Burdekin cane growers toast a successful year
End of Year Sugar Celebration event at the Burdekin Theatre. A chance for those involved with the various NQ Dry Tropics sugar projects to celebrate a successful year. Sustainable Agriculture Program Manager Rob Hunt addresses attendees.
There was plenty of festive fun and laughter at the Burdekin Theatre last week as nearly 60 growers, extension officers and service providers attended the NQ Dry Tropics End Of Year Sugar Celebration.
It was a chance to come together and raise a glass in recognition of a productive year across a variety of irrigation, nutrient and pesticide efficiency projects taking place in the lower Burdekin.
Staff from NQ Dry Tropics, Sugar Research Australia, Farmacist and Aglantis updated attendees on the progress of various regional initiatives supporting growers to increase their bottom line while minimising water quality impacts.
But the night was mainly about socialising, with the sugar trivia quiz a particular highlight.
NQ Dry Tropics Sustainable Agriculture Program Manager Rob Hunt said strong partnerships across the sector were helping to ensure funding translated into on-ground success.
“Tremendous progress has been made towards improving irrigation, nutrient and pesticide management on farms across the lower Burdekin,” Mr Hunt said.
“Growers and industry have been enthusiastically engaged in a range of on-ground projects, and all of the delivery partners have been working overtime to guide and assist farmers who are implementing over 400 individual projects on their farms.
“This hard work has borne fruit, with additional investment coming into the region from iconic Queensland Beer brand XXXX, to complement the projects funded through the partnership between the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and the Australian Government’s Reef Trust.”
Catching up are, from left, grower Rhonda Mann, BBIFMAC manager Arwen Rickert, and grower Lisa Pozzebon.
Pictured, from left, are growers Heath and Fiona Salter and Fiona and Paul Villis.
Pictured are, from left: Sarah Willis (NQ Dry Tropics), with Annie, Scott, Peter and Brenda Matthews.
Pictured are, from left, Peter Rubiolo, Armin Wessel, and John and Brian Gorizio.
Mark Rossato shares a laugh with Sonya Hesp.
Pictured, from left, are Aglantis’ Luke Malan with growers Sharon and Anthony Contzonis.
Growers Denis Pozzebon and Armin Wessel.
Burdekin Mayor and Deputy Chair NQ Dry Tropics Lyn McLaughlin is flanked by growers Brenda Matthews and Sharon Contzonis.
Growers Amy and Aaron Linton.
Growers Sonya and Chris Hesp SRA manager Terry Granshaw (right).
NQ Dry Tropics staffers Sarah Willis, Carlo Mattone (centre) and Darcy Roeger.
Cheers… pictured, from left, are: Farmacist’s Chris Doblo, Aglantis’ Luke Malan and NQ Dry Tropics’ Michael Hobbs.
BSP’s Rob Milla, left, with growers Jack Edwards and Joseph Magatello (right).