Ian owns an operates a 150 hectare farm near Lake Boga, Vic. The property has been in the McAlister family for more than fifty years, and will continue withthe next generation starting 2006. Ian spent twenty eight years selling his own fresh produce at the Melbourne markets. Ian grows stone fruit, olives and grapes and his specialty is apricots, sold both for domestic and export markets. Ian is a keen sportsman and community minded person, and has been an active member of sporting bodies and community organisations.
Fred’s 60 ha farm is located at Stanthorpe and is planted to apples, pears and summer fruit. Fred began his professional life as a banker, and then he managed a motor vehicle and machinery division before turning to farming.
Andrew grows cherries, apricots, peaches and nectarines for the domestic and export market at Wangaratta in north east Victoria. He is a 4th generation orchardist and has been involved in the family business for over 20 years. Andrew’s involvement in the business includes the growing and production and packing and marketing of the fruit. Andrew is also a member of the Victorian Cherry Growers Association where he holds the position of Vice President.
Adrian and the Conti family own and operate a 100 hectare of orchards in CobramVictoria and near Griffith NSW. The Cobram property has been in the Contifamily for more than fifty five years, and the Griffith property was developed by him and his father, Joe Conti a former board member of SAL which will commence production this harvest season. Adrian’s family grows apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums, apples and pears; all sold for domestic and export markets. Adrian has embraced the challenge to provide a positive representation for growers in relation to the major issues confronting industry; water for irrigation, coping with the present difficult economic times and accessing export markets. Also, importantly ensuring that his generation of growers are kept well informed about the issues affecting the Summerfruit industry as a whole, making for a viable and sustainable future.
Mike joins the SAL Board from a consultancy background based around quality control systems, food safety, cold chain management and training. He has recently taken over the daily management of the JW Kirkwood group’s Tasmanian orchard in the Coal River valley, near Hobart. This orchard has 94,000 producing tree’s that include apricots, peaches, plums, cherries and a recent planting of 4,500 new varietal apple trees. Along the way Mike has successfully developed some value added products such as chutneys and ice cream flavourings from reject fruit. Mike’s Industry focus is on quality assurance coupled to marketing. He sees a strong need for strategic knowledge such production detail in order to successfully develop marketing campaigns.
Ray is located on the North Coast of NSW and is President of Low Chill Australia