New Berries Australia board invites you to get involved
Date: 18th November 2024
Berries Australia are pleased to announce that we have a new set of Directors who were elected at the recent Annual General Meeting and join our existing board members.
We are confident that the new larger board will give diverse and balanced leadership guidance for the organisation as we move into a new era of cooperation and collaboration across the Australian berry industries.
The returning board members are:
Anthony Poiner – Fresh Produce Group (Chair)
Andrew Bell – Mountain Blue (Secretary)
Christian Parsons – Costa
Gavin Scurr – Pinata Farms
Richard McGruddy – Queensland Berries
Simon Dornauf – Hillwood Berries
Jamie Michael – Ti Produce (Treasurer)
The new board members are:
James Kellaway
James is currently CEO at Oz Group Co-Op based in northern New South Wales. He has extensive experience, as an executive and a non-executive director, across regulatory and commercial entities within the agricultural sector of the Australian economy over 30 plus years in many rural and regional communities.
Nathan Baronio
Nathan is a third-generation farmer located in the Granite Belt region of Queensland and runs the highly successful Eastern Colour business with his brother Stephen where they grow apples and are the largest strawberry producer in the area.
Andrew Terry
Andrew operates Tasmanian Berries which is one of the largest independent, commercial blackberry producers in Australia. The business also grows raspberries and strawberries across three sites in Tasmania and the Bundaberg region of Queensland.
Rob King
Rob joined Costa and developed the FNQ blueberry operation as Regional Manager. Rob then moved to Corindi, NSW to lead the Costa berry category’s largest site. He then held the National Operations Manager role before moving into the position of Costa Berries General Manager in March 2024.
As foreshadowed in the Spring 2024 edition of the Australian Berry Journal, we are setting up a series of issues-based sub-committees on a range of topics outlined below.
These sub-committees will be chaired by a Berries Australia board director with committee membership open to anyone within the industry who would like to contribute to shaping the future of the Australian berry industries.
Some of these sub-committees are already up and running, and in the case of the Export sub-committee already delivering substantial value to the broader berry industry through the work being carried out.
We actively encourage any berry grower or industry participant who is interested in any of these topics to nominate to become involved in the relevant sub-committee.
Please note that the management of levy expenditure will remain a responsibility of Hort Innovation, however, we will certainly provide input into our R&D priorities through the new consultation mechanism supported by our new R&D Manager role filled by the very capable Angela Atkinson.
MARKETING
PURPOSE:
To drive domestic consumption across the category through the implementation of a marketing program. A key deliverable for this sub-committee is to determine the ongoing value of a berry-basket campaign approach and develop funding options.
DELIVERABLES:
- Guide the berry basket marketing campaign
- Identify other opportunities to promote berries
- Explore funding mechanisms for marketing
TEAM SUPPORT:
Rachel Mackenzie & Jane Richter
CHAIR:
Nathan Baronio
SUMMARY:
This committee is the Project Reference Group for the BerryBasket Marketing campaign currently overseeing the jointly funded Hort Innovation project MT23500.
COMMITMENT REQUIRED:
There is already a functioning committee in place which meets every two months however we welcome additional members.
R&D/Pest & Disease Management
PURPOSE:
To develop strategic R&D priorities to be delivered both within and external to Hort Innovation. To develop a strategic and coordinated approach to AgVet chemical access.
DELIVERABLES:
- Identify upcoming R&D priorities & mechanisms to fund them
- Provide input into relevant advocacy activities, especially around AgVet chemicals
TEAM SUPPORT:
Rachel Mackenzie & Angela Atkinson
CHAIR:
Andrew Bell
SUMMARY:
Most investment is driven by Hort Innovation levy funds but this committee enables a more strategic approach and can tap into other research delivery mechanisms. Rachel is Chairing the Chemical Access for the NFF Hort Council and this committee will provide important technical input into that process.
COMMITMENT REQUIRED:
Involvement in this sub-committee will entail 6 monthly online meetings in sync with the Hort Innovation ideation panel meetings and ad-hoc in response to emerging issues.
Terms of Reference are to be agreed and participants will need to sign a confidentiality statement
Propagation & Varietals (strawberries only)
PURPOSE:
To develop and implement a strawberry propagation strategy including improved access to better varietals
DELIVERABLES:
- Undertake an analysis of the risks and opportunities associated with the status quo
- Identify a pathway for improvement
TEAM SUPPORT:
Rachel Mackenzie & Angela Atkinson
CHAIR:
Gavin Scurr
COMMITMENT REQUIRED:
Meeting frequency and Terms of Reference are to be agreed, and participants will need to sign a confidentiality statement
Sustainable Industry
PURPOSE:
To develop and implement an industry sustainability strategy including social license and workforce
DELIVERABLES:
- Provide a platform for advocacy both proactive and reactive
- Identify and address emerging issues
- Be recognised as a proactive and credible employer
TEAM SUPPORT:
Rachel Mackenzie & Claire McCrory
CHAIR:
Rob King
COMMITMENT REQUIRED:
Meeting frequency and Terms of Reference are to be agreed, and participants will need to sign a confidentiality statement
Sub-committee membership is open to anyone who is a grower in the Australian berry industries, or who is a participant in our industry supply chains, research or advocacy organisations.
To nominate to join a sub-committee, please answer these questions:
- Why do you want to be a part of this sub-committee?
- What skills & experience can you bring to the group?
- What geographic region do you cover?
- What berry type do you have expertise in?
Send completed forms to Rachel Mackenzie rachelmackenzie@berries.net.au by COB 6/12/24
Notes:
You can nominate to join more than one sub-committee. You will be required to sign a confidentiality statement. Sub-committee membership requires a one-year commitment.
