Growers recognised at Hort Awards

Australian horticultural growers and industry members have been recognised at the Hort Connection 2022 National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, which was held on Wednesday, 8 June, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The awards were given to industry members as an acknowledgement of their successes and achievements, with a range of areas in horticulture being recognised such as growers, researchers, agribusinesses and exporters. Hort Connections is a collaborative event between AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association of Australia-New Zealand.

“The National Awards for Excellence provide an opportunity for the industry to come together, recognise the outstanding achievements of our leading growers and industry members, and celebrate the great work that our industry undertakes to keep Australia healthy and safe,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.

“It was more important for the industry to meet up and reconnect with each other this year than ever before after the unprecedented challenges over the last two years due to the pandemic, and it was pleasing that so many people could come together, celebrate the industry’s successes and provide support to peers and colleagues.

“Everyone who was nominated for an award this year has demonstrated their passion and commitment to the industry and has made a valuable contribution to its ongoing growth and success. I’d like to congratulate every individual and business who won an award at this year’s National Awards for Excellence and thank them for their continued dedication to our industry.”

The Syngenta Grower of the Year award went to Annaleise and Lachlan Donovan of Queensland, for their avocado crops. They were recognised for their environmental stewardship and commitment to the avocado industry.

Damian Manno received the Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year award for his work in hydroponics growing.

“Damian has proven himself a determined and successful grower, having set up his growing operation on his own without the support of an existing family business,” Coote said.

“Within only five years, Damian has expanded his business to comprise a significant basil and hydroponic strawberry operation, which is an extremely admirable achievement given where he started.”

Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture award went to Rien Silverstein. This award recognises women in the horticultural industry for their abilities and successes. Silverstein has served as a board member of multiple organisations including Fruit Growers Victoria, and has worked to boost labour conditions for workers as part of the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme — the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme.

Michael Simonetta from NSW’s Perfection Fresh Australia won the Hort Innovation Exporter of the Year award, Peter Leach won the Bayer Researcher of the Year award, the Visy Industry Impact award was given for the Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Area Wide Management program, and Sam Kisvarda from the Favourite Group was recognised with the E.E. Muir & Sons Community Stewardship award.

Finally, Marlon Motlop won the Butler Market Gardens Environment and Sustainability award for sustainable growing practices that have integrated environmentally friendly methods.

For more information, visit hortconnections.com.au/hort-awards.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Talaj