Cuballing pig farmer Graeme Dent accepts life membership honours at WA Pork Producers Association awards

A long-time Cuballing farmer and former president of the WA Pork Producers Association has been honoured by the industry body after three decades of formidable committee and community service in the sector. Graeme Dent accepted a life membership at the annual WAPPA awards night on September 5, celebrating his unrivalled devotion to committee representation, advocacy and volunteer work in the pork and agricultural industries. Having spent his lifetime in Cuballing — growing up on a crop, sheep and pig farm before inheriting the enterprise from his parents at 22 years old — Mr Dent developed a passion for pigs from childhood. Mr Dent said he was thankful that the industry had shown such support for him to take on leadership roles. “I was very honoured, it was totally unexpected but it’s a privilege to be honoured by your industry,” he said. “Pigs have always been a passion of mine and I was lucky enough to have some very good mentors in the industry that tucked me under their wing when I was younger and pushed me to step up into senior positions, and they’ve supported me ever since.” The 57-year-old was elected as a WAPPA committee member about 30 years ago and has served as vice-president for several stints before stepping up as president from 2005-2009 and again in 2020-2024, among other positions. Mr Dent has been a fierce advocate for the WA pork industry, speaking up for the trade when faced with a glut in 2019, and tirelessly supporting the resistance to imported pork, feral pig threats and price differentials, as well as promoting the expertise of pork producers. He said representing the WA pork industry on a national level for several years inspired him to continue to excel in the industry as he believes in WA’s pork produce. With the help of his wife Angie, Mr Dent successfully juggled the piggery and WAPPA leadership positions while joining the Agricultural Produce Commission Pork Producers Committee and chairing the Narrogin Agricultural College Advisory Committee. Mr Dent said his proudest moments in the industry included being awarded the grower of the year in 2006 and 2007 and winning a trip to Singapore to see his pigs in the international market. Chair of Pork Industry Training WA Dr Bruce Mullan said Mr Dent had been an “important advocate” for the industry, describing him as “committed and passionate”. Harvey’s Kim Nairn also received a life membership.