I recently awarded Hunter Valley winemaker Phil Ryan the prestigious Graham Gregory Trophy at the NSW Wine Industry Awards Dinner.

Phil is McWilliam’s Wines chief winemaker and manager at Mount Pleasant and is a worthy recipient of the trophy.

This is a positive story about our primary industries at a time when headlines are being dominated by the one-in- 100-year drought.

Phil has dedicated his life to making great wine and promoting the NSW wine industry both here in Australia and overseas.

As chief winemaker and manager at Mount Pleasant, he has been responsible for McWilliam’s award winning range of Mount Pleasant wines including the flagship Maurice O’Shea Shiraz, the single vineyard Rosehill Shiraz and Lovedale Semillion.

McWilliam’s is one of the most warded Australian wineries today and much of this can be attributed to Phil’s tireless effort at Mount Pleasant.

ABC visits Condo

The ABC’s radio broadcast feature on drought played an important role in increasing the broader community’s understanding of the impact of drought across the country.

The special national program was broadcast live from the Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) Condobolin Agricultural Research Station.

I congratulate the ABC for taking this initiative. Media play an important role in communicating information about available assistance to those that need it, and to the general community to help them appreciate the drought’s impact.

Don’t self assess

The Department of Primary Industries and the Rural Assistance Authority are urging farmers not to self assess for drought assistance.

Eligible farmers are missing out on receiving help.

Contact the Rural Assistance Authority on (1800) 678 593 or go to www.raa.nsw.gov.au for relevant information and advice.

The Department of Primary Industries’ drought information, including a list of drought support workers, is available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/drought

Updated guide

The DPI has just released the fifth edition of Managing Drought.

It is designed to help as a management tool for farmers – it is not intended to be a complete manual on running the farm during drought.

Managing Drought includes a range of important information regarding short and longterm planning, managing and feeding livestock, caring for the land, the protection of plant and animal health, and key services and assistance.

It can be downloaded in full or in parts at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/drought