John Gommans
Ms BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:54): I would like to rise to share the sad news with the house of the passing of John Gommans and put on record here my condolences to his wife, Penny, and his family. John Gommans was a man of high principles and integrity. He was a scientist, an innovator, a businessman, a farmer and a family man. When I first met John and Penny at the Gippy Goat farm in Yarragon, as well as recounting the horrendous experience of having their farm invaded by 70 activists, they outlined their vision about creating a full paddock-to-plate experience and sharing that with Victorian families. Through their much-loved interactive farms, first at the Gippy Goat farm and now Caldermeade, John and Penny created a special place to grow understanding of how farming and food production work—a real paddock-to-plate experience, and an interactive place for families to meet.
It was my honour to work beside John to achieve his combined goal of strengthening farm trespass laws in Victoria so that farmers, their families and livestock have stronger protection from illegal on-farm invasion. Unwavering in her support, Penny supported John to be the very public face of law-abiding farmers. John was a man of his word, and his calm positivity and willingness to stand up for his family’s vision and all livestock farmers is nothing short of inspirational. I thank John for his work, and his legacy lives on in the terms of the livestock management bill, which has become an act now.