AUSVEG SA Winners of Premier’s Horticulture Awards for Excellence 2023

23 May 2023

Winners of Innaugural Premier’s Horticulture Awards for Excellence Announced

South Australia’s leading horticulture growers, researchers and industry leaders have been recognised at the 2023 Premier’s Horticulture Awards for Excellence, held by state industry group AUSVEG SA, which celebrates leaders across the state’s $3 billion horticulture sector.

For the first time, the dinner has been recognised as the Premier’s Horticulture Awards, with respect to a commitment by the Malinauskas Labor Government at the March 2022 election to support the AUSVEG SA awards, which are now in their eighth year, and for the Premier to become official patron.

Around 300 growers, members of parliament, researchers and industry leaders came together to celebrate this year’s winners at a gala dinner held at the National Wine Centre on Wednesday 17 May 2023, which was formally opened by the Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia.

AUSVEG SA thanks the SA Government and longtime dinner sponsor William Buck for proudly supporting this year’s dinner.

The winners of the 2023 Premier’s Awards for Excellence are as follows:

Shane Eldridge, Eldridge Fresh Organics, Grower of the Year (proudly sponsored by Peats Soil)
Mark Russo, Adelaide Hydrofresh Young Grower of the Year (proudly sponsored by the SA Produce Market)
Peter Petsios, SA Tomato Co Nursery, Industry Impact Award (proudly sponsored by William Buck)
Ben Hill-Ling, AgXtra, Researcher of the Year (proudly sponsored by Corteva Agriscience)
Liteisha Lochert, Solan Pty Ltd Women in Horticulture Award (proudly sponsored by the Department of Primary Industry and Regions SA)
Trevor Ranford, Summerfruit Australia, Biosecurity Award (proudly sponsored by the Department of Primary Industry and Regions SA)

The winners will be nominated as the AUSVEG SA state-endorsed nominees for their respective categories at the National Horticulture Awards for Excellence, to be held during the Hort Connections 2023 conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 7 June 2023.

The Premier of South Australia, the Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP, provided the keynote address at this year’s event to celebrate a strong field of winners and nominees.

“South Australia’s horticultural production is truly world class, delivering more than three billion dollars to the state’s economy each year.”

“Our premium produce is widely recognised for its quality and its clean and safe environmental credentials.”

“I congratulate each and every one of the winners for their contribution in advancing one of the state’s most significant industries, said Premier the Hon Peter Malinauskas MP.

AUSVEG SA CEO Jordan Brooke-Barnett said that winners of the innaugural Premier’s Awards showcased leaders from throughout the industry.

“We are fortunate to have such a strong field of award winners in our state whose commitment to industry and tireless work is growing the contribution of our $3 billion sector to the state economy which plays a vital role in feeding Australia.”

“I thank the Premier for supporting this year’s awards and wish all our state winners luck at the National Awards in June.” said Mr Brooke-Barnett

The Hon. Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regions was on-hand to present a number of key awards on the night including the Grower of the Year Award, Young Grower of the Year Award, and the Women in Horticulture Award.

“South Australia has a proud history of primary production, and once again this year horticulture has continued to be a key driver of the South Australian economy. I congratulate the entire industry and applaud the nominees, finalists and winners of the inaugural Premer’s Horticulture Awards,” said Minister Scriven

“These are prestigious awards, acknowledging excellence and innovation accros the industry. I am certain we will be well-represented at the National Awards in June.”

AUSVEG SA is the leading horticulture industry body representing the interests of vegetable producers in South Australia and provides growers with a united voice and strong representation with all levels of government.

Images courtesy of Heidi Wolff