This page discusses the history and winners of the Hanslow Cup Competition. The at the bottom of this page there is discussion of the legacy of the Hanslow Cup post SCA, including the Jack Gilmore Aware, Victorian Landcare Awards and the Dr Sidney Plowman Study and Travel Award
Harold Hanslow OBE was an irrigator in the Tongala area who was dedicated to erosion prevention and control. In 1936, he petitioned the State Government to act on soil erosion in the Mallee and subsequently he was appointed as Commissioner of the State Rivers & Water Supply Commission.
He undertook a deep personal involvement in promoting soil conservation by personally meeting the cost of a large silver trophy, known as the Hanslow Cup. The first competition was in the Mallee in 1941.
By 1952, he had donated another four trophies for competitions in the Upper Goulburn, Hume Catchment, Pyrenees and Avoca River District.
When Harold Hanslow died in 1958, the Hanslow Cup booklets for 1959 carried the following tribute:
For the first time since the Control of Sand Drift Competitions began in the Mallee in 1940, the man who conceived the idea of soil conservation competitions in Victoria will be absent from all Field Days.
The death last year of the “The Little Man with the Big Heart”, Mr Harold Hanslow O.B.E, ended a unique lifetime of service to the soil to which Victorians must always remain indebted.
By his enthusiasm, foresight and knowledge he created a soil saving conscience in many. He gave freely of his time, energy and money – and he was not a rich man-to initiate the soil conservation competitions and to provide the now coveted Hanslow Cups. He made provision from his estate for more money for the encouragement of soil conservation by farmer competitions.
His was an example to inspire us. All who knew Harold Hanslow admired and respected his tenacity, generosity and high moral and physical courage.
By 1961, a sixth Hanslow Cup was purchased from the fund provided by Harold Hanslow’s bequest and was for competitions in the Southern Region.
The Hanslow Cup competitions were eagerly contested, and field days were legendary. It was not unusual to have over 300 people attending a field day on the property of the Cup winner.
In addition to the winner, prizes were awarded to second and third placegetters, as well as municipal awards in some competitions. There were many examples of placegetters winning the competition several years later.
The judging of the competitions was usually carried out by a District Conservation Officer or experienced Conservation Officer from outside the district being judged and as such the competitions also played an important part in the development of field officers. In some competitions, the number of entries sometimes necessitated that an assistant be appointed to help the judge.
The Hanslow Cup was not a best farm competition. The judge’s task was to determine the most effective effort towards soils conservation for permanent and profitable landuse, having regard to the erosion hazard on each competing property.
In 1962, for the first time, the winners also received the Hanslow Medal as a permanent memento of their success.
In November 1964, Chief Conservation Officer Harold Dickinson provided advice on the question of whether landholders in Group Conservation Areas should be accepted as entrants in the Hanslow Cup competitions, particularly when the Authority has undertaken non-productive works on the property.
The answer was that landholders were entitled to enter. However, judges should bear in mind that the competitions are intended to determine which of the entrants has made the best effort towards achieving soil conservation, having regard to the erosion hazard which each has to contend, the judge should give by far the greatest credit to the true soil conservation works carried out. Non-productive works, though often costly and possibly carried out by the Authority, should constitute a very small part of the credit given the individual.
In 1967, the Authority again stated that the conducting of competitions on the same basis as in the past has continued to cause the Authority concern because of the demand on officer’s time.
As a consequence, the Authority decided in September 1967 that the competitions would continue for a further period of 12 months with unrestricted entries for the Mallee region, entries restricted to ten in other Regions and no soliciting of entries for the competitions in any but the Mallee region.
It is further decided that all District Advisory Committees would be provided with views as to the reasons for continuing or discontinuing the competitions and their comments were requested.
Finally, the Authority decided that it would consider the matter on the evidence provided by the District Advisory Committees views prior to the end of the year.
In July 1968, the Authority decided that:
• The Hanslow Cup competitions be continued in the Mallee Region on its present basis
• That the competition be held on an eight year rotating basis in all other regions, as an interim measure, with judging of entries in each competition to be restricted to ten
• That the matter be reviewed again in two years time.
The evidence indicated that landholders in the Mallee Region continue to value soil conservation competitions as a valuable education medium. However, over the greater part of the State it appears that voluntary entrants are so few that it is doubtful whether a continuation of competitions is warranted, in their present form, in five of the six Regions.
On the other hand, it is accepted by all interested in soil conservation education that the holding of field days is a most worthwhile way in which the Authority may show its technical works to those who desire to gain such information.
After considering the views of the District Advisory Committees, the Authority decided to hold district competitions in the Mallee region each year and in a district in each of the other five Regions, every second year. This would mean that as regards the five Regions, a competition would be held in any particular district every eight years.
In 1972 the format of the Hanslow Cup was changed again with competitions to be held on a regional instead of district basis. Each year there was to be a competition held in three of the regions and then in the following year the competition would be held in the other three regions.
In 1977, further changes were made in the organisation of the competition. Wherever possible, canvassing of entrants was concentrated on farmers who had achieved significant results in coping with specific problems being encountered within their competition area. As an example, there was specialist focus on hill country management in one area while in another area the focus was on dryland salting.
While many hundreds of properties have entered the Hanslow Cup Competition over the years, two deserve special mention, having won the Hanslow Cup on four separate occasions.
In the Gippsland region, Mr and Mrs J. Amit of Bindi Station East Gippsland were winners in 1960, 1964, 1968 and 1972. While in the Mallee, A. H. Schack & Sons of Gama were winners in 1942,1947,1949 and 1951.
Mallee Competition
This was the first Hanslow Cup Competition commenced in 1941.
The Mallee area included the Shires of Walpeup, Mildura, Karkarooc, Swan Hill, Wycheproof, Birchip, Kerang, Dimboola.
First Ever Hanslow Cup
From the Journal of Agriculture, Victoria, September 1940:
Soil Drift Control
The State Rivers and Water Supply Commission has inaugurated a competition for the control of soil drift on a Mallee farm. As soil drift causes great losses in land fertility and enormous waste of time, labour and money in maintaining water channels, roads, railways, fences and buildings, it is essential that the best control methods which are available should be made generally known.
Mr H. Hanslow, Commissioner of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, has presented a sterling silver cup, valued at 50 pounds for the annual competition and open to farmers dealing with this problem in the best way. The cup will be housed in a handsome wooden cabinet which has been presented by the Forests Commission. In addition to holding the cup for one year each winner will receive a replica of the cup.
Mallee farmers, therefore, have been invited to enter this completion, for which there is no entrance fee, and by so doing, not only will help conserve the fertility of their own farms but also help to prevent the economic waste of manpower and money caused in removing the drifted soil.
Conditions of the Competition
The competition will be open to farmers in the Mallee districts who are attempting by one or more methods to control soil drift. The Judge will take into consideration the problems faced by each individual farmer, so assessing his degree of difficulty. Even the best effort to control soil drift may not result in complete success, but the competition will be judged mainly by the efforts made and the degree of success achieved in reducing soil drift on he cultivated areas farmed by the entrants and in relation to their general farm management and economy.
The competition will be divided into zones if necessary and judged by officers of the Department of Agriculture. The following scale of points will be used:
1. Steps taken to prevent or minimise drift on –
(a) Fallowed land e.g. by cover crops, cultivation methods, retention of stubble etc. 40 pts
(b) On other land including stubble land 20 pts
2. Success achieved in protection of channels, roads, fences buildings etc 20 pts
3. Suitability of general farming methods for the preservation of soil fertility and reduction of soli drift, including consideration of crop rotation, stocking methods, fodder conservation and weed control 20 pts
Note – In awarding points, the Judge will give full consideration to the susceptibility to drift of the soils on each farm, thus providing a concession to the entrants faced with the greater problems. Twenty-five per cent of the points in each section will be reserved for this purpose.
Entries for this completion closed on 31st August. Entrants will be notified in advance of the Judge’s visits, which is expected will take place in the spring and autumn. Publication of points will be restricted to the three leading competitors and no person will be eligible to win the competition two years in succession.
In 1960 the Mallee Competition was split into four districts with the Competition to rotate around the four districts which were as follows:
NM – Northern Mallee – Shire of Mildura
WM – Western Mallee – Shire of Walpeup
SM – Southern Mallee – Shires of Karkarooc, Wycheproof, Birchip
EM – Eastern Mallee – Shires of Kerang, Swan Hill
The nature of the Mallee Hanslow Cup competition changed as farmers, supported by a small band of enthusiastic Department of Agriculture and Soil Conservation Authority officers, adopted improved agronomic practices which recognised erosion hazard and land capability of different Mallee soils.
The field days on winners’ properties played a major role in creating awareness and triggering a major expansion of legume sowings. Alan Barbery of Woomelang demonstrated in 1952 the value of Barrel Medic for building soil fertility and boosting production. The Crane and Lindner families showed the way to productive soil conservation on difficult sand hill country by the use of lucerne based pastures, at memorable field days at Murrayville and Tutye in 1953 and 1957.
Over the 45 years from 1941 to 1985, the Mallee Hanslow Cup Competitions and field days have played an important role in sharing farmer and departmental experience with the Mallee farming community.
There were many changes in the use of land in the Mallee in the eleven years to 1952 during which the Mallee Soil Drift Competitions have been held.
Following Mr Harold Hanslow’s suggestion and his donation of the first cup to bear his name, the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission’s organisation of the contests – with the help of the old Soil Conservation Board and other department, organisations and firms – has introduced a new outlook in the minds of many who live in the northwest of the State.
Now that the Soil Conservation Authority has taken over the competition, the name of the contest has been changed to the “Mallee Soil Conservation Competition”. Not only is the problem of sand drift dealt with, but better use of the land generally is considered. The status of the Mallee has been raised from that of a problem area to that of a normal territory with its own special considerations.
These field days were important events on the Mallee communities’ calendar, often resulting in attendances of over 150 people. The field days usually attracted media attention, enabling positive and enlightened farm management messages to be portrayed to the wider public. This helped to overcome the public perception of he frequently maligned Victorian Mallee and its farming community.
In the 1954 competition there were 55 entries causing the Authority to appoint two Judges, Tony Rae and Alan Newton. Between them the two judges travelled over 3000 km judging the competition.
Mallee Hanslow Cup Winners
| 1941 | F.A. Meagher | Murrayville |
| 1942 | A.H. Schack | Gama |
| 1943 | V. Watson | Nyah West |
| 1944 | F.A. Meagher | Murrayville |
| 1945 | F.J. Hofmaier | Rosebery |
| 1946 | T.A. Clugston | Brentwood |
| 1947 | A.H. Schack & Son | Gama |
| 1948 | H.J. Mudge | Karawinna |
| 1949 | A.H. Schack & Son | Gama |
| 1950 | W.H. Kruss | Torrita |
| 1951 | A.H. Schack & Sons | Gama |
| 1952 | A.E. Barbary | Woomelang |
| 1953 | F.J. & S.M. Crane & Sons | Murrayville |
| 1954 | Leach Bros | Walpeup |
| 1955 | F.J. Hofmaier & Sons | Rosebery |
| 1956 | W.J. McInerney | Sea Lake |
| 1957 | M & R &T Lindner | Tutye |
| 1958 | N.G.& R.M. Watt | Werrap |
| 1959 NM | F.O. Wood | Werrimull |
| 1960 WM | H. Heintze | Murrayville |
| 1961 SM | S.F. & D.M. Fisher | Yaapeet |
| 1962 EM | J.H. Wright | Manangatang |
| 1963 NM | E. Ruchel & Sons | Meringur |
| 1964 WM | J.K. & E.B. Brown | Tutye |
| 1965 SM | J.A. & M.A. Fisher | Yaapeet |
| 1966 EM | J.J. & L.J. Larkin | Kooloonong |
| 1967 NM | A.F. Boord & Sons | Yarrara |
| 1968 WM | M & R &T Lindner | Tutye |
| 1969 EM | R.A. McPhee | Watchupga |
| 1970 NM | Mr & Mrs R.H. Matthews | Meringur |
| 1971 WM | A.R. & J.F. Crook | Ouyen |
| 1972 | No competition | |
| 1973 WM | M. & D.H. Russell & Sons | Hopetoun |
| 1974 | No competition | |
| 1975 NM | C.R & E.E. Nickolai | Karween |
| 1976 EM | R.F. & E.J. Gormann | Sea Lake |
| 1977 WM | J.M., J.A. & E.E. Grace | Turriff West |
| 1978 NM | Wait Bros | Natya |
| 1979 EM | C.A. Bailey & Sons | Watchupga |
| 1980 WM | K.C & N.H. Duthie | Woomelang |
| 1981 NM | McQueen Partnership | Kooloonong |
| 1982 EM | W. W, E.M, W.J. & A.J. Watson | Berriwillock |
| 1983 WM | A.W. Parker & Sons | Tutye |
| 1984 NM | W.J.& G.M. Aitkman & Sons | Lake Carpal |
| 1985 EM | D.J. & E.P. Watson & Sons | Nyah West |
Goulburn Catchment
The Goulburn Catchment Soil Conservation Competition was the second to be held and was open to any landholder whose property was in the Shires of Mansfield, Alexandra, Yea, Broadford, Seymour, Kilmore, Pyalong, Goulburn, Euroa, Violet Town, Benalla and parts of the Shires of Shepparton and Healesville.
Goulburn Catchment Hanslow Cup Winners
| 1945 | J. H. Sutherland | Yarck |
| 1946 | I R Currie | Euroa |
| 1947 | Tehan Bros | Strath Creek |
| 1948 | L J Sargood | Gooram |
| 1949 | C W Webster | Winton |
| 1950 | C. S Hartridge | Benalla |
| 1951 | R.R. Webster | Avenel |
| 1952 | J. B. Hamilton | Homewood |
| 1953 | J. McW. Sutherland | Cathkin |
| 1954 | L. J. Bradshaw | Earlston |
| 1955 | F. S. Saunders | Goorambat |
| 1956 | R. T. Borbidge | Kilmore |
| 1957 | R. D. Griffin & Sons | Tarnook |
| 1958 | L.S. Drummond | Avenel |
| 1959 | J. H. Sutherland & Sons | Yarck |
In 1960, the Goulburn Catchment became part of the North Eastern Competition.
Upper Murray Competition
This was the third Hanslow Cup Competition, commenced in 1948 and open to any property in the Shires of Bright, Beechworth, Chiltern, Oxley, Rutherglen, Towong, Upper Murray, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Yackandandah, Yarrawonga and part of Omeo.
Upper Murray Hanslow Cup Winners
| 1948 | L Cox | Wangaratta South |
| 1949 | W H Jarvis | Benambra |
| 1950 | L. Cox | Wangaratta South |
| 1951 | W.A Wood | Tallangatta |
| 1952 | Cancelled due to Bushfires | |
| 1953 | H. Nicholas | Benambra |
| 1954 | Mr & Mrs J. W Baker | Springhurst |
| 1955 | W. S. Cheshire | Burrowye |
| 1956 | C. C. Johnson & Son | Whorouly |
| 1958 | J. W. Baker | Springhurst |
| 1959 | G. C Jarvis | Cudgewa |
In 1960, the Upper Murray became part of the North Eastern Competition and the actual Upper Murray Hanslow Cup was then used for the Gippsland Competition.
North Eastern Region Competition
The new North Eastern Competition combined the former Goulburn and Upper Murray Competitions and was comprised of four Districts:
Upper Goulburn District (UG) – Shires of Alexandra, Mansfield, Yea
Murray and Lower Goulburn Districts (MLG) – Shires of Nathalia, Numurkah, Cobram, Yarrawonga, Tungamah, Shepparton, Benalla, Violet Town, Euroa, Cohuna, Deakin, Goulburn, Rodney
Ovens District (OD) – Shires of Rutherglen, Wangaratta, Chiltern, Beechworth, Bright, Oxley, Myrtleford
Upper Murray District (UM) – Shires of Upper Murray, Towong, Wodonga, Yackandandah and the Kiewa valley in the Shire of Bright.
North Eastern Region Hanslow Cup Winners
| 1960 (MLG) | L.J Bradshaw | Caniambo |
| 1961(O) | D M Gibb | Bobinawarrah |
| 1962 (UM) | R W Wake | Thowgla |
| 1963 (UG) | L. Payne | Koriella |
| 1964 (MLG) | J.H. Sleigh | Nagambie |
| 1965 (O) | D.G. Witherow | Bowmans Forest |
| 1966 (UM) | J. Condon | Bethanga |
| 1967 (UG) | Messrs Tehan Bros. | Maindample |
| 1968 (MLG) | J.H. Alexander | Bungeet West |
| 1969 (O) | J.B.C. Leviny | Meadow Creek |
| 1971(UM) | J. McGaffin | Wodonga |
| 1973 | A. & W. Jones | Kanumbra |
| 1975 | A.D. Drysdale | Yea |
| 1977 | N.G. & K.G. Sheppard | Tarrawingee |
| 1979 | N.K. Miller | Yea |
| 1981 | A.&B. Grimwade | Mansfield |
| 1984 | J.I.M. Elder | Longwood |
Pyrenees District Competition
The fourth Hanslow Cup Competition commenced in 1950 and covered the Shires of Ararat, Avoca, Lexton, Ripon and Stawell. In 1953, the District was divided into three zones with the Competition being held in each zone once every three years. The principal reasons for the zoning were that it would in the opinion of the District Advisory Committee, reduce to a minimum the variation in conditions and erosion hazard under which the competitors were operating, create greater interest where most required and reduce the work of the Judge.
The new zones were:
• Shires of Avoca and Stawell
• Shires of Lexton and Ripon
• Shire of Ararat
In 1959, the three zones were recombined and there were 75 entries for the competition
Pyrenees District Hanslow Cup Winners
| 1950 | E. H. Cameron & Son | Buangor |
| 1951 | A.R Beggs | Beaufort |
| 1952 | J. L. Kirkpatrick | Beaufort |
| 1953 | J. Bain | Navarre |
| 1954 | Brennan Bros. | Buangor |
| 1955 | A. Hartwich | Buangor |
| 1956 | D. D. &M.M. Greene | Elmhurst |
| 1957 | W. J. Dyer | Elmhurst |
| 1958 | E. H. Cameron | Ararat |
| 1959 | Mr J. Iles & Mrs T. Murnane | Elmhurst |
Then in 1960, Pyrenees became part of the new Western Region Competition
Western Region Competition
The Western Region Competition was to rotate through the following Soil Conservation Districts:
Glenelg (G) – Shires of Glenelg, Wannon, Dundas, Mt Rouse, Portland
Southern Wimmera (SW) – Shires of Kowree, Arapiles, Wimmera, Dunmunkle
Northern Wimmera (NW) – Shires of Kaniva, Lowan, Dimboola, Warracknabeal
Pyrenees (P) – Shires of Stawell, Avoca, Ararat, Lexton, Ripon
Western Region Competition Hanslow Cup Winners
| 1960 (G) | PJ Munro & Sons | Casterton |
| 1961(SW) | F A Meagher | Natimuk |
| 1962 (NW) | S & B Chaplin | Werrap |
| 1963 (P) | H.V. Price & Sons | Eversley |
| 1964 (G) | A.H. & J.I. Baulch | Coleraine |
| 1965 (SW) | J.B. Heard & Co | Horsham |
| 1966 (NW) | Mr & Mrs N.G. Watt | Werrap |
| 1967 (P) | E.J. Ball | Lexton |
| 1968 (G) | E.V. & D.M. Baulch | Coleraine |
| 1969 (SW) | M.B. Lamshed | Brimpaen |
| 1972 | A.J., I.A. & K.W. McKenzie | Ararat |
| 1974 | H.R., N.K. & B.D. Dalkin | Armstrong |
South Western Victorian Competition
Commenced in 1977 it comprised the Soil Conservation Districts centred on Horsham, Hamilton, Ararat and Colac.
South Western Victoria Hanslow Cup Winners
| 1977 | Price Pastoral Co | Eversley |
| 1979 | N.E. & S.J. Lawrance | Gatum |
| 1981 | A.G & G. H. Holden | Stawell |
| 1984 | D L Nicholls | Coleraine |
Avoca River Competition
The fifth Soil Conservation Competition was introduced in 1952 in the Avoca River Soil Conservation District, comprising the Shires Gordon, Korong, Charlton, Donald, Kara-Kara and Bet Bet.
Avoca River Hanslow Cup Winners
| 1952 | R.N. Blackwood | Buckrabanyule |
| 1953 | H. White & Sons | Nine Mile |
| 1954 | R.B. Gray | Bet Bet |
| 1955 | V.Proctor | Kooreh |
| 1956 | Mr & Mrs H.L. Martin | St Arnaud |
| 1957 | A.J. Raeburn & Sons | Paradise |
| 1958 | A. John | Yeungroon |
| 1959 | Mr & Mrs H.L. Martin | St Arnaud |
In 1960 the Avoca River Competition was incorporated into the North Central Region Competition.
North Central Region Competition
The North Central Soil Conservation Competition commenced in 1960 and comprised four Soil Conservation Districts – Avoca River (Charlton), Upper Loddon (Maryborough), Campaspe (Bendigo), and Central (Broadford, Heathcote).
Campaspe District (CA) – Shires of East Loddon, Huntly, Marong, Strathfieldsaye, Waranga, Rochester, Deakin, Rodney
Central District (CE) – Shires of Broadford, Gisborne, Kilmore, McIvor, Newham & Woodend, Pyalong, Romsey, Seymour
Upper Loddon District (UL) – Shires of Tullaroop, Maldon, Metcalfe, Newstead, Talbot, Creswick, Ballarat, Bungaree, Glenlyon, Kyneton
Avoca River District (AR) – Shires of Bet Bet, Charlton, Gordon, Kara Kara, Korong
Originally, the Hanslow Cup Competitions were conducted once every four years in each of the four districts but in 1976 it was changed to one competition for the whole region, held every two years.
In the 1965 competitions, the number of entrants in the competition had to be limited in order to lessen the amount of time District Conservation Officers were away from their normal duties judging
North Central Region Hanslow Cup Winners
| 1960 CA | A.E. Tranter | Toolleen |
| 1961(CE) | N.H. Bowers & Son | Kilmore |
| 1962 (UL) | C.K. & P.B. Hyett | Baringhup |
| 1963 (AR) | H. Watts & Sons | Coonooer Bridge |
| 1964 (CA) | J.F. Grylls | Lockwood South |
| 1965 (CE) | J.D. Beckingsale | Darraweit Guim |
| 1966 (UL) | Mr & Mrs F.T. Longmire & Son | Werona |
| 1967 (AR) | V. & L.J. Proctor | St Arnaud |
| 1968 (CA) | J.G. Edwards | Axe Creek |
| 1969 (CE) | E.O. & A.E. Bidstrup | Broadford |
| 1971 (UL) | K. & B.P. O’Connell | Carisbrook |
| 1972 (AR) | H.B. Vanrenen & Sons | Logan |
| 1974 | W. McRobert & Sons | Toolleen |
| 1976 | A.J. Supple & Son | Paradise |
| 1978 | L.R. & V. Douglass | Buckrabanyule |
| 1980 | J.I. & L.I. Dettmann | Baynton |
| 1982 | A.E.&N.J. Tranter | Toolleen |
| 1983 | J.H.&D.M. Greene | Elmhurst |
Gippsland Competitions
Following the transfer of Upper Murray to the North Eastern Competition, Gippsland became a stand alone competition in 1960. Gippsland was divided into four Soil Conservation Districts with the competition to rotate annually through the four Districts.
Tambo (T) – Shires of Orbost, Omeo, Tambo
Avon (A) – Shires of Maffra, Avon, Bairnsdale
Western Gippsland (WG) – Shires of Buln Buln, Narracan, Warragul, Bass, Korumburra, Woorayl, Mirboo
Southern Gippsland (SG) – Shires of Morwell, Traralgon, Rosedale, South Gippsland, Alberton
Gippsland Hanslow Cup Winners
| 1960 (T) | J. Armit | Bindi |
| 1961(A) | E. E. Cumming & Son | Glenmaggie |
| 1962 (SG) | Mr and Mrs N.H. Paulet | Upper Flynn |
| 1963 (WG) | Mr and Mrs C.D. Mitchell | Pound Creek |
| 1964 (T) | J. Armit | Bindi |
| 1965 (A) | W.E. Vardy & Sons | Beaton |
| 1966 (SG) | Mr & Mrs R.A. Symons, | Callignee |
| 1967 (WG) | Mr & Mrs T.D. Kelly | Meeniyan |
| 1968 (T) | J. Armit | Bindi |
| 1970 (A) | Kanangra Pastoral Company | Fernbank |
| 1972 | J.& A. Armit | Bindi |
| 1974 | J.G. Donaldson | Mossiface |
South Eastern Victorian Competition
Commenced in 1976 it comprised the Soil Conservation Districts centred on Bairnsdale, Warragul, Box Hill and Bacchus Marsh.
The 1976 winner was a property of 20.6ha making it the smallest farm ever to win a Hanslow Cup. The property was used for vegetable growing (potatoes, carrots, pumpkin and sweet corn) and cattle raising.
South Eastern Victoria Hanslow Cup Winners
| 1976 | A.R & E. E Latter | Emerald |
| 1980 | A.&S Kraif | Bamganie |
| 1982 | Landy Partnership | Walkerville |
Southern Competition
Commenced in 1962, the Southern area became the sixth Hanslow Cup Competition and was divided into four districts:
Moorabool (M) – Shires of Bacchus Marsh, Buninyong, Bannockburn, Ballan, Corio, Grenville, Leigh
Yarra (Y) – Shires of Altona, Berwick, Bulla, Cranbourne, Doncaster & Templestowe, Eltham, Ferntree Gully, Flinders, Frankston, Hastings, Healesville, Lillydale, Melton, Mornington, Phillip Island, Upper Yarra, Werribee, Whittlesea
Otway (O) – Shires of Hampden, Heytesbury, Otway, Colac, Winchelsea, Barrabool, Sth Barwon, Bellarine.
West Coast (WC) -Shires of Belfast, Minhamite, Mortlake, Portland, Warrnambool and Boroughs of Port Fairy and Koroit.
Southern Hanslow Cup Winners
| 1962 (M) | J.G. Stevenson | Lethbridge |
| 1963 (Y) | J.W. Payne | Woodstock |
| 1964 (O) | A.D. Peardon | Birregurra |
| 1965 (WC) | L.J. Croft | Hexham |
| 1966 (M) | I.D. McDonald & Son | Meredith |
| 1967 (Y) | H.G. Williams | Beveridge |
| 1968 (O) | J.G. Henderson | St Leonards |
| 1969 (WC) | N.P. Holmes | Hawkesdale |
| 1973 | G.J. Boyle | Corindhap |
| 1975 | E.K. Brown | Birregurra |
| 1983 | WM & JA Williams | Cooriemungle |
Hanslow Cup Post SCA
Following amalgamation in 1983, some competitions were continued in several regions until 1985 following which the new Department of Conservation Forests and Lands decided to place the Hanslow Cup Competition on hold pending a review of it and allied farm competitions. In 1990 the competition was revived in the Department of Conservation and Environment’s Benalla Region under the title “Hanslow-Hughes Award for Conservation Farming – in which a previous John F Hughes award for pest animal and weed control was combined with the historical Harold Hanslow soil conservation award.
The winner of the award was Mr and Mrs. Noel Cecil from Molyullah, east of Benalla.
Later, the Hanslow Cup was awarded as part of the Victorian Farm Management Awards conducted by the Department of Primary Industries and based around Catchment Management Authority regions.
In 1997 H.B Vanrenen & Sons of “Avoca Forest” Logan were winners of the North Central Region Competition, having previously won some 25 years previously in 1972.
Five of the Hanslow Cups are now on display at the State Government Office in Nicholson St, East Melbourne, while the sixth Cup is on display at the Swan Hill office.
Jack Gilmore Award
Jack Gilmore was a landowner and vice president of the Victorian Farmers Federation. He went on to become a Member of the Soil Conservation Authority from 1975 -1983 and died suddenly on duty in June 1983.
He was a key figure in recognising the need to save water, ensuring that the SCA took an active role in promoting water conservation.
His memory was to be perpetuated by the establishment of the “Jack Gilmore Farm Water Supply Memorial Trust” which was to provide an annual award for the best effort in harvesting and utilising on-farm water supplies.
It is not known if this award was ever made as a stand alone award, but it was at some stage incorporated into the Victorian Landcare Awards.
Victorian Landcare Awards
The Regional Sustainable Farming Award became an amalgamation of the Hanslow Cup, John F. Hughes Award and the Jack Gilmore Award. Winners of the regional awards become automatic finalists for the Rural Press Primary Producer Award.
John F Hughes was a member of the Central Advisory Committee for Vermin and Noxious Weeds and as a Chartered Accountant; he recognised the financial imperative to control pests and weeds. He was highly influential in raising awareness in this area and inspired many farmers to take an active role in pest control. He established the award in the 1960’s.
Dr Sidney Plowman Study and Travel Award
Sidney Plowman was dedicated to improving the quality of our environment. He served on the Lower Goulburn District Advisory Committee for 20 years.
This award was to be given to an employee of the Department of Sustainability and Environment, the Department of Primary Industries or a Victorian Catchment Management Authority who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution towards reversing land degradation in a primary production setting. To be known as the Plowman Award, it was to be used to enable an officer to travel to undertake further study in the area in which he/she has excelled.
In 1984 the first award was presented to Bill Clifford from Charlton. Other SCA winners have been Peter Berg, Geoff McFarlane and Jim Wood.
This award continues as part of the Victorian Landcare Awards.
SCA 