Soil CRC Patron steps down

The inaugural Patron of the Soil CRC, Major General the Hon. Michael Jeffery AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd) has stepped down from his role as Patron, due to an ongoing and terminal medical condition.

Following an illustrious military career, General Jeffery served as the Governor-General of Australia from 2003 to 2008. In 2012, General Jeffery was appointed by the Prime Minister as Australia’s Advocate for Soil Health.

As national Soil Advocate, he worked tirelessly to raise public and political awareness of the critical role soil plays in underpinning sustainable productivity, delivering high quality ecosystem services and helping to meet global challenges including food security and climate change.

General Jeffery played an important role in 2016 in ensuring the Soil CRC bid was successful. He acted as an advisor to the bid team, and was a critical part of the team that presented verbally to the assessment panel, with General Jeffery delivering the closing arguments. With that background, the Board had no hesitation in inviting General Jeffery to be the Patron of the Soil CRC. As Patron, he continued to promote the objectives and capabilities of the CRC, whilst also providing valuable input to its directions and activities.

In notifying us of his intention to step down, General Jeffery said he “was so pleased to become the first Patron of the Soil CRC as I am so proud of all that you are achieving. I send my best wishes to you all.”

The Soil CRC is immensely grateful for the leadership and support that General Jeffery has provided, both as National Soils Advocate and as Patron of the Soil CRC.