THE Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association is moving to the heartlands of rural Tasmania; last week announcing their plans to move their head office to Longford in 2023.
With unanimous support from the Northern Midlands Council, the TFGA was free to announce their impending move from their current Launceston base in a conference last week.
Speaking at the site of their future office on Longford’s main street, TFGA CEO Hugh Christie said the opportunity will allow the TFGA to reinforce their bond with Tasmania’s rural communities.
“It’ll strengthen our connection to the rural sector of Tasmania by getting us back out in the heartland of rural Tasmania,” said TFGA CEO Hugh Christie.
The move was unanimously approved by the Northern Midlands Council with the planning change of the historic Longford Tabernacle set to include the construction of a modern building between the existing church and Sunday school.
TFGA building committee chair Dr Elizabeth Lord said the move would bring the TFGA closer to farmers. “It’s important for us to be investing in rural areas,” she said.
“We believe there are great opportunities for organisations to be part of regional Tasmania,” Dr Lord said.
“It’s a very accessible location for our farmers and it is important for an organisation such as ours to be based in a rural area.”
Northern Midlands Mayor Mary Knowles said the move would bring the regional community closer to their peak representative body.
“I know the Longford community is very, very pleased to welcome the TFGA to the building.”
Ms Knowles also said the new tenancy of the building would be the latest chapter in the long and storied history for the building.
“The building is rather precious to the Longford Community,” Ms Knowles said.
The building was constructed in 1880 as one of several Baptist churches funded by the Gibson family and built in the surround areas.
The Gibson family owned a number of properties in the region over the years, including Pleasant Banks in Evandale, Belle Vue, Glasslough and Fairfield in Epping Forest, Eskdale at Powranna, Milford and Wanstead at Conara and Meadowbank at Campbell Town.
The family still operate at Scone and Native Point, in Perth.