The best and brightest in Australian horticulture in 2025 have been given due recognition at the Horticulture Awards for Excellence at the Hort Connections 2025 Gala Dinner in Brisbane.
Nine winners representing the best in production, research, education, marketing and community involvement were honoured.
As well the awards recognised the growing role of women in all sectors of the industry and gave special recognition to the next generation.
They were congratulated by AUSVEG chief executive Michael Coote who says not only did the winners achieve significant advances for their wider horticulture industry, “all the nominees have made a massive industry contribution, and I want to assure them this has not been forgotten or ignored”.
Winner profiles
Syngenta Grower of the Year
JEREMY HAW, Hussey & Co
Celebrating 50 years, Hussey & Co – led by Jeremy Haw – is a leading Australian grower, processor, and distributor of premium baby salad leaves. With a vertically integrated national presence, the company supplies major retailers and exports to seven countries. Innovative processing enhances food safety and quality, while precision agriculture reduces waste. A solar farm offsets all peak daytime energy use, underscoring their commitment to sustainability. Jeremy’s focus on excellence, employee growth, and industry impact has established Hussey & Co as a leader in its field.
Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year
CRAIG DINGLE, Kalfresh Vegetables
Craig Dingle joined Kalfresh as a graduate in 2017 and swiftly advanced to head of agriculture, now overseeing more than 2000 acres across three farming regions. In this role, he implements world-class agricultural practices, leading improvement projects with data-driven precision, deep agronomic expertise, and strong grower relationships. Craig’s attention to detail and collaborative approach have established him as a respected leader in the industry. His innovative contributions include introducing in-field robots under the Queensland Smart Farms Initiative and deploying cushioned bin-loading trailers and in-field graders, which reduced onion handling and touchpoints by up to 80 per cent.
Bayer Researcher of the Year
DR PENNY MEASHAM, QUEENSLAND DPI
Dr Penny Measham is an internationally recognised scientist and has a long and solid history of supporting the Australian horticulture sector through science. Her own research efforts have had real world impact in plant and insect physiology, with outcomes for plant productivity, plant protection and pest management, and pre-and post-harvest fruit quality. Her contribution to horticulture extends to advancing trade and exports with a strong legacy in building capacity for market access research through the eight-year Fresh and Secure Trade Alliance.
Butler Market Gardens Environmental & Sustainability
ANGELA CANDELARO, Tripod Farmers Group
Tripod Farmers Group leads in sustainable horticulture, as one of the first in Australia to adopt the Carbon Robotics Laser Weeder to reduce herbicide use and improve soil health. They worked closely with the US team to adapt it to Australian conditions. Their CHEP partnership saved 1877 tonnes of CO2-e, 10,807kL of water, and diverted 514 tonnes of waste. They’ve moved to recyclable cartons, use on-site water recycling, and invested in efficient European packhouse equipment – setting a benchmark for practical, scalable sustainability in fresh produce.
UPL Tech & Innovation
TROY QUALISCHEFSKI, Qualipac
Qualipac is an Australian owned enterprise growing and packing vegetables. Qualipac is always on the lookout for continuous improvement options, including the introduction of new ag tech, and has become a leader in adoption of ag tech through partnering with the Department of Primary Industries Queensland Smart Farms initiative to test new technology. Working with DPI, Qualipac has tested an autonomous robotic weeder and seeder. Benefits include labour savings; yield increases and reduced herbicide use.
Muirs Community Stewardship Award
SAM LICCIARDELLO, Orchard 1 Sixty
Sam Licciardello is a passionate grower and champion of community engagement, not only on his own orchard, but also celebrating the WA growing region. Host and organiser of the Donnybrook Long Table Lunch and the Easter Apple Festival, Sam showcases local apples and pears through immersive, paddock-to-plate experiences that attract thousands of visitors each year. A long-time community leader, Sam continues to promote WA’s apple and pear industry with energy, authenticity and deep industry pride, sharing his commitment and growing expertise.
Hort Innovation Exporter of the Year Award
MARK KABLE, Harvest Moon
Harvest Moon, a leading Australian fresh produce company, has been exporting vegetables for more than 35 years to markets including Southeast Asia, Japan, Taiwan, the Middle East, and Europe. In the past 12 months, the company has shipped more than 6500 tonnes of produce – a nearly 50 per cent increase – expanding beyond its established carrot and onion exports to include significant volumes of broccoli, cauliflower, pumpkin, and watermelon. Leveraging a national network of more than 80 growers across Tasmania, Victoria, NSW, and Queensland, Harvest Moon maximises offshore shipments, helping to reduce domestic oversupply and protect grower returns by providing alternative markets for their produce. The Harvest Moon brand is recognised internationally for its quality and service, with its products featured in major supermarkets across Asia. The company actively participates in global trade shows and industry initiatives, reinforcing its reputation and contributing to the advancement of Australian horticulture in export markets.
NAB Women in Horticulture
MELITA JURGENS, Vee Jay’s Kalfresh
Melita Jurgens leads by example by empowering young women to advance their careers in horticulture and supports them to take on leadership positions. Melita is a co-director of Vee Jay’s Kalfresh, a joint venture in Bowen, North Queensland, producing certified organic and conventional fresh produce. Melita champions sustainable and regenerative farming practices across 1000ha of cropping and was integral to VJK becoming Australia’s largest producer of field-grown baby capsicums, and a leading national supplier of commercial-scale organics.
VISY Industry Impact
CLAIRE MCCLELLAND, AFPA
For over a decade, Claire has been one of the most dedicated and effective advocates for the Australian horticulture sector, achieving outcomes in the areas of workforce, trade, biosecurity, sustainability and more. Her practical approach to challenges and unwavering commitment to protecting the industry’s viability has made a lasting impact on fresh produce businesses nationwide. Claire’s ongoing effort continues to shape a stronger, more resilient horticulture sector – delivering results today while laying the foundation for future growth.
Seeka Marketer of the Year Award
SONIA GABAUER, Driscoll’s Australia
Driscoll’s Australia launched an omnichannel summer campaign, the ‘Sweetest Batch Strawberries Campaign’ to showcase the premium flavour and experience of its Sweetest Batch Strawberries. Led by Sonia Gabauer, the campaign combined sampling, lifestyle activations, national media coverage, and retail media partnerships, headlined by high-profile lifestyle moments like the Bondi Beach pop-up and the Moonlight Cinema Romance Week sponsorship where 3500 premium samples were handed out during each activation. Results were significant with A$17.3 million in campaign sales, and a 22 percent increase in online sales.
For more information about the Horticulture Awards for Excellence 2025, please visit hortconnections.com.au/awards.
