Forests and football are linked in the awarding of the Medal of the Order of Australia on Monday to Barry Fagg, a director of the Faggs Mitre 10 chain in Victoria and a lifetime supporter of the Geelong Aussie Rules Club.
The OAM recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement, providing an opportunity to honour select individuals for their hard work and dedication.
Barry and his brother Keith managed and developed their family business, Fagg’s Mitre 10, from 1980 for more than three decades, before the business became a joint venture company in 2012. They are strong supporters of the Victorian forest industry, supplying Faggs is the eighth oldest family business in Australia, and it is still part owned by a direct descendant of one of its founders Samuel Fagg
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed the Cats, competes in the Australian Football League, the sport’s premier competition. The club, formed in 1859, is the second oldest AFL side after Melbourne and one of the oldest football clubs in the world. Barry Fagg joined the club board in 2020 and was appointed a club director.
Barry’s impact has stretched to all corners of his local community, including his work with Anam Cara House Geelong as an Ambassador. He also served as president and campaign director of Give Where You Live, was the inaugural director of the Geelong Community Foundation, along with stints at the Geelong Art Gallery and Geelong College School Council.
The OAM is well deserved recognition for Barry who was previously awarded Centenary of Federation Medal (2001) and the Geelong’s annual Leadership Award (2012).
Faggs Mitre 10 is a respected long-time member of the National Timber & Hardware Association (NTHA) which represents more than 700 members across Australia from the timber, hardware, and building materials industries. The association was created after the successful merger of the Timber and Building Materials Association (TABMA) and Hardware Australia in March 2023.
