NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Farrer Memorial Trust Medal recipients and orations

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Farrer Memorial Medal

The Farrer Memorial Medal is awarded annually to perpetuate the memory of William James Farrer.

Due to the age and archival nature of these documents, some do not meet current accessibility requirements.

Please note: The Farrer medal was not awarded from 1939 to 1942, and 1945.

Prof. Robert Park announced as 2025 Farrer Memorial Medal Recipient


The Farrer Memorial Trust is delighted to announce that Professor Robert Park has been awarded the 2025 Farrer Memorial Medal, honouring his exceptional contributions to agricultural science in Australia.

With a career spanning 37 years, Professor Park has led groundbreaking research into cereal rust diseases, significantly advancing the protection and productivity of Australia’s cereal crops. His work has deepened our understanding of fungal pathogens and strengthened the resilience of vital food systems.

Beyond his scientific achievements, Professor Park has been a dedicated mentor, shaping the next generation of researchers. Many of his former students now hold key roles in agricultural R&D across Australia and around the world.

This medal celebrates his enduring legacy of innovation, leadership, and service to plant pathology and crop protection.

The University of Sydney held a special evening on Thursday, 27 November 2025, featuring the traditional Farrer Medal Oration delivered by Professor Park.

Photo of Professor Robert Park

List of medal recipients and orations

TitleReleasedDetails
Professor Robert Park - When enemies adapt: the ongoing evolutionary battle between cereal crops and rust fungi2025PDF, 7.0 MB
Prof Andrew Barr - How did we get here - Logging the innovations in Australian plant breeding 1977-2025 - and how do we look now2024PDF, 5.1 MB
Dr Kevin Moore - Chickpea cultivation - Ascochyta blight2023PDF, 5.9 MB
Prof Richard Trethowan - A Quest for (Sustainable) Yield2022PDF, 7.4 MB
Prof Rudi Appels - The wheat plant and its genome2021PDF, 1.2 MB
Dr Lindsay O'Brien: Wheat breeders make it happen2020PDF, 770.1 KB
Prof Timothy Reeves FTSE: Sustainable Intensification of Agriculture – for Food and Nutritional Security2019PDF, 1.4 MB
Dr Reg C M Lance: Another Man's Life with Barley2018PDF, 1.1 MB
Dr John Kirkegaard: Farming Systems Agronomy - it is rocket science2017PDF, 492.7 KB
Mr Ted Knights: Chickpea in Australia - Our debt to visionaries and toilers past and present2016PDF, 112.7 KB
Dr Joe Panozzo: Will current plant breeding for grain‐quality traits be applicable in a changing environment?2015PDF, 231.2 KB
Dr Elizabeth Dennis: Arabidopsis and Agriculture- What can we learn about Hybrid Vigour?2014PDF, 1.1 MB
Mr A Inglis AM: A Farrer Legacy – Innovation through collaboration2013PDF, 183.1 KB
Prof G Hammer: Navigating biological complexity – The challenge for the new era of crop improvement2012PDF, 468.9 KB
Dr C R Wellings: The stripe rust race: from state to nation to world2011PDF, 100.3 KB
Prof M Poole: Australian crop production – A story of ongoing adaptation and Innovation2010PDF, 99.7 KB
Dr R J Mailer: The Good Oil 2009PDF, 147.9 KB
Prof P Cocks: Climate change - a failure of democracy?2008PDF, 1.1 MB
Dr T Fischer AM: Improvements in wheat yield: Farrer, physiology and functional genomics2007PDF, 672.8 KB
Prof J A G Irwin: Lucerne genetics and breeding2006PDF, 356.9 KB
Dr J Williams: Sustainable agriculture in Australia - some ways forward2005PDF, 920.9 KB
Dr B Clements: Shaking windows; rattling walls2004PDF, 330.4 KB
Dr L Lewin: Rice in Australia - an example of cooperative effort 2003PDF, 387.7 KB
Prof G Hollamby: Flours ain't flours - wheat breeding for discerning markets2002  
Dr Ray Hare - Durum wheat in Australia - Past, Present, and Future2001PDF, 165.1 KB
Mr W A Vertigan: Combating the Enemy2000PDF, 222.8 KB
Dr W J Peacock: Farrer and further1999PDF, 911.4 KB
Mr M N Kinsella: Sustaining horticulture through quarantine1998PDF, 388.9 KB
Mr T J Flugge: Innovations in agricultural product marketing - The Australian wheat industry's experience1997PDF, 147.1 KB
Prof C D Blake: Charles Sturt: A University for the 21st Century1996PDF, 323.9 KB
Mr E N Fitzpatrick: Opportunity and responsibility - The challenge of natural resource management1995PDF, 689.4 KB
Dr B S Fisher: Global climate change policy: Implications for Australia and Australian agriculture1994PDF, 552.3 KB
Dr D E Smiles: A vision and a challenge for agricultural science1993PDF, 266.0 KB
Dr E F Henzell: Limits to development: Prospects for Australian agriculture1992PDF, 623.7 KB
Prof J W Longworth: Sustainability and agricultural education1991PDF, 620.8 KB
Dr D H B Sparrow: In the shadow of wheat1990PDF, 408.0 KB
Dr M H Campbell: Extending the frontiers of aerially sown pastures1989PDF, 122.9 KB
Dr A N Smith: Terra incognita1988PDF, 566.6 KB
Prof J L Dillon: Population, resources & food: The world between today and tomorrow 1987PDF, 681.9 KB
Dr D E Byth: Tropical crop legume improvement - A matter of adaptation1986PDF, 719.4 KB
Dr C M Francis: Conservation of plant genetic resources - A continuing saga1985PDF, 684.8 KB
Dr W V Single: Frost injury and the physiology of the wheat plant1984PDF, 685.7 KB
Dr J R Syme: Working with the world for plant improvement 1983PDF, 829.6 KB
Prof J P Quirk: A land gleaming with furrows – wheat production in Australia 1982PDF, 606.3 KB
Mr N F Derera: The harmful harvest rain 1981PDF, 670.7 KB
Mr R H Martin: In Farrer's footsteps1980PDF, 607.1 KB
Dr L T Evans: Response to challenge – William Farrer and the making of wheats1979PDF, 1.4 MB
Mr W Ives: The development of agricultural policy in the Australian Federation1978PDF, 904.7 KB
Dr D J McDonald: Rice and its adaptation to world environments1977PDF, 1.2 MB
Dr R A McIntosh: The genetics of wheat and wheat rusts since Farrer1976PDF, 948.5 KB
Dr J S Gladstones: Legumes and Australian agriculture1975PDF, 1.1 MB
Dr H Newton Turner: Hidden treasure: Genetic diversity in plants and animals 1974PDF, 1.1 MB
Dr D F Waterhouse: Insects and wheat in Australia1973PDF, 905.9 KB
Prof J M Vincent: Nitrogen from microbes1972PDF, 1.0 MB
Mr E E Bond: Wheat quality – yesterday, today and tomorrow1971PDF, 678.2 KB
Dr J Melville: The agricultural dilemma1970PDF, 935.0 KB
Mr C S Christan: Land resources and land research1969PDF, 1.2 MB
Dr E M Hutton: Australia's pasture legumes1968PDF, 1.5 MB
Prof E J Underwood: Man, land and food1967PDF, 631.7 KB
Dr G Edgar: Australian agriculture in the port war era1966PDF, 896.4 KB
Prof J R A McMillan: Water, agricultural production and world population1965PDF, 1.4 MB
Prof C M Donald: The progress of Australian agriculture and the role of pastures in environmental change1964PDF, 949.4 KB
Prof R N Robertson: Phytotrons, spectrophotometers and productivity1963PDF, 445.2 KB
Dr O H Frankel: The social responsibility of agricultural science1962PDF, 505.9 KB
Prof H C Forster: The potential for agricultural settlement in the Northern Territory1961PDF, 598.6 KB
Mr H J Geddes: The storage and use of irrigation water on the individual holding 1960PDF, 1.7 MB
Dr R J Noble: Agriculture and the United Nations1959PDF, 1.8 MB
Dr I A Watson: The present status of breeding disease resistant wheats in Australia 1958PDF, 2.2 MB
Mr J G Crawford: Economics – The nation and the individual1957PDF, 968.4 KB
Mr A F Bell: Science services for primary industry1956PDF, 908.0 KB
Mr E A Southee: Practice with science1955PDF, 896.5 KB
Dr A R Callaghan: Quality in the Australian wheat crop1954PDF, 745.6 KB
Mr A T Pugsley: Genetics in the service of agriculture1953PDF, 484.6 KB
Mr B T Dickson: Three notable developments in agriculture1952PDF, 510.1 KB
Prof L J H Teakle: The role of nitrogen in soil fertility1951PDF, 195.1 KB
Prof R D Watt: Some Benefactors of Australian agriculture1950PDF, 634.7 KB
Prof W L Waterhouse: Some aspects of the wheat rust problem1949PDF, 201.2 KB
Prof J A Prescott: Our advancing knowledge of soil fertility1948PDF, 631.6 KB
Prof S M Wadham: Adjustment in agricultural development1947PDF, 422.5 KB
Mr H Wenholz: Farrer oration 19461946PDF, 345.3 KB
Mr T J Pridham: Farrer oration 19441944PDF, 275.3 KB
Dr S L Macindoe: Science and a batter way of life for farmers1943PDF, 424.2 KB
Dr W L Waterhouse: Some aspects of the life and work of Farrer1938PDF, 199.7 KB
Dr G L Sutton: William James Farrer 1845–1906 1937PDF, 248.7 KB
Rt Hon J A Lyons: The 1st Farrer Oration1936PDF, 102.4 KB
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