Sandy took over the role as IDO for Victoria & South Australia in September 2024 and is based in the Wandin area of Victoria. She has spent the last decade working in various roles in the strawberry industry in Australia, China, and the United States.

Most recently, she has been a plant technician for the Australian Strawberry Breeding Program at the Wandin Research Centre, where she worked with growers and researchers to develop temperate varieties for Australia. She’s also served at various points in her career as an office manager, a farm project coordinator, and a research technician.

Sandy loves working at the nexus between industry and research. She draws energy from the enthusiasm of growers and researchers collaborating to solve the problems facing the industry and is looking forward to the opportunity this role provides to promote solutions that work for growers.

She is looking forward to expanding her knowledge of the wider berry industry and hopes to work closely with all berry growers to provide them the support and information they need.