Nominees today announced for the inaugural Growth Awards – recognising innovation and leadership in Australasian agribusiness
- Seventy-two nominations were received for the 2014 Growth Awards, showcasing best-practice contributions from growers and agronomists.
- The Growth Awards recognise innovation and leadership in Australasian agribusiness at a local level.
- Winners will have the opportunity to tour the UK and Europe in April 2015.
Syngenta today announced the nominees for the inaugural Growth Awards, from an exceptional pool of growers and advisors across Australia and New Zealand.
The Growth Awards recognise innovation and leadership in Australasian agribusiness at a local level.
According to Paul Luxton, Syngenta Territory Head, Australasia, nominations were of a high standard, ensuring a difficult few weeks ahead for the judging panel.
“The calibre of nominations received for this inaugural initiative, is positive to see,” Mr Luxton said. “It indicates that sustainability and community are an increasingly integral part of farming.
“Today’s growers and advisors are on the cutting edge of research and development, they show incredible resilience under difficult conditions. The nominations have highlighted some excellent examples of local innovation and improvement towards sustainable farming practices.
“The Growth Awards recognise the role of growers and advisors in ensuring the region’s food security for the future, but importantly, the Awards recognise the contribution being made at a local level, to Australian and New Zealand agriculture.”
Seventy-two nominations for the 2014 Growth Awards were received, showcasing best-practice contributions from growers and advisors across one or more of the three Award categories of Productivity; Sustainability; and Community & People.
The Awards support The Good Growth Plan, which was launched by Syngenta globally late last year, with the goal to make a lasting and positive impact on the farmers and rural communities who provide the world’s food security and support the long-term sustainability of our planet.
Following the announcement of nominees, 25 Australasian finalists will be announced later this month. Nine winners will be selected by an independent panel including representatives from the Australian Farm Institute, Sefton & Associates, Rimfire Resources and WWF – Australia.
The winners will be announced at the Growth Awards dinner in Sydney on 11 December 2014. The winners will have the opportunity to tour the UK and Europe in April 2015.
For more information, or to have an interview with one of the Regional Nominees, please contact Kate White +61 418 254 296.
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About the Growth Awards and The Good Growth Plan
The Awards underpin The Good Growth Plan, which was launched by Syngenta globally late last year, with the goal to make a lasting and positive impact on the farmers and rural communities who provide the world’s food security and support the long-term sustainability of our planet.
The Good Growth Plan tackles the challenges of producing more with less, protecting the viability of farmland and promoting prosperous rural communities, which are just as relevant here in Australia as they are globally. You can find out more about The Good Growth Plan at www.goodgrowthplan.com.
The Good Growth Plan tackles the challenges of producing more with less, protecting the viability of farmland and promoting prosperous rural communities, which are just as relevant here in Australia as they are globally. Syngenta’s business, and the world’s food security, depend on sustainable natural resources, healthy ecosystems and thriving rural communities and by 2020 Syngenta commits to:
- Increase the world’s major crop yields by 20 per cent.
- Improve fertility on 10 million hectares of threatened farmland.
- Enhance biodiversity on five million hectares of farmland.
- Raise 20 million smallholders’ productivity by half.
- Train 20 million farm workers on safety practices.
- Strive for fair labour conditions throughout our supply chain.
Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 28,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us please go to www.syngenta.com.au.
Nominees for the 2014 Growth Awards
Productivity
Daniel Adams - Cockaleechie, SA | Andrew Mckillop - Bundaberg, QLD |
Craig Barrett - Ayr, QLD | Duncan McLeod - Timaru, NZ |
Mick Broad - Cummins, SA | Andrew McMahen - Manangatang, VIC |
Shane Butler - Ashburton, NZ | John Mitolo - Virginia, SA |
Graeme Callaghan - Coonamble, NSW | Stuart Modra - Cummins, SA |
Brad Cogan - Moree, Goondiwindi, NSW | Stephen Moore - Werribee South, VIC |
Timothy Condon - Harden, NSW | Paul Pezzaniti - Virginia, SA |
Rob Cox - Pukekohe, NZ | David Pfeiffer - Perth, WA |
Pat Cummins - Yarrawonga, VIC | Michael Pfitzner Rankin Springs, NSW |
Robert Hart - Old Junee, NSW | Ben Pontifex - Kangaroo, Island, SA |
Corey Hogarth - Launceston, TAS | Lynden Rohde - Moree, NSW |
Matt Hood - Lockyer Valley, QLD | Chris Roche - Gulargambone, NSW |
Terry Horan - Launceston, TAS | Sue Rodda - Quandialla, NSW |
Mick Jensen - Moree, NSW | Andrew Russell - Rutherglen, VIC |
Murray Kelly - Canterbury, NZ | Greg Teske - Gatton, QLD |
Ben Martin - Bowen, QLD | Scott Vaessen - Griffith, NSW |
Paul McCaskie - West Wyalong, NSW | Michael Zerk - Padthaway, Penola, SA |
Sustainability
Hamish Bligh - Brookstead, QLD | Chris Morrish - Canterbury, NZ |
David Cameron - Moora, WA | Andrew Newall - Horsham, VIC |
Aaron Candeloro - Toodyay, WA | Peter Newman - Geraldton, WA |
Paul Castor - Toowoomba, QLD | Andrew Pursehouse - Breeza, NSW |
Belinda Chase - Dalby, QLD | Mark Roberts - Speed, VIC |
Chris Davey - Kadina, SA | Craig Sharam - Bendigo, VIC |
Travis Eva - Brookton, WA | David Stead - York, WA |
Peter Greensill - Bundaberg, QLD | Ben Waterman - Werribee South, VIC |
Stuart Grigg - Ballan, VIC | Tally Matthews - Windsor, NSW |
Lachlan Mackay - Hastings, NZ |
Community & People
John Bruce - Barooga, NSW | Ross Hewson - Chertsey, Ashburton,NZ |
Adam Campbell - Corak, VIC | Murray Judd - Te Puke, NZ |
Andrew Craigie - La Trobe, TAS | Charlie Koch (Jnr) - Frances, SA |
Ian Crosthwaite - Kingaroy, QLD | Andrew McNeil - Hastings, NZ |
Barry Haskins - Griffith, NSW | Harry Trandos - North Perth, WA |