The Origins of Grain Trade Australia

!n 1991 some innovative thinkers had the vision and drive to establish a valuable service to the Australian grain industry. On 16 March 1991 in Tamworth GTA (formerly NACMA) was formed to facilitate trade across the Australian grain industry. Those present at the first meeting included:

• Mr Ian Brown - Rural Merchant Supply Assn
• Mr Mervyn May - QLD Produce Seed & Grain Merchant Assn
• Mr David Hancock - Grain & Feed Trade Assn Inc
• Miss Sue Kenny - Grain & Feed Trade Assn Inc
• Mr David Ward - Melbourne Corn Exchange
• Mr David Moore - Grain & Agricultural Commodities Assn of SA
• Mr John Ade - Australian Grain Exporters Assn
• Mr Max Perkins - Australian Grain Exporters Assn
• Mr Chris Kelly - Rural Merchant Supply Assn
• Mr George Hammond - Rural Merchant Supply Assn
• Mr Bryce Bell - Secretary

GTA’s founding member organisations (it was an association of associations) included:

• Australian Grain Exporters Association
• Grain & Agricultural Commodities Assn of SA
• Grain & Feed Trade Assn Inc
• Melbourne Corn Exchange
• QLD Produce Seed & Grain Merchant Assn
• Rural Merchant Supply Assn

Office bearers appointed at the first meeting:

•  Chairman – Mr Ian Brown
• Vice Chairman – Mr John Ade
• Secretary – Mr Mervyn May

Mr Bryce Bell was appointed the Executive Director and served in this capacity until 2001. Annual subscriptions from members were $5,000.  GTA operated with the tireless efforts of an army of volunteers who participated in the Committees and later on in arbitrator roles. They did this at their own expense, a practice that GTA still follows today. Then, as now, members continue to volunteer their services.  This is a real strength for our organisation – members see participation as vital to the ongoing development of the overall grain industry, not just within one sector or on a company basis. To those individuals named above, all the others who worked behind the scenes and the founding organisations, your input is acknowledged.  The Australian grain industry owes you a collective vote of thanks.