11 / 40
11
Potatoes Australia August/September 2016
from Stannards Accountants
and Advisors Partner Jason
Wall, who discussed common
business mistakes and business
sale and expansion.
Following lunch was a business
session targeted at women in
horticulture, entitled
Step out
to step up: Upskilling and
inspiring professionals working
in horticulture production
.
This session featured robust
discussion and presentations
from AUSVEG Director and
Queensland vegetable grower
Belinda Adams as well as
Montague Fresh International
Trade Development Manager
Claire Fitchett.
Delegates then had the
chance to relax after a busy day
with the DuPont Masquerade
Theme Night. It also gave them
the opportunity to network with
friends and colleagues while
being entertained by mimes and
a jazz band.
Those up bright and early on
Saturday morning were treated
to an outdoor breakfast once
again. Dr Sharman Stone,
former Member for Murray,
addressed the audience
about the issues she faced
when calling for government
assistance to save local
processor SPC Ardmona.
Following breakfast, AUSVEG
and APAL delegates broke off
into two concurrent speaker
sessions that targeted issues in
their respective industries.
AUSVEG delegates heard
from Watermark Senior Tax
Consultant Russel Gooch and
Trainee Patent and Trade Marks
Attorney Renee White, who
outlined the R&D Tax Incentive
Program and its implications
for growers. United States
vegetable grower Jack Vessey
spoke about issues facing
vegetable growers in southern
California and highlighted how
the industry responded to a
devastating salmonella outbreak
in the state in 2006.
Syngenta Vegetable Seeds
Global Head of Marketing
Massimo Enzo then outlined
the global vegetable industry’s
market dynamics while Adama
Australia General Manager of
Technical Development Andrew
Horsfield discussed the future
of Nimitz nematicide in fruit and
vegetable crops in Australia.
Kalfresh Agricultural Director
Rob Hinrichsen presented
an entertaining piece entitled
‘40,000 Kilometres and Five
Cows’, where he addressed
the issues of soil health and
controlled traffic farming.
Rounding out the morning of
speakers was Tony Chilvers,
eCommerce and Technology
Content Marketer, who
stressed the importance of
social media and technology
in marketing products.
Following the closure of the
Trade Show, it was time for a
small group of young growers
to enjoy some indoor skydiving,
while the ladies were wined
and dined at the Women in
Horticulture High Tea at Palazzo
Versace. Hosting the event was
Pip Courtney from the ABC’s
Landline
, while Dr Sharman
Stone gave a keynote
address urging women to step
up and take on challenging
roles in horticulture.
The success of Kalfresh’s
Just Veg range was highlighted
before a Q&A session was
conducted with the grower
panellists, which included Alice
Gorman, Jane Miles and Tracey
Rieck from Kalfresh; Sharron
Windolf from Windolf Farms
and Director of Hort Innovation
Susan Finger. Their comments
led to an insightful discussion
about women in horticulture,
the opportunities presented and
stepping up to grasp them when
they do become available.
As the 2016 Convention
came to a close, it was time
for the National Awards for
Excellence Gala Dinner where
both AUSVEG and APAL
celebrated the achievements
of leading members of the
vegetable, potato, apple and
pear industries.
Queensland’s Rob Hinrichsen
claimed the prestigious Grower
of the Year award, while
former potato grower Wayne
Cornish from South Australia
was recognised for his tireless
commitment to the industry
with the AUSVEG Lifetime
Achievement Award. The full
list of award winners can be
found on page 12.
AUSVEG would like to thank
the six Convention co-hosts for
their partnership, as well as the
Strategic Partners, delegates,
speakers and exhibitors. Without
this collaboration and support,
the event would not have been
such a success.
DuPont Masquerade Theme Night.
Women in Horticulture High Tea speakers.
The view from RACV Royal Pines.
Photography by Andrew Beveridge.