POMEWEST vale
Left: This Squirrel is the first one Mick Fry made, and was used on the MC Fry & Sons family farm “Crendon”.
Celebrating
THE LIFE OF JOHN MICHAEL PARTRIDGE (MICK) FRY
a local legend
On the evening of 30 June, the Western Australian apple and pear industry experienced a significant loss with the passing of a key figure in the orcharding sector in the Donnybrook region. This story honours the remarkable achievements of Mick and his extraordinary contributions to improving orchard harvesting processes.
Words Nardia Stacy, Executive Manager, Pomewest
Donnybrook Apple Fun Park
The Fry family played a vital role in establishing the Donnybrook Apple Fun Park, which opened in 2008.
Funded primarily by Crendon Machinery, along with support from local businesses and volunteers, the park promotes local produce, tourism, fitness, and unity among families, offering a free, unsupervised recreational space.
As Australia’s largest free-entry fun park, valued at over $2 million, it attracts around 50,000 families annually to Donnybrook, WA. The park is also a key attraction at the annual Donnybrook Apple Street Festival, showcasing the region and benefiting the local community.
MICK was a key figure in the orcharding community, renowned for his innovative solutions in farm equipment. Despite his dyslexia and a childhood foot injury, he became a self-taught expert, significantly advancing fruit harvesting practices.
His journey began in the 1960s with a brochure from an orchardist showcasing the “Squirrel”, a three-legged picking machine. Recognising its limitations, Mick repurposed vehicle parts to create a foot-controlled version and patented the design.
Initially priced at $3,000, the machine faced scepticism from orchardists, who preferred to stick with ladders. However, Mick’s enhancements led to the development of an advanced picking bag that minimised bruising, making it an industry standard.
The machine’s success began with an orchardist in Manjimup, leading to widespread sales across Australia and exports to countries such as Malaysia and the United States.
Mick worked until the age of 92 at Crendon Machinery, alongside his son Neville. Their collaboration combined Mick’s innovative spirit with Neville’s commercial expertise, leading to further advancements in machinery, including forklifts, orchard movers, and portable netting covers such as the Netwizz, which helps manage pests and adapt to climate changes in the field.
A true pioneer and visionary, his passion and innovative spirit have left a lasting impact that will inspire future generations.