It was in 1980 that Laurie Arthur grew his first rice crop.
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That “enjoyable experience” in Moulamein kickstarted a passion and a career that has seen him climb to the top of the industry - representing his fellow rice growers nationally and internationally.
And it all started with an ‘forced’ nomination to join a landholder group board about 30 years ago.
“I would contract harvest and rice share all around the place, and one day David May told me he’d nominated me to be his vice president on the Wakool Landholders Association,” Mr Arthur said.
“I said ‘okay’. A year later he told me he was stepping down, and I was going to be president.”
From that uninitiated introduction to rice advocacy, Mr Arthur became a champion for the industry.
He progressed to being a member and eventual chairman of the Ricegrowers Association of Australia, then as chairman of SunRice - one of the world’s leading food companies.
He was SunRice chair for more than 10 years before retiring last year, succeeded by John Bradford.
For his three decades of representation, Mr Arthur was last week presented with the Grower Contribution to Industry Award at the RiceConnect conference in Barham.
The award recognises an individual who has made an “outstanding contribution to the Australian rice industry beyond their own farming enterprise”.
“A highly respected grower, industry leader and advocate, Mr Arthur has dedicated more than three decades of service to advancing the Australian rice industry,” his citation read.
“His contribution has spanned leadership roles within the Ricegrowers' Association of Australia, including as RGA president, as well as influential positions across national water policy, agricultural advocacy and industry governance.
“He has represented rice growers at local, state, national and international levels, helping shape policy, strengthen industry organisations and champion the interests of irrigation communities.”
Mr Arthur played a pivotal role in the growth and success of SunRice, serving as a director for 18 years, and as chair helping to guide the grower-owned company through a period of significant expansion and international growth.
“Few people have contributed to the Australian rice industry across so many levels, and for so long as Laurie Arthur," Mr Bradford said.
“From local branch leadership and industry governance through to national water policy, agricultural advocacy and his stewardship of SunRice, Laurie has consistently put the interests of growers and regional communities first.
“His willingness to step forward, take on leadership roles and dedicate countless hours to serving the industry has helped shape the success and resilience of Australian rice for generations.
“Laurie's contribution extends far beyond any one position or organisation.
“His legacy can be seen in the strength of the institutions he helped build, the growers he represented and the future opportunities he has helped create for the entire industry. He is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the Grower Contribution to Industry Award.”
Mr Arthur said while his years of advocacy and leadership have not been without their challenges - Australian water policy being one of the most frustrating in recent years - he said it’s not hard to represent an industry you love.
He said the key message he hopes people get from his story is that you can represent your industry while still running a rice business, which he hopes will encourage younger farmers to put their hand up for representative and advocacy roles.
“A lot of farmers are doing remarkable things that most people never see, which is exactly why we have the rice awards.
“It’s not that hard (to represent the industry) because the wonderful thing about the bush is that you have all of these other people behind you.
“It can sometimes be difficult to get off the farm, but it opens up this other world, and you’re out there working to improve things for your fellow growers.”
Mr Arthur said chief among his support base was his wife of 45 years, Debbie.
“It takes a very special person, like Deb, to offer that support,” he said.
So what about the future of the industry?
Mr Arthur said the passion of rice growers will always ensure it’s positive, but he said politicians and key decision makers are making it a lot harder than it needs to be.
“We have a world class industry. No other country produces the yield we do, and we’re the only dual class structure listed on the ASX with grower control but bringing in capital from other investors - I am very proud of that.
“But it really does feel like we’re being pushed offshore.
“The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated to us just how much people need and want their staples (like rice).
“It’s incredibly important what we do, but we do feel undervalued.”
Mr Arthur said Australian ricegrowers are ready, willing and able to fill SunRice orders with Australian grown rice, but government policy prevents them from doing so.
“They call us general security irrigators, but we’re really low security irrigators because everyone else gets their share of the water before we do.
“The implications for our towns - like Moulamein, like Deniliquin - is huge.
“Look at all those wonderful employees in Deniliquin (who have been impacted by the partial shut down of the Deniliquin Rice Mill). We made representations at the highest level before it happened, but we’re still in a situation where we feel like SunRice is being pushed offshore.”
As of this week, after a three per cent increase on Monday, NSW Murray general security irrigators have access to 15 per cent of their general security water entitlements.
While so little access stifles what many growers could be doing on their farms, Mr Arthur said growers will make do with what they have while groups like RGA, SunRice and others argue the case for more support of producers.
“I’m really enjoying being back on the farm more, and I am very committed and getting some rice in this year,” he said.
“If I had enough water I could put about 800 hectares in, but as this stage I’m planning about 100 hectares.”