A putting competition, game of golf, celebratory drinks and dinner at the Narrabri Golf Club heralded the end of Narrabri resident Jack Murray’s extensive career in agriculture.
Twenty-six colleagues and friends ventured onto the golf course, followed by dinner attended by more than 45 guests.
Active in agronomy consultancy and farm management operations for more than 45 years, Mr Murray came to Wee Waa in 1975 as a trainee agronomist with Shell Agriculture.
This was the early days of a newly developing cotton industry.
Mr Murray developed his knowledge and skills across differing roles, and later became the senior agronomist for National Mutual’s property Togo Station in Wee Waa in 1985.
Starting his own consultancy business in cotton in the Namoi Valley in 1990, Mr Murray has been a leading force in what has now become one of the most prominent industries in the region.
The position of CEO at Outlook Ag has been taken up by Jack Farrer.
Jack is looking forward to leading the Outlook Ag team and continuing Mr Murray’s legacy.
“Jack Murray has had a profound impact across the Narrabri and wider Northern NSW region,” said Mr Farrer.
“His agronomic knowledge and expertise across all cropping systems is highly respected throughout the industry in Australia.
“For over four decades, Jack has demonstrated an exceptional ability to inspire and develop people, build high-performing teams, and create significant value for individual growers and the industry at large.
“His personal contribution to the local community has been immense with a myriad of roles across differing sporting, arts, and community volunteer groups.
“Jack informs us he will never retire, but now has more time to spend with his grandchildren Clive, Vivienne and Claudia, with two newcomers on their way in April.”
At Mr Murray’s retirement golf day celebrations, nearest to the flag was won by Patricia Norrie and Steve Boyle in the putting competition which set the tone for a social game of golf, the results ending in a tie for first place.
Following dinner, humorous and heartfelt speeches were made by Outlook Ag chairman Greg Giblett and long-time friend Kevin Schwager.
Mr Giblett and Mr Schwager both spoke of the contributions Mr Murray has made to the agronomy and cotton industry and acknowledged his invaluable expertise and leadership, in both agronomic consulting and the wider agricultural landscape.
