Trevor Badger: WA farming community pays tribute for Pingrup farmer after tragic light plane crash

WA’s farming community is reeling from the shock death of a Pingrup farmer and former long-time CBH board member in a horror light plane crash yesterday. Trevor Badger died after the plane he was flying crashed in a paddock just off Nyabing-Pingrup Road around 2.30pm on Saturday. Investigators are at the site today trying to determine the cause of the crash. Farmers and industry leaders have expressed their grief at the “devastating loss” of the 55-year-old grain and sheep farmer. Shire of Kent president Scott Crosby — who farms at Nyabing, about 30 minutes away from Pingrup — said Mr Badger’s death would have a long lasting impact. He said while farmers in the area should be feeling buoyant after 8mm of rain fell on their overnight, they were instead feeling devastated and “very flat” after losing one of their own. “This is a huge shock and everyone I have spoken to is extremely flat. To lose a valuable community member that was only in his 50s has a big impact,” he said. “Trevor was a very community-minded man who was always trying to do his best for the community and his fellow farmers. “He still had a lot of his life to live.” Mr Crosby said Mr Badger had sparked his own burgeoning interest in agripolitics, and the pair would have many robust discussions about the industry. “He really fought and was vocal for what he believed in,” Mr Crosby said. “That’s why he was a director at CBH — because he was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in. But he could also understand there were more sides to an argument than just his own.” WAFarmers chief executive Trevor Whittington said there were “some characters you just couldn’t imagine not being around” — and his friend “Badge” was one of them. He first met Mr Badger as a 13-year-old when the pair started boarding school at Christ Church Grammar. In their adult years, after graduating together in 1983, they remained close friends and confidants. A school prefect and boarding captain, Mr Badger excelled on the athletics track and in the classroom. Mr Whittington recalled fondly his friend’s incredible laugh, intelligence, and ability to make and maintain both professional networks and friendships. “He had a fabulous laugh... some people have an easy laugh, and he was certainly one of them,” Mr Whittington said. “Trevor was also incredibly bright. He was very articulate and could run a good case — that sort of personality was of great value to the agriculture industry. “He had the whole trifecta — he was an academic and a natural athlete, and he was a natural leader of people. He was the all-round Australian boy. “In a shrinking community of farmers it is a devastating loss to lose someone like Trevor. “But the extraordinary thing about him was his networks, and his friendships. He would relentlessly make an effort to call people and stay in touch.” CBH chair Simon Stead said the co-operative as a whole was “shocked and saddened” to hear of Mr Badger’s death. “Our sincere condolences go to Trevor’s wife Deb and their family,” he said. “Our thoughts are with them at this very sad time.” Bruce Rock farmers’ son Lachie Hunter would regularly speak with Mr Badger when working for former Federal Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie, describing him as a “no-nonsense and intelligent farmer” whose advice he sought on many occasions. “I would often phone Trevor to seek his views on significant proposals to ‘ground truth’ matters. As always, Trevor was frank, fulsome and fearless in his advice,” he said. “I was never left wondering and advice given was always in the best interests of growers. “He was a no-nonsense, practical and intelligent farmer that contributed significantly to WA agriculture over a long period of time. His passion and absence will be sorely missed.”