CLIFF Armstrong, the Orange grower declared a "legend" by fellow-district fruit producers and the current owner of "Doocarrick Orchard" (see story above, and pictured), has been very busy on the property since he was 16 but has also made a substantial contribution to the local community and the wider fruit industry.
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Mr Armstrong, aside from being the chairman of the Australian National Field Days (a position his son Robert Armstrong - also a local orchardist - now holds), also became extensively involved in the industry.
He had spent a total of 20 years on the Australian National Field Days committee in various roles including the orchard, ground and then overall chairman of the committee.
His wife, Yvonne, said following Cliff's tenure as chairman, he represented the NSW Farmers fruit section, and then spent three years as the elected NSW representative of the National Apple and Pear Association.
"During his time with the national body, new varieties of apples were being planted, and he was concerned some varieties were not suitable in some districts," Mrs Armstrong said.
"He fought long and hard to the other representatives in Australia, and travelled to many fruit growing areas at his own expense to convince the growers on what he thought the industry required."
Cliff was also involved in setting up the Australian Fruit Improvement Program Limited in 1996.
"This program started to plant the new varieties in all apple producing districts, and to evaluate what varieties grew best in each district," she said.
"This program is still in progress and helps provide industry with financial assistance."
He later established the Orange Export Fruit Co-Operative.
Mrs Armstrong said Cliff had devoted his life to the apple industry, and is now the oldest working orchardist in Orange.