Ron Dodds

About Ron Dodds

Ron Dodds was born at Nhill, Victoria in 1946, the second son of Cliff and Margaret Dodds. He, and his four siblings were raised on their family farm at Perenna, thirty-two kilometres north of Nhill.

He was educated at the small single teacher Perenna State School, which was adjacent to their farm, then to High School at Nhill, completing his matriculation in 1963.

Upon leaving school he joined his elder brother Ken in 1964 on the family farm, thus commencing a career in agriculture that lasted until 2000. Ron was joined on the farm by his wife Mary upon their marriage in 1970.

While not progressing to tertiary education, Ron had a strong interest in scientific research and its application to the fast-changing farming scene at the time. The family partnership were early adopters of many new practices in agriculture, and his interest led him to several bodies external to the farm which were dedicated to the adoption of new technology. This included The Wheat Research Foundation of Victoria (Chair), The Victorian Institute for Dryland Agriculture Advisory Committee (Chair), the Wimmera Conservation Farming Association, and the West Wimmera Farm Tree Group.

Rons interests did extend beyond this technical realm – to just being part of his community and all that involved. Particularly local sport, but also to enjoying living in a rural community and the lifestyle that afforded. Like he and his siblings before him, Ron and Mary’s three children Lisa, Russell and Scott were all raised in that rural setting.

Rons interests external to the farm, and his interest in nature, did lead him in a different direction, joining the non-government conservation organisation Greening Australia in 1993. This eventually led to his leaving his place of birth at Perenna after fifty-four years. Ron commenced this work as a part time facilitator in the Wimmera, but extended to a regional management role, and then statewide, culminating in the role of Victorian State Manager, the position he held at the time of his retirement in 2013.

This is a memoir that reflects on the author’s life growing up on a farm at Perenna, north of Nhill in the Wimmera District of Victoria. It focuses on family heritage, farming practices, and community life from the 1950s to the early 2000s, offering personal anecdotes and insights into changes in agriculture and rural society over the decades.

The key theme of the book is the transformation of rural life and farming practices, as experienced by the author during his 54 years at Perenna. ​ It explores the evolution of agricultural methods, the impact of environmental changes, and the decline of rural communities, while celebrating the resilience, optimism, and adaptability of farming families. Additionally, the book emphasizes nostalgia and the preservation of rural heritage, focusing on the memories, traditions, and lifestyle of farming communities during the early to mid-20th century. It highlights the importance of preserving family heritage, understanding the natural environment, and embracing change, while reflecting on the joys and challenges of rural life, the significance of community, and the enduring connection to the land. ​

In the words of Ruth McLeod, a fellow former student at Perenna State School (closed, and then dismantled in 1976), “South of the Netting Fence’ is a treasury:  Family history, farming developments and life in a ‘community that was’ are interwoven and upheld with good heartedness and an open love of country. It will be a conversation starter among his contemporaries. Dodds’ descendants and younger readers have the opportunity to learn about the ’olden days’. Farmers, environmentalists, sports enthusiasts and all who enjoy a ripping yarn will marvel at Ron’s commitment and knowledge.”

Borrow South of the Netting Fence with your library card here!