TitleMrGiven NamesJ RobertSurnameVickeryAlternative NameRobBiographyPresident Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales 2004 - 2008.
Robert (Rob) Vickery was raised in Tamworth and educated at King’s School, Parramatta. He became manager of the famed beef cattle station and feedlot, ‘Bective’, which was established by his grandfather, Jim Vickery, in 1929. He was executive chairman of Anvic Meat Exports, Wingham Abattoirs.
Actively involved with local organisations, Rob Vickery has been President of the Tamworth Polo Club, President of the Quirindi Polo Carnival Club, Vice-President of the Tamworth Picnic Race Club, and a committee member of the Tamworth Show Society.
Vickery was elected to Council in 1991. He served as steward-in-chief and on numerous committees including the Cattle, Horse, Veterinary, Meat Industries and Fine Foods Committees.
During Robert Vickery’s term as President, an outbreak of equine influenza in 2007 had a major impact on the horse fraternity and threatened cancellation of competition at the 2008 Show. However, by working closely with the Department of Primary Industries most events were able to proceed.
Addressing a perceived slip in public support for the Sydney Royal Easter Show and rural shows in general, was to be the biggest challenge of Vickery’s presidency. Budgets were tightened and new strategies evolved to keep the Show relevant and appealing to contemporary audiences. In 2007, under Vickery’s leadership, the RAS Foundation was also established. As a separate independent entity, generating its own support, the Foundation aimed to ‘build strong, vibrant regional communities by providing a range of grants and scholarships for education and community development’.
In July 2008 Rob Vickery resigned. He was made an honorary life member to Council in 2010 and an Honorary Councillor in October 2011.
