TitleMrGiven NamesMichael JohnSurnameMillnerBiographyPresident Royal Agricultural Society of NSW 2020-2023.
Michael Millner was appointed to the presidency of the RAS at a stressful time in the Society’s history, taking on the role as the world plunged into the difficulties and uncertainties of the Covid 19 pandemic and in a year, in which the Royal Easter Show was cancelled for the first time since World War II.
Michael had broad experience in the investment industry, working on public company boards and in the operations of the family Charolais cattle stud and properties at Blayney, Dubbo and Coonamble – giving him a deep insight into the interplay between the city and country and the role of the RAS in bridging that divide.
When he was elected to the RAS Council in 1995, planning was already underway for the Society’s historic move from Moore Park to Sydney Olympic Park.
Over the next two decades he worked hard in various RAS roles including as Chairman of the Cattle Committee, Chairman of the RAS Foundation and as the Society’s Vice President since 2017.
Michael strongly promoted the core strategies of the RAS, working to make a difference in people's lives through the competitions, education programs and the scholarships and grants handed out by the RAS Foundation.
In 2021 Michael oversaw the successful post-Covid return of the Royal Easter Show with a wide range of Covid safety restrictions in place, including a 60,000 daily visitor cap. Representatives from major agricultural societies around Australia and overseas, were impressed to see how such numbers could be processed through the gates, with systems in place to ensure strict Covid compliance.
In 2022 with a planned series of events, competitions and special celebrations, the Society celebrated its 200th anniversary. In the foreword to the Society’s newly published commemorative history book ‘Sydney Royal 1822-2022’ President Michael Millner proudly noted, ‘The RAS operates with a clear vision for a community that understands and values sustainable Australian agriculture and award-quality produce, a natural progression from our initial charter two hundred years ago – to band together and help each other through the challenges of crops and farming in a new environment. As we mark the anniversary of our establishment on 5 July 2022 it is important to understand how and why we came into existence and honour our role as guardian for the agricultural heritage of NSW.’
