Growers and industry professionals from across Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia recognised for outstanding contributions
Apple and Pear Australia (Apal) has announced the successful recipients of the 2026 APAL Awards for Excellence, recognising outstanding leadership, innovation and service across the Australian apple and pear industry.
This year, eight individuals and businesses have been recognised across seven award categories for their exceptional contributions to the growth and success of the sector. The 2026 APAL Awards for Excellence recipients include:
Lifetime Achievement Award – Rosie Savio of P Savio & Co and Stephen Tancred of Orchard Services
Rosie Savio has played an instrumental role in the growth and success of one of Stanthorpe’s most respected orchard businesses. Following the passing of her husband Frank Savio in 1975, she worked alongside the Savio family to help build a highly successful apple growing, packing and marketing operation.
Over several decades, Savio has overseen the business’s administration, packing shed operations, quality assurance systems, payroll and market coordination, managing the complex systems and compliance requirements involved in running a large-scale orchard operation. She was also responsible for introducing computer systems to modernise business processes and support the family’s value-added apple juice business.
Savio served as a director on the Apal board for nine years and has been recognised for her commitment to advocacy, leadership and supporting the broader industry. Known for her humility, dedication and willingness to help others, Savio remains highly respected throughout the Australian apple and pear industry.
Stephen Tancred has contributed to the Queensland and Australian apple industries throughout his entire professional career, first with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and later through his consultancy business, Orchard Services.
Over more than four decades, Tancred has led extensive research, development and extension work focused on integrated pest and disease management, irrigation monitoring, fruit quality improvement and new variety development. He was a co-breeder of the Australian disease-resistant apple Kalei and was the first scientist to demonstrate and publish findings on the use of pheromone mating disruption to control codling moth on large commercial orchards.
Tancred has also been a passionate advocate for the apple industry, contributing to the Apal Fireblight Taskforce, Future Orchards programme and numerous industry committees and grower associations. Widely recognised for his technical expertise and willingness to share knowledge, Tancred has organised more than 60 grower field days and seminars across Queensland since 1984.
Grower of the Year – Paul Priest of Priest Bros Orchards
Paul Priest from Priest Bros Orchards has been recognised for his commitment to innovation, orchard efficiency and the consistent production of premium-quality apples.
A fourth-generation grower, Priest has spent more than two decades modernising orchard operations through the adoption of technologies including high-density plantings, bird lasers, picking platforms and precision orchard management systems. Priest Bros Orchards is recognised throughout the industry for consistently producing premium fruit with high packout rates and strong market performance.
Priest is also committed to sharing knowledge with the broader industry through orchard walks and grower engagement activities and is recognised for his dedication to quality and continuous improvement.
Industry Rising Star – Damien Silm of Cedar Creek Orchard
Damien Silm is a fourth-generation orchardist and plays a leading role in managing both orchard operations and the juice production business at Cedar Creek Orchard in New South Wales.
Silm oversees orchard production across apples, persimmons and stonefruit while also managing the orchard’s growing apple juice business, which now produces approximately 700,000 litres annually. He is actively involved in agritourism initiatives and research projects and is committed to adopting modern horticultural practices including sustainable irrigation and orchard management systems.
Widely recognised for his leadership and passion for the industry, Silm represents the next generation of innovative Australian orchardists.
Women in Horticulture Award – Nardia Stacy of Pomewest
As executive manager of Pomewest since 2011, Nardia Stacy has been a passionate advocate for Western Australian apple and pear growers and a highly respected leader within the horticulture industry.
Stacy has played a significant role in strengthening the visibility and reputation of WA-grown apples and pears through strategic marketing, industry advocacy and grower engagement. She has also been instrumental in implementing and promoting maturity standards that support consistent fruit quality and improved market performance across the WA industry.
Known for her collaborative leadership style, commitment to growers and dedication to supporting women in horticulture, Stacy continues to make an important contribution to the future of the Australian apple and pear industry.
Research & Extension Provider of the Year – Alessio Scalisi of Agriculture Victoria
Alessio Scalisi is a senior research scientist at Agriculture Victoria’s Tatura SmartFarm and is recognised for his work developing innovative technologies and smart orchard systems for the apple industry.
His research focuses on integrating advanced sensor networks, automation technologies and precision agriculture tools to improve orchard performance, fruit quality and sustainability. Scalisi is heavily involved in the Hort Innovation-funded PIPS 4 Profit projects and works closely with growers and researchers to ensure practical, industry-focused outcomes.
A passionate collaborator and communicator, Scalisi is widely respected for supporting industry events, mentoring students and helping drive innovation across the Australian apple industry.
Agritourism Award – Nightingale Bros of Nightingale Bros
The Nightingale family has been growing apples in Victoria’s alpine region for more than 60 years and is well known for creating engaging agritourism experiences that connect consumers with orchard life.
Their Wandiligong produce store and orchard experience welcomes thousands of visitors each year, offering direct-to-consumer apple sales, value-added products, educational experiences and opportunities for visitors to learn more about modern apple production.
Nightingale Bros is recognised for promoting the Australian apple industry through community engagement, innovation and a strong commitment to showcasing locally grown fruit.
Orchard Operations Excellence Award – Lauren Fankhauser of Fankhauser Apples
Lauren Fankhauser has been recognised for her leadership and operational excellence in managing the Fankhauser Apples packing shed and orchard operations.
Fankhauser plays a critical role in ensuring fruit quality, food safety and efficient workflow management during harvest while leading and supporting orchard staff and packing teams. She is also recognised for her proactive approach to customer engagement and understanding market expectations.
Passionate about promoting horticulture and educating younger generations about fresh produce, Fankhauser is currently developing a children’s book focused on apples and orchards to encourage healthy eating and greater awareness of agriculture among Victorian school children.
“Every year, the Apal Awards for Excellence recognise the outstanding skill, dedication and enthusiasm that exists throughout our industry,” said Apal CEO Phil Turnbull.
“This year’s recipients are an outstanding example of the innovation, resilience and leadership that continues to strengthen the Australian apple and pear industry.
“It is particularly special to recognise two Lifetime Achievement Award recipients this year – Rosie Savio from Queensland and Stephen Tancred from Queensland – whose decades of contribution have helped shape both their local growing regions and the broader national industry.
“We are also proud to introduce the Orchard Operations Excellence Award in 2026, recognising the highly skilled people working behind the scenes in orchard operations and management who are critical to the success of our industry.
“To Paul Priest, our Grower of the Year, and to all of this year’s recipients, congratulations on your dedication and contribution to the future of the Australian apple and pear industry. We look forward to celebrating your achievements with colleagues, family and friends at the Apal Awards for Excellence and Industry Forum event in Melbourne in July,” Turnbull said.
The Apal Awards for Excellence celebrate the exceptional contributions and accomplishments of leading growers, researchers, innovators and businesses across the pome fruit sector.
The 2026 award recipients will be recognised during the Apal Awards for Excellence evening at Morris House in Melbourne on Sunday 26 July 2026, held as part of the Apal Industry Forum.
