Last Thursday night at the Southside Leagues Club the 92-year-old was rewarded for his dedication to the community when NSW Farmers’ Association president Fiona Simson presented the long-serving member with a prestigious medal of honour. 

“Roy has served his community far beyond expectations,” Ms Simson said. 

“He is admired for his dedication to the Griffith community.” 

A humble Mr Stacy said it was a big surprise and a great honour.

“I just love doing my bit for the community. I’ve got the time and this community has been good to my family. I’m happy to put back into it,” he said.

Mr Stacy, who joined the RAAF and served in World War II, took up a job at the Yanco research centre on returning from war duties.

He worked on the experimental station for 15 years.

In 1961, Mr Stacy was granted a returned servicemen’s farm block south of Griffith known as the Kooba blocks in the Willbriggie area.

The blocks had access to irrigation water, but were in their natural state, undeveloped.

“As with everything else he does, Roy worked hard to improve this arid land and make a living,” Ms Simson said.

“Working from scratch with very small tractors with no cabins and very small implements made it tough going.

“Roy, as did others, soon realised that they needed a representative farm group to voice their concerns and seek help with farm-related issues relative to farm and family and, in that same year, he became secretary of 

the Willbriggie Branch of 

the organisation then known as the Farmers’ and Settlers’ Association of NSW.”

Not only has he been an active member, but it is thought that Mr Stacy has held an executive position of each respective local farming group ever since he started farming in 1961. 

Mr Stacy has held the secretary’s position of Griffith Branch and District Council since closure of the Willbriggie Branch in the mid 1970s and continues to do so today.

He is also still technically secretary/treasurer of Region 9.

For many years Mr Stacy attended the annual conference as a delegate. 

He actively serves with the Rural Fire Service and is also secretary of the Kooba Bushfire Brigade, a member of the local tourism organisation, State Forestry, National Parks and Wildlife and – the real love of his life – the local Returned and Services League (RSL).

Mr Stacy was rapt to receive the award. 

“It was a great honour and it was a big surprise,” Mr Stacy said.

“I love what I’m doing.”