The AUSVEG National Convention has closed with a sold-out gala celebration and 11 growers, and members of the wider Australian vegetable industry, honoured for excellence in their field tonight.

AUSVEG Chairman and Mayor of Scenic Rim Regional Council in Queensland, John Brent, congratulated the award winners and said he was thrilled with the success of the event, held at Jupiters Hotel-Casino on the Gold Coast.

“With almost 600 delegates attending the Convention I’m so proud of the dedication and passion shown within the vegetable and potato growing industry,” said Mr Brent.

“We had a record number of award nominations this year and a series of very worthy winners,” he continued.
Winners of eight award categories open for public nomination included:

• Grower of the Year, sponsored by Syngenta – Jim Trandos, Wanneroo, WA
• Researcher of the Year, sponsored by Bayer CropScience – Len Tesoriero, Camden, NSW
• Young Grower of the Year, sponsored by Dow AgroSciences – Daniel Maher, Ballarat, VIC
• Productivity Partner Award, sponsored by Elders – Syngenta
• Industry Recognition Award, sponsored by DuPont – Jim Turley, West Perth, WA
• Women in Horticulture Award, sponsored by McCain Foods Australia – Narelle West, Kalbar, QLD
• Innovative Marketing Award, sponsored by Brisbane Produce Market – Andrew Philip, Childers, QLD
• Industry Impact Award, sponsored by Boomaroo Nurseries – Gazzola Farms, Somerville, VIC

Three other special award categories not open for public nomination included the Premier’s Award, the AUSVEG Lifetime Achievement Award, and the AUSVEG Industry Leader Award.

The Premier’s Award was won by David Anderson of Shoalwater, WA. Luis Gazzola of Gazzola Farms in Somerville, VIC, won the AUSVEG Lifetime Achievement Award, and the AUSVEG Industry Leader Award was won by Andrew Meurant of Elders.

The gala Awards ceremony was hosted by AFL legend Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico and host of the ABC’s Stateline program Jessica van Vonderen.

AUSVEG is the national peak industry body representing the interests of around 9,000 vegetable and potato growers around Australia.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Hugh Tobin, Communications Manager, AUSVEG, Ph: (03) 9544 8098, Mob: 0431 939 920, Email: hugh.tobin@ausveg.com.au