Liberals
FLOORED: The Victorian Farmers Federation runs off rails under Ramsay
The political ambitions of the President of the Victorian Farmers Federation Simon Ramsay could be sinking under the weight of the internally troubled organisation according to Liberal insiders. So desperate is their financial situation they are selling up their Paris-end Collins Street building and significant staff redundancies are expected too.
THE CANDIDATE WITH MORE BAGGAGE THAN LOUIS VUITTON
Ramsay is a candidate in the looming Liberal Party preselection in Corangamite and some believe the VFF’s troubles have done much to undermine his credibility as a candidate. He has also indicated an interest in running for state marginal seat of South Barwon, if he misses out in Corangamite. The ambitious chap has a fall-back plan too, contemplating taking on the Presidency of the National Farmers Federation when his term as Victorian President expires.
Party insiders say if he can’t govern the VFF he has no business governing the nation or taking on further responsibilities until he’s honestly accounted for the debacle he has presided over. “He should withdraw to focus on apologising to farmers for the VFF debacle,” one concerned Liberal told VEXNEWS.
RUBBERY FIGURES
Insiders speaking on condition of anonymity say that the VFF has lurched from crisis to crisis under Ramsay’s leadership and that while they still claim 20,000 financial members in Federation propaganda that the real number is closer to 5000.
Insiders have told VEXNEWS they are gravely concerned about the financial future of the organisation.
They say that Ramsay – a blue-blood who inherited a vast rural estate in western Victoria – has struggled with the basics of running the increasingly dysfunctional organisation.
CREAMY SIMON – RICH & THICK
Certainly, the English language isn’t a strong suit of the gentleman farmer, as one email sent to a member that did the rounds of VFF circles demonstrates.
In the email sent last year, Ramsay concedes a process to be “floored” and appears not to use the word “retribution” in the normal way. Some of his members would like some according to those familiar with the matter.
VEXNEWS understands that the 2008/09 financial statements and annual report have been delayed and are several weeks overdue with regulator ASIC.
Without a steady flow of government grants and sponsorship, some believe the Collins Street based organisation would be unsustainable because of the massive number of members who have walked away from the VFF.
LET’S BOUNCE
In one particularly embarrassing incident, which insiders say is not an isolated one, a VFF cheque paid to a service provider bounced. This caused considerable consternation in VFF circles and prompted some to question whether the organisation was able to pay its debts when they were due and payable. While its asset rich, some dispute whether it’s well managed.
Insiders have complained to VEXNEWS that this is just a symbol of the massive failure in corporate governance in the organisation.
They say there’s no accountability, inadequate democracy and that those members impertinent enough to ask questions are labelled “dissidents” and “trouble-makers” who are then excluded completely by the ruling clique.
They say that officially adopted and carefully considered policies are frequently ignored by Simon Ramsay and the VFF CEO Wayne Harvey if they don’t suit their current political agenda.
MEMORIES
Long-time VEXNEWS and OC readers will recall former Liberal staffer Brendan Rowswell because of his involvement in several controversies involving everything from sexually inappropriate behaviour to anti-semitism. We hoped he’d grow out of these unpleasant excesses.
We had hoped Rowswell would live long and prosper without warranting further attention from our investigations unit. He went on from being an electorate officer to the Publicity Officer in the VFF.
Sadly, we are advised that he has continued his involvement with conduct likely to get him into trouble. Office insiders say that he has been accused of acting in a manner more consistent with a “frat house” than an office though we are not able at this time to provide details on the incidents for legal reasons.
Some believe that he uses his personal computer in a manner that the Victorian Ombudsman would frown on, given his enthusiasm for erotica in the workplace.
Also busy on the computers – we are told – is the CFO of the organisation who – legend has it – frequently stays late after work to entertain himself by reading office emails.
Legal experts familiar with this say there are competing views about whether employers are legally permitted to read staff emails in this way. But ethically it’s not the nicest thing to be doing and we like to think the moral power of VEXNEWS will persuade him to stop it before he goes blind.
NOT PITCHING IN HIMSELF
Also worrying insiders is that membership dues of the VFF are on a sliding scale, from around $385 per annum with extra payments for those with large properties. President Simon Ramsay has such a large property and yet is thought by some to pay only the lowest possible fee. Ramsay agri-business empire even extends to providing your correspondent indirectly with the lamb chops we occasionally purchase from our local Safeway. We think the gentleman investor farmer he can probably afford to kick in extra.
Developing… watch out for Part 2 of our special investigation into the Victorian Farmers Federation tomorrow.
Discussion
43 comments for “FLOORED: The Victorian Farmers Federation runs off rails under Ramsay”
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What a rubbish story, nothing in here is linked or makes sense- BORING!
Good work, again, Andrew. Ramsay’s sucking-up to Government is another banal case of opportunism. Lucky for him our farmers are as supine as our unionists, small retailers, voters, … And the Lib’s deserve him perfectly. But, most seriously, the betrayal of farmers is having many tragic consequences, country and city, not to mention far-reaching economic ones.
BORING
I am so glad my supporters fed that story into Vexnews. Who said leakign does not pay.
And Rowswell just got elected to the Liberal State Assembly…
Ramsay is a disgrace
wrong Rowswell knackers.
wrong Rowswell knackers.
Sorry… forgot to say great post – can’t wait to read your next one!
Which fellow candidate for Corangamite ordered this hit I wonder? Ramsey’s obviously doing something right if he’s got his opponents so scared that they feel the need to resort to this level of baseless muck-raking to shift the focus away from their own inadequacies. Maybe it’s all that great media he’s been getting lately. Or just a futile attempt by one of his competitors to deflect attention away from their own ineptitude.
Can anyone say Simon Price?
Did anyone say Simon Price?
Nockles has Corangamite sewn up. The locals love him and he has the support of the Kroger faction.
No wonder no-one puts their name to this rubbish. Riddled with inaccuracies from start to finish.
Shame to let the facts get in your way.
Ramsay’s passion and commitment for Victoria’s farmers could never be questioned.
Any got some gum boots, there is a Ram here and I’ve got a hard on.
Simon, hold the ram. I’ll get it on you tube and upload it to my space.
Wow, I was going to vote for Ramsay, but now I know he once made a spelling mistake, I’ve changed my mind.
Did someone say “ram”?
The real story is how someone of such star quality as Rod Nockles is going to loose the preselection for Corangamite.
He is a loyal servant of the party for 25 years……..
but he struggles to get along with people and is unable to bring the members together and show leadership.
Will he remain a loyal servant of the party for another 25 years ?
Also, it is clear that this story has not been researched in the slightest. Disappointing Andrew. For starters, Ramsay’s chops are bought from Coles, not Safeway. The sale of Farrer house has been on the horizon for a long time.
The VFF’s membership woes have been well documented in the Weekly Times and Ramsay has taken action launching a membership drive. It is hardly surprising that during a period of extended drought membership has fallen. The VFF continues to support farmers and lobbies on their behalf at all levels of Government. Ramsay has been 100% committed to the VFF since his presidency began and would show the same commitment to his further endeavours. Anyone who says otherwise clearly does not know him, or understand the intracacies involved in running the VFF.
This story is a farse and is a lazy attempt at a political jibe. Simon Ramsay has proven himself to be a dedicated leader in challenging times. Just the sort that would go well in parliament. There is nothing in this but assumptions and lies
I am loyal
I love ringing up old ladies and telling them how good I am and when they dont listen I tell them they must vote for me.
I am loyal.
A loyal servant of the Kroger er Costello er any faction that will get me a seat …er anywhere really.
+
What do i have to do,to say, to win!
I am a loyal sevant.
As Stewart MacArthur and Mal Fraser would testify, Corangamite is the rightful property of the Western District Squattocracy.
Those aspirational Waurn Ponds oiks need to be lorded over by a remote party hack with no connection to the community.
Now, if only that Cheeseman chap had spent a few years boarding at Grammar, he’d be a perfect fit.
The Cheese has the seat in the bag. The good folk of Corangamite love him. Expect a massive 3% margin in the Cheese’s favour in 2010.
That’s right Arther, hopefully the Cheese won’t get lost travelling between Ballarat and Geelong.
I’ve loved him ever since Centre Bet paid out at $1.80 for him to win in ‘07.
What’s happening in Kooyong?
Deakin (Phil Barresi) and Corangamite (Rod Nockles) are dead rubbers.
So how is Joshy going against the front-runner, John Pesutto?
blame walsh and weller for the mess not the libs
The article is basically correct in its direction but a some details are wrong.
VFF has around 10,000 farm businesses and around 15,000 nominees, as well as associate members. Membership fees include levies and subscriptions. The figure in the accounts does not include GST, so the division is wrong.
However Simon certainly has such ambitions. Prime Minister is/was his aim.
He does have a 12,000 hectare property in the Western District and his family is one of the 3 owners of CRF. This is public information.
As for his ability, the voters will decide.
Ramsay may well make it the final round of voting, but in a two way contest between Nockles and Ramsay, Nockles will win.
Nocky often dined with me and McPerton. He must be a nice chap, as he laughed at Victor’s jokes.
Anonski you are way off.
The Bev Macarthur candidate will win Corangamite. Not Knockles.
And Deakin is not a dead rubber. Dee is a very good candidate she won a scholarship and Phil is a has been who has been rejected by the people.
The Cheese will breeze on home. Epsteins Mother, you need to pick your winners early, i got $2.75 on the Cheese. Still , good on ya for pick’un a winner. Many voters now wondering why they voted for silly Stewy for all those years. Funny how the opposition think the Cheese win was an aberation. Like i said earlier 3% in his favour next election. Get those bets on. They love him in Coragimite.
The author has good inside contacts. Consider the facts: Ramsay takes over Presidency of VFF Livestock group with good membership and staff of 5. Under his leadership membership falls dramatically, Livestock staff now number 2, and their finances are in taters – nice work!
He’s about to leave the VFF Presidency with a similar legacy, significantly declining membership, disastrous finances, staff reduced and about to be slashed further through redundancies, elected officials about to loose expense reimbursement entitlements (that’ll attract high quality candidates in future won’t it – not!) – nice work, again!
So, a full time President, full time CEO for about 40 staff, someone to manage commodity group managers, commodity group managers …. and …. well, not many Indians to do the work. The place is full of Chiefs – an organisation structure endorsed by Ramsay as President, hmmmm, not a great track record! Where’s the plan? Oh, that’s right, sell the building, that’ll fix things won’t it. Members rejected this last year on the basis it’s not a solution, seems Ramsay and Harvey are slow learners.
This mob’s so up to date with issues that they have an org chart on their website listing over a dozen ‘staff’ who left the place up to 3 years ago! And as for that guy reading staff emails – what a pathetic individual, you have to wonder why it’s tolerated, you’ve got to feel sorry for the poor souls working in that environment.
Outside
tsk tsk
dont worry between you and me we are going to Nock off Ramsay.
I am glad you followed the script that we worked on. Great lines, sounds like you really know what to say!
Nothing like a preselection to bring Nockers out
Not surprising to see Fat Frank and Nasty Kerri blogging rubbish from the VFF’s caravan in East Gippsland. Frank and Kerri have been running down the VFF for years and are upset that Ramsay crushed their ring of corruption in Bairnsdale. If they spent more time standing up for the rights of farmers like Ramsay and less time lining their own pockets with funds meant for victims of floods and bushfires maybe they would be respected.
Not surprising to see Fat Frank and Ugly Kerri blogging rubbish from the caravan they stole from the VFF in East Gippsland.
Frank and Kerri have been running down the VFF for years and are upset that Ramsay and Harvey crushed their ring of corruption in Bairnsdale.
If they spent more time standing up for the rights of farmers, like Ramsay and the VFF, and less time lining their pockets with funds meant for victims of bushfires and floods maybe they would be respected.
And in the end, you may all be surprised.
It seems that there is a young rising star running for the seat of Corangamite, so all of these ridiculous efforts aimed unnessarily trying to tarnish Simon R’s reputation are nothing more than misplaced juvenile schoolyard style bullying.
Get a life, and a real profile whoever is responsible for delivering this rubbish to vex news. Try to win on your own strengths rather than the sick fiction you create about your opponents.
Whoever is responsbile for this and the latest story must really be aware of what a bigtime loser they are, and what little hope they have of winning. Clap Clap for the socially handicapped low life leaker.
Embrace a young new generation candidate who is removed from all of this and represents a departure from this skulduggery.
The source of the leaks against Ramsay is a candidate for Corangamite, but it is not Nockles.
I’d just like to know who the author of this article is? I dont think I’ve read something that reeked more strongly of propaganda. You would put Stalin to shame. VexNews should make their authors public knowledge so they can stand up and take responsibility for their words, or at least the law-suit for libel that they would be receiving. I hope people aren’t so ignorant to believe this nonsense.
Nockles will win
Nockles will make a great MP and an excellent Minsiter in a future Liberal Government.
It’s pretty clear who the leaker of this “story” is; Frank O’Connor and Kerri Easton. These are two overweight and disgruntled VFF members from Bairnsdale.
Their reputation has been shot to ribbons after they were caught red-handed pocketing money and goods donated to the 2007 Gippsland flood victims. The lowest act imaginable. A donated caravan currently sits in Frank and Kerri’s holiday house, 3 years on from the floods. They no longer have any credibility within the VFF, State Government or their local community.
Amazingly Frank and Kerri sniffed out a fat contract with the State Government to complete a “consultants” report into flood recovery measures. The resulting report left Department of Primary Industries staff in disbelief that tax-payers funds could be spent on such a pile of trash. The report now sits in the DPI’s filing cabinet filed under “B” for “Brendan Fevola could have produced a more coherent piece”.
Simon Ramsay finally blew the whistle on these two crims and we can only assume this piece is their revenge. Good luck to them. But attacking the organizations staff is despicable. The VFF should now renounce these clown’s membership.
Is this comment defamatory? Does VexNews have a policy on defamatory comments?
Does VexNews have a policy on defamatory comments?
Ha!
In Victorian law the truth is a defense against defamation.