Australia Day honours to whiskey and wool leaders

A whisky maker and a sheep meat and irrigation stalwart are among three Tasmanians who have been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia today.

Scott Ashton-Jones received an AM for his significant service to the environment, to primary industry and to the community, Anthony Brown for his significant service to the museums and galleries sector, and William (Bill) Lark for significant service to the whiskey distilling industry.

Mr Lark, of Hobart, is considered “whisky royalty” after establishing the first Tasmanian whisky distillery in over 150 years and producing Australia’s first single malt whisky. A founding and life member of the Tasmanian Whisky and Spirits Association Mr Lark has been inducted into the Australian Distillers Association Hall of Fame, Australian Whisky Awards Hall of Fame and the Worldwide Whisky Awards Hall of Fame (UK). 

Using the best Tasmanian barley crops Lark Distilling Co. has led the way in establishing boutique distilleries in Tasmania and making award-winning single malt whiskey.

Mr Ashton-Jones, from Ouse, has followed in his father’s footsteps in receiving the award for service to primary industry. He has been chair of Meadowbank Irrigators' Group since 2021 and has managed many irrigators’ committees, irrigation schemes, dam construction projects and sat on the executive committees of a wide range of professional organisations such as the Tasmanian Rivers and Water Supply Commission, Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association Commodity Council and been a member of the National Farmers Federation Water Policy Committee. 

The Principal Manager of Ashton Pty Ltd family rural holdings since 1976, he’s also served with the Wool Council of Australia, Tasmanian Meat Industry Advisory Council, Australian Wool Industry Policy Council, Sheep Meat Council of Australia, Meat and Livestock Australia and in his local community he is a member of the Ouse Rural Fire Brigade (since 1976) and a member of the Hamilton District Agricultural Society (president, 1995-1997).

Tas Country congratulates these two exceptional examples of primary producers and industry leaders at local, national and international level.

Read more about their significant contributions in the next print edition on Friday.