AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
Formerly
FODDER CONSERVATION OPERATORS
ASSOCIATION - 1956 to 2006
And previously the
THE VICTORIAN HAY BALERS
ASSOCIATION - 1953 TO 1956

From records and information received, we believe the group started meeting in 1950 when Lou Genoni and Greg Dore met together to discuss a hay baling association.

Following on from those discussions several contractors met together in 1951 & 1952 and they organised their first official meeting on 25 th September 1953, as The Victorian Hay Balers Association.

The function of the Association is a forum for the “4” groups to meet and discuss their mutual ideas, successes, failures, machinery information and manufacturers responses to problems etc. The delegates report back to their groups as soon as possible. Each group makes their own decisions based on the recommendations.

The AGM of the Association is held during The Lardner Field Day's in Warragul each year, normally the Thursday night

Points of interest:

29 / 9 / 54 minutes under advertising- states we have been giving information on prices for “several years” – several years being the operative word. Also in the same minutes mention is made about a contractor being successfully sued for arriving late.

27 / 9 / 55 The minutes mention the “new” branch at Warragul.

25 / 9 / 56 The minutes mention an association had been formed in Wagga and that they would join later. (no record of them joining) Also this was the first year prices were not advertised (no mention why.) At this meeting the name was changed to Fodder Conservation Operators Association.

23 / 9 / 57 At a request from the Deptment of Agriculture for prices, they were supplied with the notice “we” are not in favour of advertising prices.(How things have changed)

22 / 9 / 58 Meeting decided not to provide prices.

25 / 9 / 61 Mowing was listed at 30 shillings per acre.

24 / 9 / 62 Mention was made of the first introduction of rayon twine.

22 / 9 / 69 B. Hedley vice-president to 1973, then became secretary.

21 / 9 / 70 Prices again withdrawn from general publication.

16 / 6 / 71 A charge was made for the supply of Association prices.

28 / 9 / 72 First funds into deposit stock. $140

24 / 9 / 73 A new association at Alexandra applied for membership, no further note.

27 / 9 / 74 First meeting at Royal Agricultural Show:- Melbourne .

21 / 9 / 76 Second mention of deposit stock transferring another $100

23 / 9 / 80 First mention of West Victorian Branch.

21 / 9 / 82 First mention of Sth Gippsland branch, first mention of knapsacks.

25 / 9 / 85 First contractor sued for bad workmanship, and lost.

26 / 3 / 92 After 18 years first meeting held away from RAS at property owned by B.Hedley of Drouin.

4 / 8 / 92 Meeting held in Hamilton. Last mention of deposit stock. $340

25 / 3 / 93 A G M at Rob Tylee of Drouin.

3 / 8 / 93 A.G.M. at Hamilton.

1994 No records of a meeting.

23 / 3 / 95 A.G.M. Royal Hotel Drouin.

? / ? / 96 A.G.M. held at Moama at the Sports Club? No official record

06 / 09 / 97 A.G.M. held at the Seymour Club, Seymour? No records.

0 / 0/ 98 No meeting.

4 / 9 / 99 A.G.M. held at the Seymour Club Seymour.

2000 / 2005 Normal meetings at Warragul