ARCHARD, Stanley Alexander A.M.

Our condolences to the Archard family on Stan’s passing. One man had the vision which resulted in the change in irrigation farming across all Australia for better. We will always be indebted to Stan’s vision.

To
Lyndell, Brendan Steve, and the families of Daryl and Wayne, on behalf of Denise and the Fehring family, we offer our condolences and deepest sympathy for the passing of Stanley Alexander Archibald AM.
Quotation
There are no office hours for leaders, James Cardinal Gibbons
It’s difficult to know where to start when you consider Stan’s life: his journey of achievement, the creation of his caring family, his contribution to agriculture, and his role as a teacher about the local environment in which we live.
Being an elder in the Archard family, in many ways, groomed Stan for his leadership role, which began at a very early age. I first heard about Stan when he was a shearer, developing a shearing business that travelled far and wide across the countryside. He then took on a little cropping and continually returned to the need to improve irrigation.
Local and Australian irrigators owe so much to Stan for having the vision to identify technologies that could be adapted to improve irrigation layout, efficient water use, and labour-saving methods on the irrigation farm.
The major one of these was the importation of early concepts for laser levelling devices from the USA. This was somewhat difficult, as Stan came up against importation rules and the protection of the so-called laser system in Australia, which was completely unsuitable.
Quotation
My life is the University. I hope to graduate with some distinction, Louise May Alcott.
Having achieved this breakthrough, Stan realised what others had long recognised, that well-designed farm planning was a key component of the new technology’s use. Stan also became involved in developing and improving the existing land grader, or what we would call a carry grader scoops these days. Because of Stan’s foresight and courage in adopting this new approach, it unleashed an irrigation design, planning, and land-forming industry right across the Australian countryside.
Stam was never afraid to be provocative in his thinking and vision, which made for the most interesting discussions for anyone participating and prepared to listen. Almost always, Stam created new directions and concepts. This led to the use of a polythene pipe as a complete replacement for channels for efficient water delivery to the land. As many a farmer would attest, when he visited the farm to discuss the irrigation layout, he certainly put forward ideas and concepts that seemed radical. In his own way, he set out to convince people that this was the future and that the benefits would be many. The evidence is now for everybody to see how successful Stan’s vision and concepts are today. Our irrigation farm was one.
Stan certainly did understand University life, graduating with high distinction and honours.
Stan and his beloved Edie created a family of enterprising people. Stan and Edie gave them the support and encouragement to be themselves and to take on the opportunities and challenges that came their way. He also gave opportunities to many others who will forever be grateful for his insight and vision. Stan is very proud of his family and their achievements in many areas.
As we all go along our life’s journey, we judge in many ways, for achievements, the wealth created, the title one might hold, etcetera None of these really matter, because it’s the people you meet on that journey of life who give personal enrichment and meaning. Whether you meet Stan for a short time or have the privilege of many conversations, you always come away feeling much more enriched and confident in yourself.
We are thankful that Stan has put all his thoughts, ideas, and concepts into a book entitled Everybody Knows Stan. With the help of his nephew, Colin Archard, he has left a record of his life of high achievement, in many ways, as something that Stan would have considered somewhat ordinary. That’s how Stan was.
I came across this set of words on a piece of machinery, which, in many ways, says it all.
I expect to pass through this world, but once
Any good, therefore, that I can do
Or any kindness that I can show
Let me do it now
Let me not defer or neglect for
I shall not pass this way again

As we all say farewell to Stan, you leave us with so many memories to cherish for having the privilege of knowing you.
The Archard family has so much to be proud of for his contribution to his family and to us all in so many ways.
Life race well run
Live’s work well done
Life’s victory one
Now cometh rest
E H Parker
Stan, you’ll always be remembered and never forgotten. Thank you for your guidance, your contribution to the broader community, and your friendship with all.

Max & Denise Fehring.

Condolences to the Archard family. I worked alongside Stan over several decades in my work on salinity plans and later Gunbower Forest. He was always great company and generous in sharing his knowledge.

Our deepest condolences to Lyndell, Geoff, Courtney & Kirby and families. Thinking of you and the extended Archard family at this sad time.

Very sad to hear the passing of Stan. I worked with Stan on many ocasions when I was working with the four salinity management plans in that area especially Torrumbarry East of Loddon, Kerang, Swan Hill and Boort West of Loddon. Stan was involved with survey work on the Wandella Creek to enable to BWOL plan to go into implementation.
He was very involved with Rob O’Brien in looking at salinity in the Kerang Marshes.
Initially, I was concerned that Stan was more about maintaining duck habitat as he was a keen duck shooter but over time came to respect him as a person with deep knowledge and how the wetlands functioned. He was fun to work with.
I was the OIC of the Kerang office of the Department of Agriculture, although most of the work was in the biodiversity management area.
Please pass on my commiserations to his family and the people of Cohuna. He will be sadly missed. Thanks.

To the Archard family so sorry to hear the loss of Stan my condolences to you all and love and thoughts are with you all he will be missed

To Lyndell, Geoff and the extended Archard family.
Our loving sympathy and thoughts are with you all at this sad time.
Denise and Alister McDougal.

Deepest sympathy to Stan’s family on his passing. A life well lived & filled with so many stories for family to treasure.

Sorry to hear of the passing of Stan our thoughts are with the ARCHARD family he will be sadly missed Glenda & Norm Frankling