Rob Cumming

Degree(s): BSciAg(Hons), GradDipEd(Adult)

Graduation year/s: 1972

I finished high school in Ballarat – Victoria, where the school was not in the practice of facilitating students into a University education, with only two others from the school in my year of 205 students, attending University.

Then Rural Science and had success at the 1967/ 1968 summer club. The call-up and “nasho” bit on a lot of us. I was distracted, took a year off, returning with somewhat renewed vigour, in 1970 to the ‘fold’, being a member of Earle Page in 1967/1968.

A Soil Conservation Service trainee-ship in 3rd year was achieved and the crossing of swords to continue the animal subjects [Nutrition, Livestock Husbandry and Genetics] into the final year – Animal Impacts on Soils.

Career Path and the influence of Rural Science Starting with Soil Conservation Service of NSW [SoilCon]

I was pretty well the first University graduate to work in the “District offices” and manage parts of the tractor fleet, constructing dams and banks. [Inverell 1971, Young 1973, Gundagai 1974, Cootamundra 1974, Henty 1975 and Scone 1985]

It is interesting that some of the procedures that I introduced in 1975 at Henty are still used across the State by the remaining organisation. By 1977, I moved to Goulburn on project management, leading to the Australia wide “Acid Soils programme”. This approach was based on the initial work done with Dr Colin Williams of CSIRO in 1978 to 1985. Into CSIRO as Visiting Research Scientist in 1986.

I started my own soils analysis/consultancy business in 1988 and taught Agronomy/Soils at TAFE. I had developed a different approach to the application of soil tests in grazing and cropping soils – the Soilmaster programme, moving with my own Company, into a broad-based consultancy over 500 000 ha of cropping lands. To accurately predict final cropping yield [using soil tests] has been an achieved target over the last 25 years.

Drought intervened in the early 2000’s, which dramatically influenced the base of NSW agriculture - the family farm. The drought has seen many leave the industry as the average age rises and many farmers have amalgamated with neighbours or taken retirement. Many farmers have become disillusioned with the current situation.

Despite the huge future of agriculture have found the changes incumbent in agriculture of the future, daunting, particularly with the impact of increasing regulation and governmental requirements. The impact of the Rural Science course in what I do and my approach to agriculture has been continual through what is now a 50-year journey:

  • An approach that integrates agriculture through time – the education strand;
  • A need for continuing personal education – 30 odd soils papers published and the aviation education;
  • The need to provide a base for future graduates in agriculture – mentoring;
  • Develop a soils repository of papers and contacts – Legacy database;
  • Develop independence of users from Government “free services”.
Current work status

Not yet retired, [Ros ATC 1967-68 retired in 2009], but as I had an opportunity to learn to fly in 1993, will continue to work.

In the last 5 years, a group of which I provide project management skills has developed a new Company with its own AOC [Air Operators Certificate] using 4 aircraft, providing charter services through NSW into QLD and Vic. I now have over 2500 hours flying time, with 1450 hours twin time in up to 10-seater aircraft. I am working on my commercial licence to provide a mature approach and mentoring to younger pilots of the organisation. To that end, collect data for www.vocasupport.com

This will give Ros and myself the time and means to continue our exploration of Australia, which we have been undertaking over the past 40 years, spending 2 to 4 weeks a year in the outback.

The circumnavigation by air and “keep Australia on the left” at 500 to 1000 feet has seen places and friends everywhere we go. The ground component has been a spectacular journey with friends and sights that most have never seen – Still not good with the scuba gear, but love the Atherton Tablelands and Innisfail area, although hot and humid at times.

In my spare time, I am going to “write THE book” and may do the final paper that Murdoch University need for the award of Ph.D. I would prefer to do this at Armidale, however, Armidale want the “full Monty”. We shall see what the future holds. AND: In 2015, made a decision to move to the Atherton Tablelands, with a 2ha garden, the home brew and wine to make. It includes a plan to provide bees for pollination of avocado’s, maybe 200 hives!! AND: Construct a 14m diameter octagon house with polished concrete floor and EPS 150mm thick roof. I am sure this is “just retirement”!!!