Wimmera farmer Mick Morcom killed in tragic auger accident

A Wimmera grain grower has been described as a respected farmer and kind man following his death in an auger accident last week.

Warracknabeal farmer Mick Morcom pictured at his property in 2007.

Beloved Wimmera farmer Mick Morcom is being remembered as a respected farmer and kind man after he tragically died in an auger accident last week.

Sixty-one year-old Mr Morcom passed away on Friday, February 23, after an accident while loading grain from a silo into a truck at a Kellalac farm, about 10km south of Warracknabeal.

VFF Grains president Craig Henderson said he was shocked and saddened by Mr Morcom’s passing.

Mr Henderson, who crops between Warracknabeal and Birchip, said Mr Morcom had helped him settle into the area when he relocated there about 15 years ago.

“Mick was very much respected by those around the district. He was just a really good bloke to be about,” Mr Henderson said.

“He was just one of those really good fellas who would make sure you were right and made you feel welcome.

“If you ask anybody about him, they would all say the same thing, because that’s what he was, just a great fella

“He was also a strong supporter of the VFF Grains group. I was only with him three days before the accident, at the VFF AGM.”

Close family friend and Warracknabeal farmer Ross Johns, from Ballarat, paid tribute to Mr Morcom at the annual Victorian Farmers Federation grains conference on Monday evening at Horsham.

He said his friend was “a humble and empathetic community man” who was very well respected by the wider Wimmera community.

WorkSafe Victoria has confirmed it is inquiring into Mr Morcom’s accident.

Authorities understand Mr Morcom was operating a large mobile auger when it tipped and struck him on the head at about 3pm on Friday.

Mr Morcom’s death is the third confirmed workplace death this year, all of which have involved workers aged 50 or older.

At the same time last year there were 10 work-related deaths.

Last week tributes flowed in for Mirboo North dairy farmer Bruce Manintveld, 50, who was killed in the severe storms that lashed South Gippsland earlier this month.

Mr Manintveld was riding a quad bike when he was struck with a piece of metal that had detached from a shed at his property at the height of the storms, according to WorkSafe.