For outstanding contribution to biosecurity in Queensland

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies, Tim Mulherin, in association with the Kenny family, has established the Peter Kenny Medal to recognise the late Peter Kenny's strong commitment to Queensland's primary industries, particularly in improving biosecurity management within Queensland.

The award honours individuals and organisations that have played an outstanding role in making the vision 'biosecurity is everyone's business' a reality.

As well as the medal, $5000 will be awarded to the winner to further their commitment to improving biosecurity awareness or practices within Queensland.

We are currently calling for nominations for the award.

If you know an individual or organisation that as excelled in Queensland's biosecurity efforts show them support and nominate them for this award.

As well as being nominated by a third party, biosecurity champions are also encouraged to apply themselves an be recognised for the significant work they have done.

About Peter Kenny

Peter Kenny was a passionate and well-respected advocate for Queensland agriculture. His dedication to serving rural industries was reflected in the diversity of his career.

Beginning his professional life as a teacher in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Mr Kenny moved on to manage a range of properties in the cattle, dairy and horticulture industries.

He also held a number of representative positions throughout the years with the National Farmers Federation, Cattle Council of Australia, RNA and QR National, but was arguably best known for his time as AgForce president.

As president, Mr Kenny was seen as a leader who took a 'big picture' approach to agricultural lobbying focusing more on communication and collaboration.

Under his presidency AgForce signed the ground-breaking Blueprint for the Bush agreement with the Queensland Government, and launched the highly successful Every Family Needs a Farmer campaign.

Mr Kenny had a passion for biosecurity management. He understood how important biosecurity is for the critical future of our environment and agricultural industries.

In recent years his passion was reflected through his appointment as the inaugural Chair of the Biosecurity Queensland Ministerial Advisory Council.

Mr Kenny was also engaged to conduct a review of the wild dog management strategy which resulted in the establishment of a new single entity to manage the rabbit and wild dog barrier fences.

Peter Kenny passed away in 2011. While he will be missed, his legacy lives on in the strong future ahead for Queensland agriculture.

Nominations are now closed

Nominations closed on 20 January 2012. We will announce one individual or organisation as the winner within four to six weeks of applications closing.

The panel will judge entrants on their written submissions, focusing particularly on how the person or organisation has improved biosecurity in Queensland.

The judging panel will include the Minister, a representative from the Kenny family and representatives from the Biosecurity Queensland Ministerial Advisory Council.