David McEwan left home to study.

The third-generation farmer recalls his time in Launceston at boarding school as challenging, both for his parents as they bid him farewell, and for a boy from the country finding his feet in the city.

“I think it taught me self-motivation and confidence,” he said.

But his school life was cut short; the sudden death of his father forced him to return to the family farm. He admits he was “thrown in the deep end”, but with the help of neighbours and the government, he learnt to not only survive on the land but to thrive, using the latest research and farming methods.

Even now at 97, Mr McEwan has a thirst for knowledge and an optimism for the future of the agricultural industry in the state.

While the first seeds in what would grow into a life-long contribution to the agricultural industry began on the family farm, Mr McEwan’s forward-thinking leadership was cultivated through his extensive involvement in the Tasmanian Farmers Federation.

Over the years, his hard work, enthusiasm and expertise earnt him accolades aplenty.

He held senior positions off-farm, including within the Australian Wool Corporation and CSIRO’s Division of Animal Production in Sydney.