A number of photographic and video opportunities will be available at Australia?s largest horticultural conference to be held at Wrest Point Hotel Casino May 10-12 2012.

Below is a selection of key visual events taking place during the Convention. Media passes can be requested from the AUSVEG Media contact below.
Friday 11 May:
  • 7:30am – 9:00am – “Agribusiness leaders’ panel”. The leaders from Iconic horticultural businesses will form a panel to address attendees on the future of agriculture and how to keep pushing the industry forward. Speakers include Mr Malcolm Jackman, CEO of Elders Ltd, Mr Joerg Ellmanns, Managing Director of Bayer CropScience Australia/New Zealand and Mr John Lloyd, CEO of Horticulture Australia Limted.
  • 9:00am – 9:20am – AUSVEG Chairman John Brent will present his opening address to Convention Delegates.
  • 10:30am – 11:00am – AUSVEG Convention Keynote Presentation. Mr Paul Howes, National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union.
  • 1:00pm – 2:00pm – “Celebrity Chef Cook-off”. Master Chef Finalist Callum Hann will be preparing special meals only using produce grown in Tasmania by local grower Houston?s Farm. The event will also feature two local apprentice chefs who will be competing in a „Mystery Box? challenge with the goal to produce the best dish possible from Tasmanian ingredients.

Saturday 12 May:

  • 7:15am – 8:30 am- “History of the Vegetable Industry Breakfast”. Professor Geoffrey Blainey arguably Australia?s leading historian, will speak at the breakfast detailing the triumphs and struggles of the first Australian settlers to grow vegetables in this country and the successes of the Italian migration of the 1950?s who carved out one of Australia?s most successful agricultural industries growing vegetables.
  • 9:40am – 10:00am – Victorian Senator John Madigan, a strong supporter of farming in Australia will present a speech titled, “The future of farming & manufacturing in Australia”.
  • 11:30am – 11:50am – Editor of The Weekly Times, Mr Ed Gannon will present on the importance of rural reporting in metropolitan media. A critic of the views some city residents have of rural and regional issues Mr Gannon will speak on how The Weekly Times tries to set the record straight.
  • 11:50am – 12:50pm- “The Great Debate: Coal Seam Gas”. A topic that has divided the agricultural industry, two teams one for and one against will argue on the science behind Coal Seam Gas (CSG), the legal rights of farmers to oppose CSG plants and the moral and ecological responsibilities of farmers and CSG operators. The teams will include high-profile opponent of CSG, New South Wales Farmers Association President Ms Fiona Simson.
  • 12:50pm – 1:50pm – “A Taste of Tasmania”. An event to celebrate the food and wine accomplishments of Tasmanian producers. With local producers displaying their wares in the Convention Trade Show and local musical talent entertaining this event shows puts on display what the apple isle has to offer.
  • 1:30pm – 4:30pm – Celebrating the successes of women in our industry the “Women in Horticulture Event” will take place at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne will be addressing the vegetable industries female leaders.
  • 7:30pm – 10:30pm – “The AUSVEG National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner”. An event to celebrate the success of the Horticultural Industry and a spectacle to see, the awards for excellence announce the „Grower of the Year’ award and the „Women in Horticulture’ award amongst a host of others. Embargoed details will be provided on Tasmanian winners that may be of particular interest to print media.

MEDIA CONTACT: William Churchill – Public Affairs Manager, AUSVEG Phone: (03) 9822 0388, Mobile: 0411 166 748, Email: william.churchill@ausveg.com.au