PGA president Rob Gillam said Mr Henderson joined the ranks of the PGA in the early 1980s when the campaign against statutory lamb marketing was heating up in WA.

Not only did Mr Henderson promote the case against the aquisition of lamb in WA, but he also took part in the PGA marches of the 1980s opposing federal economic policies and defending animal exports.

"Many farmers throughout the State also have Bevan to thank for the behind the scene roles he played as the PGA representative on the WA Rural Land Sales Liaison Committee in the early 1990s and on the Agricultural Practices Board from 1998," said Mr Gillam.

Mr Gillam said Mr Henderson had been a prominent junior farmer in Cunderdin, a Cunderdin shire councillor and deputy president, a Meckering show president and a local branch president of the Liberal Party.

Mr Henderson was appointed Mortlock district chairman of the PGA in 1985 and rose quickly through the ranks to become state junior vice president in 1987 and senior vice present in 1988.

He held that position until 1996 and then took over from Mick Muir as PGA treasurer in 2000.

"Managing the finances of any rural lobby group in this day and age is no easy matter and we are all deeply indebted to you Bevan for your direction and dedication," Mr Gillam said in presenting the award to Mr Henderson.

"For a relatively small rural lobby group the PGA's record of achievement continued to be of state, national and global significance," said Mr Henderson in response to the award.