The Australian horticulture industry’s best and brightest have been recognised in the 2023 Horticulture Awards for Excellence, presented on Wednesday 7 June at the Hort Connections Gala Dinner in Adelaide.
Over 1500 horticulture industry members from around the country came together at the Adelaide Convention Centre to celebrate the significant contributions of nine of the sector’s leading growers, researchers and suppliers.
The annual Horticulture Awards for Excellence are the industry’s most prestigious honours, and cover a range of areas in horticulture, including recognising outstanding growers in multiple categories, as well as researchers, innovative agribusinesses and the industry’s leading exporters.
“Australia’s horticulture industry is privileged to have some of the world’s most innovative and hard-working growers, businesses and researchers. The Horticulture Awards for Excellence provide an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the incredible contributions of these industry leaders,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.
“The horticulture sector is critical to the health and wellbeing of Australians and their families. Our award winners not only lift the capability and sustainability of our industry, but they also exemplify the great work Australian horticulture undertakes to ensure and improve the community’s access to healthy, safe food.”
“There was a very impressive list of award nominees this year, each of whom has made a valuable contribution to the industry and demonstrated very clear passion and commitment. I would like to congratulate each of them, and especially our winners, and thank them all for their continued dedication to our industry.”
The winners of the Hort Connections 2023 National Awards for Excellence were as follows:
- Pirrone Brothers, QLD – Syngenta Grower of the Year
- Robert Arvier, West Pine Ag, Tas – Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year
- Angela Ruffo, Tripod Farmers Group, Vic – Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture Award
- Frank Frappa, Premier Fresh Australia, Vic – Hort Innovation Exporter of the Year
- Michael Rettke, SARDI, SA – Bayer Researcher of the Year
- Bruce Scott, Campbells Fertiliser, Vic – Visy Industry Impact Award
- Allan McGann, drumMASTER (Agsafe), NSW – E.E. Muir & Sons Community Stewardship Award
- Fresh Select, Vic – Butler Market Gardens Environment and Sustainability Award
- Kylie Hall, Hectre, NZ – UPL Tech Innovation Award
The Horticulture Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner was the capstone event of Hort Connections 2023, the premier event in Australian horticulture. Delegates came together at the Adelaide Convention Centre for the three-day event, which featured a trade show with over 200 local and global supply chain partners and presentations from the industry’s leading thinkers.
