Berries Australia Chair

Anthony Poiner

Anthony Poiner took on the role of Berries Australia Chair in 2022, taking over from Peter McPherson who has held the roles of Treasurer and President of the ABGA, and Treasurer for the International Blueberry Organisation (IBO), and in September 2016, was honoured to be elected President of the IBO.

Anthony is the Executive Director of Fresh Produce Group who supply high-quality fruit to customers across Australia and in Asia.

Their mission is to anticipate what customers and consumers will prize in eating quality, presentation and availability of premium fruit. In Australia, the group grow grapes, citrus and berries based on the best genetics and smart farming practices for Australian and Asian customers.

Berries Australia Board of Directors

Directors representing the Australian Blueberry Growers’ Association (ABGA)

Andrew BellJames KellawayChristian Parsons
Andrew is the Managing Director of Mountain Blue – a diversified blueberry company, comprising a genetics company, farming operations, commercial nursery and a marketing company. Mountain Blue has significant farming operations, along with a network of third-party growers around Australia that grow genetics owned by Mountain Blue.James Kellaway is the Chief Executive Officer of Oz Group Co-Op, a leading cooperative for soft fruit farmers in northern New South Wales. With over 35 years of experience in Australia’s agricultural sector, James has worked across the sheep, beef, poultry, fruit, and vegetable industries. His expertise encompasses export market access and development, strategic management, research, development and extension (RD&E), government relations, and marketing. Raised in Dorrigo, NSW, James holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) and an MBA. Christian Parsons is the Chief Operating Officer for Citrus, Grapes, Avocado, and Banana at Costa Group, Australia’s leading horticultural company. He began his career with Costa in July 2010 as Avocado Business Manager and advanced through roles including General Manager of Sales and Marketing for the Mushroom category. In early 2014, he joined the Berry domestic team, holding positions such as Growth Projects Manager, National Harvest Manager, and Regional Manager for Corindi. By 2019, he was promoted to National Operations Manager, then to General Manager in July 2022. In March 2024, Christian became Chief Operating Officer for Domestic Produce, and in January 2025, he assumed his current role.

Directors representing Raspberries and Blackberries Australia (RABA)

Gavin ScurrRichard McGruddy
Andrew TerryRobert King
Gavin is a seasoned fresh produce grower and industry leader respected for farming innovation and commitment to quality. A hands-on visionary, Gavin heads a management team and board of directors. He is former chairman of the Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA), a director of the Raspberry and Blackberry Australia board (RABA) and also the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA). Gavin is also on the NT Farmers Association board, is a member of the pineapple industry marketing advisory committee and managing director of joint venture company, BerryWorld Australia.Richard is the Director of Red Hill Berries based in south-east Queensland. The farms operations use protected cropping, comprehensive IPM strategies and high tech irrigation to grow both strawberries and raspberries. Founded in 2003 on an old pineapple farm at Caboolture, Red Hill Berries now operates across 5 separate sites including Wamuran and Applethorpe on the Granite Belt.Andrew Terry is the Managing Director of Tasmanian Berries, a prominent berry farming enterprise in northern Tasmania. Raised on a mixed farming operation in the region, Andrew earned a Bachelor of Business from the University of Tasmania. He initially worked in the mining industry before transitioning to horticulture, starting as a vineyard pruner and advancing to Vineyard Manager while completing a Bachelor of Viticulture. In 2013, Andrew and his wife, Stephanie, established Tasmanian Berries, partnering with Driscoll’s Australia. The farm now spans multiple sites, producing strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Andrew oversees general management, operations, and strategic planning, with a particular passion for Rubus berry cultivation.Rob King is the General Manager of the Berry Category at Costa Group, Australia’s leading horticultural company. His passion for the industry began in his family’s fresh produce wholesale business in New South Wales. In 2013, Rob joined Costa as Regional Manager, developing the Far North Queensland blueberry operation. He later led the company’s largest berry site in Corindi, New South Wales, before advancing to National Operations Manager. In March 2024, he was appointed General Manager of the Berry Category. Rob’s dedication was recognized in 2018 when he received the Frank Costa Award for business excellence.

Directors representing Strawberries Australia (SAI)

Simon DornaufJamie MichaelNathan Baronio
The Dornauf family has been farming in the Meander Valley just north of Launceston for three generations. Their life in berries began 30 years ago, when Simon’s father, Robin, began growing raspberries for both domestic and export markets. Simon is the Director and Farm Manager of the current family farm, Hillwood Berries in the Tamar Valley. They grow all four of the major berry types; Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries & Blueberries.Jamie founded Ti Produce Marketing with Lam Ti Muir in 2003 after they recognised a need for a specialised strawberry export company based in Western Australia. Ti Produce largely handles Western Australian winter strawberries. They source fruit from their grower base of approximately 20 growers in the Wanneroo/Carabooda area with a combined planting of
approximately 7 million plants.		Nathan Baronio is a third-generation farmer and co-manager of Eastern Colour, a family-owned farm in Applethorpe, Queensland. Alongside his brother Stephen, Nathan oversees the cultivation of strawberries and apples, continuing a legacy that began in the 1930s. Under their leadership, Eastern Colour has become the region’s largest strawberry producer, growing approximately two million plants each season. Nathan is also an active member of the Granite Belt Growers Association’s Executive Committee, advocating for local horticulture and promoting collaborative marketing efforts among growers. His commitment to quality produce and community engagement reflects his family’s enduring passion for agriculture.