Victorian Farmers Federation

In response to the need to unite all farm lobby groups, the VFF was founded in 1979 as the Victorian Farmers and Graziers Association (VFGA) - the merger of three organisations: the Victorian Farmers Union (VFU), the Graziers Association of Victoria (GAV) and the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV).

This third iteration of the VFU was established in 1968 following the merger of the Victorian Wheat and Woolgrowers Association (VWWA) established in 1938, and the Victorian Branch of the Australian Primary Producers Union (APUV) established in 1940.[2]

The GAV's roots went as far back as 1890, when during a shearing turmoil, the Pastoralists Union of Victoria and Southern Riverina was formed. The main concern at that time was the strength of the Amalgamated Shearers Union and it became apparent that pastoralists had to unite as a counter measure. In 1907 the Riverina farmers split to form a separate organisation and some 18 years later, in 1925, the Pastoral Association of Victoria became known as the Graziers Association of Victoria.[3]

The first VFU was established in 1879, in response to 1878 Victorian closer settlement legislation.[4] It ceased in 1880. This was replaced by the Victorian Farmers' Protectionist Association, founded in 1887 and becoming the Victorian Farmers' Association in 1891 before fading away. The similar Victorian Chamber of Agriculture existed from 1899-1900. The second VFU existed from 1916-1927. In 1926, a large number of Mallee wheat farmer VFU branches broke way to be come the Primary Producer's Union, (with some additional support in other parts of the state).

In 1986 the VFGA changed its name to the Victorian Farmers Federation to come into line with the other national and state farming organisations.

During the 1980s, the introduction of wide combs for shearing caused enormous unrest in the pastoral industry as did the so-called 'Mudginberri dispute' which became a landmark in terms of challenging the labour efficiency in abattoirs. The VFGA was very proactive and lobbied hard on both these issues. A crippling drought in 1982/83 caused enormous hardship for Victorian farmers. Again the VFGA fought hard for its members. Farmers gained access to subsidies for fodder and also for transport of livestock and fodder.[3]

Victorian farmers were becoming increasingly restless and frustrated. They believed that neither the government nor the general public understood their plight. An enormous rally, organised by Benalla farmer Ian Cuming and involving about 40,000 farmers, paraded through the streets of Melbourne in June 1985 under the banner of 'Farmers Fighting for a Fair Go'. This display of unity and determination established a firm base from which to lobby both state and federal governments and helped bridge the gap between city and country people. The Melbourne rally was followed by a national farmer rally in Canberra which led to the establishment of the NFF's 'Farmers Fighting Fund'. This fund has helped finance various significant campaigns waged by Australian farmers.[3]

Under its first female president Heather Mitchell OBE, the VFF became instrumental in the formation of Landcare. Landcare was created in 1986 and grew from groups of Victorian farmers coming together to tackle natural resource management issues on a district and regional basis. The VFF retains a very a close link with the Victorian Landcare network. There are now about 1,000 Landcare groups and over 20,000 Landcare members in Victoria, most of whom are also VFF members.