DEAR readers, please accept my deep and real appreciation as this is my 623rd and my final contribution to The Pyle Perspective.

The only time in past 12 years that it was not printed was during four weeks I was overseas in 2000.

I have enjoyed writing and sharing these thoughts and hope they have stimulated some lively discussions between readers, as that is what they were intended to do.

About 72,000 copies of The Weekly Times are sold each week, which means many of these purchases are made by people other than farmers.

Two or three people in each home read it before at least half the copies are passed on to others, amounting to many more readers.

I have been amazed time and time again when approached by people from many different walks of life, all over Australia, who have read an article and want to discuss the topic further.

There has always been positive and negative feedback.

One email I received read: "As a non-farmer I have been enjoying your column for years and now you want to damage my grandchildren by questioning climate change".

That was the last thing I had in mind. Bev and I have 17 magnificent grandchildren, but the dozens of emails received from readers who were pleased that climate change was being queried balanced the ledger.

When Hugh Jones, the-then editor of The Weekly Times, asked me if I would consider doing the column, I hesitated. It had been 11 years since I retired from the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria and I was not sure I was the right person for the job.

However, much to my surprise, Hugh explained he had discussed different names with a number of people in the industry and mine was recommended, giving me an opportunity for which I will always be most grateful.

Life is all about people, you can do nothing without them. Most will be helpful with only a few being a bit of a hindrance. You feel sorry for those, and then move on.

The assistance I have received from so many is truly amazing and I will always be indebted to them.

In fact, the only real talent I have is the ability to organise my friends, who then inspire me to achieve objectives that will be beneficial to them and others.

My true affection for the dairy industry, and especially the wonderful people involved in it, has always been my driving force ever since I became involved filling and tipping buckets of grain into the cow feeders on my parents' farm at Cranbourne, before and after school at Dandenong High.

When I wrote that I thought the Australian Dairy Farmers should switch to regional representation it was because there were more dairy farmers in each of the three dairy regions in Victoria than in any of the other states.

The industry needs the best representatives available to run it in the most economic manner, or the men and women farming lose interest and, without their support, you only have a shell - likewise with other commodities. Farmers are always willing to listen if the explanation is clear and the options available for solution well understood, but they quickly turn their back if they don't feel they are getting the facts.

That comment comes from my experience of planning, thinking, speaking and plain hard work.

I was there when the Wheat Growers and Australian Primary Producers Union came together to form the Victorian Farmers Union in 1969. I was on the final executive committee that brought together the Victorian Dairyfarmers Association and Dairy Division VFU to form th UDV in 1976.

Again, I was on the committee to bring together the Graziers Association and the VFU to form the Victorian Farmers and Graziers Association in 1978 and in the group of five that finalised the National Farmers' Federation working paper to bring it into being.

Chairing the two-day meeting of competent people from all over Australia to bring into being the Australia Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme in 1979 was another unforgettable experience.

The parable of a twig on its own being easily broken, but put in a bundle being much tougher to break, is still true and just as the twigs have to be brought together with effort, so do the farmers.

Of course, everyone must learn from the past, but the future is far more important and I still feel sad that too many dairy farmers do not make full use of the technology available. I know they are doing their best, but they need assistance to understand there are better and easier ways of doing things.

Extension work has to be vastly upgraded in the herd improvement and pasture areas where agricultural education could play a special role, but only if the teachers are up to speed and can enthusiastically communicate, otherwise students of all ages soon realise they are having their time wasted.

I am planning to write the story of change in the dairy industry over the past 100 years; from the time 120 cows were hand-milked by 12 people in two hours, to today when one person can milk 450 in an automated rotary dairy in the same time. I will also write about changes in herd and pasture management, fodder conservation and a dozen other subjects.

There have been many marvellous people who have made this industry what it is today and at the very least, they should be recognised in some way.

When the advanced diploma in dairy was established in 2000, neither students nor librarians could find any worthwhile history of the industry.

While this will not be a history, I would appreciate any contribution - written or photo - of someone or something readers think should be recognised.

I may not be able to use all material received but will do my best to include as much as possible.

Copies (I repeat, copies) of photos and information can be posted to me at:

135 Gainsborough Rd, Gainsborough, 3822, or emailed to billpyle@dcsi.net.au

I wish to acknowledge all my really close friends, all exceptional people who have given me great support in preparing The Pyle Perspective each week and thank all the readers for their interest and responses - whether you have agreed with me or not, it got you thinking about the issue.

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone and their families a Merry Christmas and I hope for a very prosperous new year, which will see this great dairy industry continue to thrive and grow.