Celebrating the life of John Michael Partridge (Mick) Fry
We announce the news that Mick Fry, just shy of his 99th birthday, passed away on the evening of 30 June 2025.
In remembrance, the Western Australia apple and pear industry honours Mick and his extraordinary legacy as a true pioneer and visionary in orcharding who transformed the horticulture industry. His passion, innovative spirit, and profound influence have made a lasting impact that will inspire generations to come.
This story reflects the remarkable achievements of a truly exceptional life’s work.
Mick was a prominent figure in the orcharding community for many years, recognised for his significant influence in the industry. He possessed a remarkable talent for developing innovative solutions for farm and orchard equipment. Although he had no formal training, he was a self-taught expert who had successfully overcome challenges such as dyslexia and a childhood foot injury. His contributions have significantly advanced fruit harvesting practices, marking a notable evolution in the sector.
Mick's journey began with seeing a brochure that an orchardist from Manjimup had brought back from a trip to the US in the early 1960s. Coming from a large family farm run by three families (MC Fry & Sons “Crendon”), Mick developed an obsession for innovation, inspired by improving orcharding practices in his farm workshop environment. The brochure featured a three-legged picking machine called the “Squirrel”, aptly named for its ability to scamper up and down trees. However, this model was limited in its application as it operated with hand controls, which restricted its use for harvesting fruit hands-free.
Understanding the potential for improvement, Mick decided to prove a concept of controlling the machine with foot pedals, using parts repurposed from an old vehicle. He then built another machine using hydraulic controls and motors, and that was the initial design that has been continually improved upon since. He ultimately patented the foot controls of the "Squirrel". Mick never lost sight of his vision, even when others doubted. His talent lay in his unwavering determination to pursue his ideas until they were fully realised.
Initially, the cost of the machine was $3,000, which many orchardists considered unnecessarily expensive, leading them to prefer using the orchard ladder instead. However, Mick continued to improve the uses of the orchard harvest process and developed an advanced version of a large picking bag, designed to carry five bushels of fruit, which was custom-fitted to the squirrel but is still used in many other machines and applications today. This bag was extensively modified to minimise bruising in the harvesting process, making its efficiency and cost-effectiveness undeniable. As a result, it has become a standard tool in the industry.
The first machine was purchased by an orchardist in Manjimup, who was so impressed that he went on to buy another one. From there, the machine gained unprecedented popularity. It has been sold all over Australia, as well as exported to Malaysia, Chile, New Zealand, and the United States.
The WA Squirrel began in a family workshop, and its success led to the operation moving from the farm to a larger facility at Crendon Machinery in the main street of Donnybrook. Mick worked in the family business, Crendon Machinery, until he reached 92. Retirement was never an option for him because he enjoyed working alongside his son, Neville, who brought expertise in commercialisation to the operation. The family and business relationship between the two complemented each other well, enhancing both their talents and skills.
The machinery developed by Mick and commercialised via Neville has found even further applications in various industries, but it has gained popularity in the thriving avocado industry in recent years. Following the success of the Squirrel, Mick continued to innovate, creating a range of farm machinery, including developing specialized forklifts for moving fruit bins, orchard movers, and sweepers. They also developed a portable netting cover called Netwizz, which has achieved significant success, particularly in portable crop protection management, and has been identified by the industry as the best option for managing a warming climate and preventing pests.
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Mick Fry, hanging up flags around Egan Oval for the Donnybrook Apple Festival, 1966
This Squirrel is the first one he made, and was used on the MC Fry & Sons family farm “Crendon”.
