The NSW Sugar industry is in mourning following the tragic death of Pimlico cane farmer Wayne Rodgers
over the weekend.
Wayne was an active Director on the Board of the NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative and Chairman of the
Agricultural Advisory Committee. He has also served on the Richmond River Cane Growers Association
and NSW Cane Growers.
Sunshine Sugar CEO and personal friend, Mr Chris Connors said; “It is with the heaviest of hearts we have
to farewell one of our own. Wayne was a shining light in our industry and will be deeply missed.”
Wayne and his brother Craig along with their families have a long and distinguished association with the
NSW sugar industry as growers, leaders and innovators.
Wayne will be remembered as a gentle giant of the cane growing community. He was a big man with big
ideas, big tractors, yet at the same time he was a thoughtful and caring person with the biggest of hearts.
“In the twelve years I have known him since I came down from Queensland, he rang me nearly every week
‘just to make sure I hadn’t gone back over the border’. It was his way of making sure everything was okay.
It reflects the considerate and positive attitude he had.”
It didn’t matter what forum you were in; Wayne’s glowing smile would light up the room.
Wayne and his wife Leanne brought up two great kids, James and Taylor, and our hearts go out to them in
this devastating time. He was so proud of the kids and rightly so.
It’s not often you meet someone like Wayne and the only response at a time like this is to – remember the
man and look to the future with the same great attitude he had – that’s what he would want