RAS president settles in role
Leading by example is no stranger to Rob Wilson, the newly elected president of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA.
During the RAS annual general meeting, held in late June, Dr Wilson replaced Hugh Harding to head the organisation for the next three years.
With a career spanning 35 years, Dr Wilson is well versed in corporate structures, taking in senior executive positions as a strategist, a board member for a number of industry companies and bodies, is involved in councils and committees, and is a member of several professional societies.
Armed with a PhD and MBA, Dr Wilson moved from Victoria to WA to lead and improve production in the pig industry.
Having managed George Weston Foods, formerly Wandalup Farms' meat and dairy division, Dr Wilson carried off Weston's 2004 award for environment management and best practice, the WA State Environment award in 2005, the Australian Pork Ltd, State Environment Stewardship Award in 2006 and the Membership of the General Division of the Order of Australia in 2007.
As RAS president, Dr Wilson is keen to retain the RAS objective - educating the public as to the importance and necessity of agriculture for the production of food and fibre.
"In 2012, the RAS initiated a project to define the future of Claremont Showground, the RAS and the IGA Perth Royal Show to ensure its footprint extends into the next 100 years," he said.
"The challenge will be to drive this change and improvement without comprising on two important areas.
"One is the vision of the RAS - the need to remain clear and focused on all aspects of agriculture and the second is not to lose sight of the historical context of the organisation."
With education high on the agenda, Dr Wilson said the RAS had been instrumental in improving the key message.
When he is not working at the frontline of the agricultural industry or representing the RAS as the organisation's president, Dr Wilson plays to a different beat.
With a self-confessed passion for folk music, Dr Wilson, along with his wife Lola, can be found enjoying live concerts around the State.
"I enjoy the traditional folk music and have a huge record collection," he said.
"I can play almost anything with strings."
