GREG Lumby was born in Richmond, Victoria, living in North Prentice just east of Rutherglen as a young child, before a move to Brimin as a nine–year–old and has been on the family farm since then.

What's your job?

Own and manage a mixed farm enterprise with my wife.

What brought you to this role?

My parents purchased the property in 1978 and when dad became unexpectedly ill, I left school at the end of Year 9 as a 15–year–old and have been working full–time on the farm since then.

What do you love about your job?

I have always enjoyed growing best quality seasonal produce for the market, as well as looking after livestock. Usually, the more work you put in, the more rewards you receive.

What do you do in the community?

I'm currently the Rutherglen Agricultural Society president and have been since 2010, Murray River Action Group vice president, long time committee member of both Barkly Park Committee of Management (CoM) and Rutherglen Park CoM. Have been a Norong CFA member for 38 years where I did a few years as secretary and am now currently 1st Lieutenant. I was the Rutherglen Football Netball Club president for 11 years until 2021 and had been on the committee for five years prior to that.

What's the most important current community issue for you?

The lack of community members willing to volunteer their time to help others. Across the board there are so many organisations crying out for volunteers to assist with community building such as school committees, Apex, Lions, or sporting clubs. All the different groups and committees can't survive if they had to have paid employees or think there may be state and federal governments funding to keep community groups going. Our sporting clubs do such a great job for our kids and adults in the community but won't survive without volunteerism.

What would you do to solve, change or improve that situation?

Leadership needs to be taught through our schools and pride in community needs to be instilled into our kids at a young age. Then once they become adults it comes naturally.

What's the most important current world issue for you?

The rest of the world needs to continue to realise the quality of our produce that we export. Too many times our producers of grain, fibre and food products are unfairly criticised, with the quality being questioned, when most often its interference from those with hidden agendas and politics that has caused the negative publicity, not the quality at all.

If the person you would most like to meet came to Indigo, or was already here, who would that be and what would you show them?

I would love to meet former Aussie Rules footballer Neale Daniher accompanied by his brother Terry. I was privileged to host Terry to a president's lunch at the footy club a number of years ago and he was brilliant. What Neil has achieved prior and now during his illness with MND is extraordinary. Neil and his broader family epitomises what a strong mind and love for his fellow community can do in wanting to help make a difference.

Being country boys, I would take them to the MCG of the bush at Kiewa Sandy Creek on TDFL Grand Final Day, nothing better in country footy. Then sit at the Winebottle in Rutherglen with an aged port and look down over the beautiful landscape to the Murray River.

What book are you reading?

Don't have time to read books, other than the footy record or the local newspaper. Even then I'm looking more at the pictures.