The Association was formed in 1984 at a public meeting held at Wally and Audrey Porter’s at Wiseleigh on March 25^th. Wally and Audrey had been working with Bill Mollison in Tasmania and had recently moved to East Gippsland. They wanted to start an organic group to promote organic gardening and farming in the community. About 20 adults and a lot of children came to the first meeting and a committee was formed. The first field day was held at Porter’s in April that year, attracting over 100 people, which amazed the new committee. Some of the original aims are just being realised now – particularly to develop an information centre.

The first newsletter was produced in March 1985, named East Gippsland Association of Organic Agriculture Newsletter (subsequently Newsletter became News, and the organisation changed its name to East Gippsland Organic Agriculture Association). Early activities centred around field days, which were frequent and well attended. Some of the topics in 1985 were herbal compost, propagation, no-dig gardening and Keyline farming. The Association started selling books 1985 with two titles listed (there are now over 200), and collecting information that eventually became part of the library.

The first newsletter was produced in March 1985, named East Gippsland Association of Organic Agriculture Newsletter (subsequently Newsletter became News, and the organisation changed its name to East Gippsland Organic Agriculture Association). The newsletter was renamed Seedbed (after one edition called Stinking Roger to stimulate thought on a more suitable name). The Association was incorporated. East Gippsland and South Gippsland organic groups, were absorbed into EGOAA.

In 1988 Wally Porter started an organic gardening and farming course at Bairnsdale Adult Community Education. That same year Wally became co-ordinator of organic inspections for eastern Victoria for the Victorian Council for Sustainable Agriculture which carried out NASAA inspections. Wally and Don Francis of Geelong did the first organic inspection in Victoria, at Wandin East.

Grow Organic 89 was the largest in our 20 year history, with 260 people attending. A Dandenong Rangers organic group was formed by people who attended from that area. Field days, which had received less attention in 1988 were reinvigorated, with up to 100 people coming to some. The seedbank was established, operated by Neil Barraclough and Peter Mowbray – this still continues out of the Organic Information and Resource Centre in Bairnsdale. Life membership of the Association was awarded to Wally and Audrey Porter for their tremendous contributions and enthusiasm.

In 1990 Bill Hankin became Chairperson of EGOAA and Geoff Sharpe secretary. Robyn Grant took over as publicity officer, a job she has managed with great skill ever since. Interest increased in heritage fruits and vegetables and this activity was vigorously pursued by EGOAA members for the next 5 years. The first apple grafting day was held at Neil’s place at Briagolong.

EGOAA decided to offer a scholarship for a local person to study organic agriculture at tertiary level. Alan Broughton was the first successful applicant and completed the course in 1997 and 1998. Kathy Cogo followed in 1999.

Arrangements with East Gippsland TAFE to commence the organic farming course failed, as EGIT was unable to secure funding. Fortunately Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE decided to run with it instead, to commence in 2001.

The Organic Information and Resource Centre was launched at 25 Princes Highway, Bairnsdale, by Peter McGauran, MHR, on February 12^th 2001. The building was provided by Gayle Timms and Scott Miller. Willing Workers on Organic Farms donated $2000 to purchase books for the library. The organic farming course started as Certificate 3 with about 30 students, which increased as the year passed.

The Association formally changed its name from East Gippsland Organic Agriculture Association to Organic Agriculture Association to reflect the fact that members and activities are no longer confined to East Gippsland.

The Organic Information and Resource Centre moved to 307 Main Street Bairnsdale in August 2003, then in December to the Fuchsia Wing, 14 McKean St (in the former East Gippsland Centre for Extended Care). Farmer’s markets started in Bairnsdale, Sale and Tyers during the year, providing a boost to organic and other producers. The Association assisted with the establishment of the Bairnsdale farmer’s market.

The Association is run by a small group of dedicated people and has a reputation nationally for its dynamic and sustained activities. It has been a leader in several fields:

Organic seminars and field days, which have started many organic farmers and leaders of the organic movement nationally developing the organic standards heritage fruits preservation program organic book selling the first organic information and resource centre in Australia and now organic education.

It is a proud history of endeavour and achievement. May the next 20 years be as productive.