2009 winners
Peter Dal Santo - AUSVEG Industry Recognition Award
After graduating with an agricultural science degree in 1982, Peter Dal Santo began working in pest management for the agrichemical industry. Since 2000, Peter has worked primarily with vegetables, generating the necessary data for the industry to access new pesticides.
In 2004, his company, AgAware Consulting, expanded its role—it now coordinates pesticide access and pesticide management issues on behalf of most horticulture industries. Peter has a particular interest in substituting currently-available older pesticides, for newer, reduced-risk pesticides with sound integrated pest management (IPM) profiles and international market acceptance.
Peter, on behalf of the vegetable industry, is now working with AgAware’s US counterpart, IR-4, to bring new pest management options to Australia sooner.
Kim Vincent - Landini Grower of the Year
Having been in the vegetable industry for only eight years hasn’t stopped Kim Vincent from making her mark. The Founding President of the Hydroponics Association of the Mid North Coast now grows on 40 acres of land, along with 5,000 square metres of hydroponic cultivation.
In addition to being a member of the Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (IAC), which makes recommendations to the HAL Board about investment of National Vegetable Levy funds, Kim has also been proactive in promoting local produce in the Coffs Harbour region, where her property is located.
Kim has opened a retail outlet that sells only local produce, which gives primary producers in the area another avenue for reaching consumers.
Nathan Clackson - Landmark Young Grower of the Year
The increase in Australia’s Asian vegetable production in recent years is due in no small part to the efforts of Nathan Clackson, who in 2007 converted a weed-infested, former grape-tomato farm in Peats Ridge, News South Wales, into an 11-acre NFT hydroponic facility that now employs more than 20 staff and produces between 60,000 and 85,000 bunches of Asian vegetables per week.
Nathan designed and built the operation, and is currently in the process of producing his own seedlings.
In addition to attending and presenting at domestic and international conferences, Nathan has attended field days, participated in the 2009 Brassica Think Tank in Adelaide, and is also a member of the Central Coast Plateau Chamber of Commerce.
Dr Paul Horne - Syngenta Researcher of the Year
Dr Paul Horne is an entomologist who has, the past 13 years, been owner and director of IPM Technologies Pty Ltd.
He has been involved with the development and implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) in a wide range of crops and has specialised in helping growers adopt IPM on-farm. He has conducted research on how to use biological control agents, cultural methods and selective pesticides, and has demonstrated best practice for IPM to growers and other interested parties.
Paul has written four books about insects and published more than 70 scientific and conference papers, as well as many other articles in industry literature. He is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at La Trobe University.
Ladybird Organics - Brisbane Produce Market Innovative Marketing Award
Ladybird Organics’ innovative contribution to the industry has been the development of a biodegradable plastic made from corn resin that contains all the positives of conventional plastic, and increases product life by approximately 30 per cent.
Made from poly lactic acid and known as “PLA”, the plastic is used to package Ladybird’s salads, which has expanded the organic market by achieving 2 million sales per annum—in only 18 months since its launch. A key achievement has been accessing major supermarkets.
Both the produce industry and other non-competing industries have begun to investigate biodegradable packaging as a result of PLA. In addition, Ladybird Organics has been asked to participate in seminars and training DVDs about biodegradable packaging.
2008 winners
Peter Cochrane - AUSVEG Chairman’s Award
An Executive Member of the Vegetable Growers Association of Victoria and President of the Victorian Farmers Federation Horticulture Group, Peter Cochrane has grown vegetables for more than 30 years in Devon Meadows, Victoria, in partnership with his wife. Peter has given many years of continued service to the vegetable and horticulture sectors and has been very active in a wide range of issues in order to help maintain a viable industry. On winning the award Peter said "it is a real honour to be recognised by my peers and be acknowledged for my input into industry".
Peter Schreurs – Landini Grower of the Year
Victorian grower Peter Schreurs has been in the vegetable industry for more than 20 years; his company, Royston Park Vegetable Farm, is one of the largest leek producers in Australia. He has adopted an Environmental and Sustainability Policy that includes nature-friendly initiatives through soil biology, water conservation, integrated pest management (IPM), biodiversity and energy conservation.
Peter said "I was very surprised to win, all the other applicants were just as deserving. I appreciate very much the industry recognising the efforts on the philosophy of sustainability. It's a very exciting time, I would like other growers to use IPM as its an initiative that nature has provided us with".
Chris Millis – Landmark Young Grower of the Year
With the protected cropping industry increasingly driven by technology, it pays to be an early adopter. Chris Millis, Project Manager at Flavorite Tomatoes in Victoria, has helped guide the industry by leading by example. Chris’s business advances include a carbon dioxide enrichment program, hanging gutters for vine-tomato production, specialist management trolleys for high-wire crops, and a commitment to developing an IPM system on-site.
Dr Sandra McDougall – Bayer CropScience Researcher of the Year
Dr Sandra McDougall has worked on vegetable industry-related research projects for more than 10 years and is committed to helping growers integrate R&D outcomes in their production operations. Her commitment to the on-farm uptake of R&D results has been exemplified in the personal assistance she has extended to growers, her high standing among the grower community, and the demand for her knowledge at conferences nationally and internationally.
Sandra said "I would like to thank the support of my colleagues and the Department of NSW Primary Industries for all their support. There are other researchers who also deserve this award because of the tremendous efforts they all put into their work".
Odeum Produce – Brisbane Produce Market Innovative Marketing Award
Odeum Produce has worked closely with growers and major retail organisations over the past seven years to develop innovative marketing solutions. Odeum Produce sets benchmarks for future market trends that have been followed nationwide. Odeum Produce CEO, Aubrey Freemantle said "it was great to win the award, Odeum Produce is very honoured to win and would like to thank the sponsor, Brisbane Produce Market and everyone who was involved in the awards"
Web: [ www.odeum.com.au ]
2007 winners
Ian Young – AUSVEG Chairman's Award
Ian has represented Tasmanian vegetable growers for over 20 years. He has served as Chairman of the Sweet Corn Growers' Committee within the
McCain grower group and Chairman of the TFGA grower council. Ian represents the industry at a national level on the AUSVEG board and is an active
member of many other industry groups.
Dino Musolino – NAB Agribusiness Grower of the Year
Dino is one of the leading hydroponic lettuce growers in Australia through his venture Hi-Tech Hydroponics Group. He was a winner of the
2004 South Australian Premier's Service to Industry Achievement Award. Dino’s company focuses on innovation and markets a range of ready to
eat vegetable packs. He also plans to market new product lines such as living herbs and microwaveable vegetable packs. Dino runs a flexible
workplace, offering opportunities to multi-skill, keeping staff motivated.
Danny Trandos – Young Grower of the Year
Danny is a third generation member of the Trandos family business, running a hydroponic farm in Western Australia. Danny has travelled the world researching ways for better farming practice, developing professional relationships with industry members in many countries. In partnership with his father Harry, Danny has spent the last two years establishing the Hydroponic Growers Association of Western Australia. Danny represents Western Australia on the national Greenhouse Advisory Committee and regularly attends public meetings and seminars to help advance the industry.
Dennis Phillips – Researcher of the Year
Dennis is a senior development officer at the Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food. He is involved in the management of
applied research and development projects in collaboration with the vegetable and strawberry industries. His recent work has assisted growers
to phase out the continuous use of raw chicken manure as a fertiliser on the Swan coastal plain, demonstrating that lettuce and a range of other
leafy and brassica vegetables can be grown successfully using mineral fertilisers only.
John Said – Brisbane Produce Market Innovative Marketing Award
John's company Fresh Select is based in Victoria, specialising in the wholesale distribution and export of leafy vegetables and brassicas. The company has developed a strong relationship with Coles, and has implemented the supply of bagged lettuce to the supermarket over the last three years. Working closely with his suppliers, John has identified and improved harvesting techniques. John has also recognised growing consumer interest in easily prepared salads and as a result has introduced 'Salanova', a twin pack of lettuce which consumers can quickly and easily turn into a salad at home.
2006 winners
Figaro Natoli – AUSVEG Chairman's Award
The 2006 AUSVEG Chairman’s Award was presented to Figaro Natoli of Western Australia, whose dedication to the vegetable over the last 30 years has helped shape the industry. The award acknowledged Figaro’s ongoing leadership and passion, which has enabled him to play key roles at both a state and national levels in representing the industry.
Matt Ryan – Young Grower of the Year
Tasmanian grower Matt Ryan’s contribution to the Fair Dinkum Food campaign saw him receive the Young Grower of the Year Award in 2006. The award recognised not only Matt’s personal efforts and leadership he demonstrated over the span of the campaign but also acknowledging the importance of young growers and there optimism for the future of the industry.
David de Paoli – Innovation Award
The 2006 Grower Innovation Award was won by David De Paoli of AUSTChilli of Queensland. Recognising the need for a unique approach to business, David, who is also the Chairman of Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association, was congratulated for his ongoing commitment to innovative technology, which has seen his business grow significantly.
Elizabeth Minchinton – Researcher of the Year
The Researcher of the Year Award in 2006 was awarded to Dr Elizabeth Minchinton of the Victorian Department of Primary Industries for her ongoing contributions to vegetable research in the field of plant pathology.
Kate Adamson – Media Award
Kate Adamson of The Weekly Times took out the 2006 Media Award due to her dedicated coverage of the Fair Dinkum Food campaign and tractor rally throughout 2005.
