Vegetable industry icon Mr Luis Gazzola from Victoria was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for services to the vegetable industry at the vegetable and potato industry’s National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner on Saturday night.

AUSVEG Communications Manager, Hugh Tobin, said that Mr Gazzola, who supplies Australia’s main wholesale markets year round, was the classic example of a vegetable grower who had persevered and succeeded against the many challenges of working the land.

“Luis Gazzola is an icon in the Victorian vegetable industry, and indeed around Australia, and he is a wonderful example of what can come from hard work and a commitment to vegetable growing best practice and innovation,” Mr Tobin said.

AUSVEG is the national peak industry body representing 9000 vegetable and potato growers around Australia.

“Mr Gazzola has demonstrated a commitment to implementing the latest mechanical, cultural and agricultural practices available to the vegetable industry over several decades and is well respected by growers throughout Australia for his years of dedication.”

A 53-year veteran of the industry, Mr Gazzola thanked his family for their support, including his third generation vegetable growing sons, Paul, Colin and Andrew, and his wife Gloria.

“Luis’ service to the community, in growing and supplying vegetable products for wholesale over many decades is to be commended and I can’t think of a more deserving winner of this prestigious award,” Mr Tobin said.

Mr Gazzola’s father migrated from Italy in 1925 at the age of 21. Mr Gazzola served his apprenticeship growing vegetables very early in life. He grew up on the land with his family, working beside his dad from the age of ten, after school, on weekends and in school holidays.

“The history of the Gazzola’s in the Australian vegetable industry is extraordinary. In the decades that Luis has been in the industry there have been substantial changes to the way the industry operates and it’s quite a challenge to be able to adapt to these changes and continue to be successful. Luis’ continuing passion for the industry is amazing,” Mr Tobin said.

Gazzola Farms now employs around 44 full-time staff and the business is run by Mr Gazzola and his sons Paul, Andrew and Colin. Mr Gazzola is also the President of the Vegetable Growers Association of Victoria.

Gazzola Farms was also awarded the Industry Impact Award sponsored by Boomaroo Nurseries, for its substantial impact on the vegetable industry.

“Everyone was excited when Mr Gazzola was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. He really is an iconic figure in the Australian vegetable industry who deserves recognition and it was great to see his wife and sons also recognised for their support,” Mr Tobin said.

AUSVEG Chairman John Brent joined all AUSVEG Directors to make the presentation to Mr Gazzola at Jupiters Hotel-Casino on Saturday May 29.

ENDS

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