Mobile signage spreads the word

Some say a picture paints a thousand words but for Torbay farmer Matthew Swainston, the words on his truck are doing all the talking.

The 57-year-old has more than 30 years farming experience and transports grain, fertiliser and lime across agricultural areas of WA.

Since November, his truck has been a moving billboard for a lobby group he is passionate about — the WA Farmers Federation.

Mr Swainston was inspired to have his cab and trailers covered with slogans in a bid to boost membership and strengthen the organisation’s influence.

“I want to bring awareness and promote the WA Farmers Federation to individual farmers to recognise the importance of having an organisation that is prepared to lobby State and Federal governments on their behalf,” he said.

“To the WA Government a farmer is just an individual, just one voice, but if you are united you have a louder voice.”

WA Farmers Albany zone president Lyn Slade said Mr Swainston’s initiative was impressive.

“I think it’s fantastic that a farmer like Matthew is so passionate about the need for agriculture to have strong and effective representation,” she said.

“He’s putting his money where his mouth is and demonstrating his total commitment to agriculture.

“As farmers we are responsible for our own industry, if we don’t stand up for it no one else will.”

Ms Slade said he hoped Mr Swainston’s truck would encourage other farmers to think beyond their own farm boundaries and recognise that a lot of their input is needed into decisions that affect the industry.

Mr Swainston said he has had a positive response to his mobile advertising campaign.