Australia's leading horticulture growers and industry members have been recognised at the Hort Connections 2022 National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, with attendees from every sector of Australian horticulture celebrating the significant contributions of the industry and its members.
The National Awards for Excellence was held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday 8 June and provided the opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and determination of the industry's leading growers, researchers and suppliers. The awards cover a range of areas in horticulture, including recognising outstanding growers in multiple categories, as well as researchers, innovative agribusinesses and the industry's leading exporters.
"The National Awards for Excellence provide an opportunity for the industry to come together, recognise the outstanding achievements of our leading growers and industry members, and celebrate the great work that our industry undertakes to keep Australia healthy and safe," said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.
"It was more important for the industry to meet up and reconnect with each other this year than ever before after the unprecedented challenges over the last two years due to the pandemic, and it was pleasing that so many people could come together, celebrate the industry's successes and provide support to peers and colleagues."
"Everyone who was nominated for an award this year has demonstrated their passion and commitment to the industry and has made a valuable contribution to its ongoing growth and success. I'd like to congratulate every individual and business who won an award at this year's National Awards for Excellence and thank them for their continued dedication to our industry."
The winners of the Hort Connections 2022 National Awards for Excellence were as follows:
- Annaleise & Lachlan Donovan, Qld – Syngenta Grower of the Year
- Damien Manno, SA – Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year
- Rien Silverstein, Vic – Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture Award
- Michael Simonetta, Perfection Fresh Australia, NSW – Hort Innovation Exporter of the Year
- Peter Leach, Qld – Bayer Researcher of the Year
- Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Area Wide Management (FFAWM) program – Visy Industry Impact Award
- Sam Kisvarda, Flavorite Group, Vic – E.E. Muir & Sons Community Stewardship Award
- Marlon Motlop, SA – Butler Market Gardens Environment and Sustainability Award
The National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner was the capstone event of Hort Connections 2022, the premier event in Australian horticulture. Delegates converged for the three-day event, which featured a trade show with around 200 local and global supply chain partners and presentations from the industry's leading thinkers.
Photographs of the individual award winners can be found on the following pages. To request
