Winners to be announced at Hort Connections Gala Dinner of 6 June

Over 80 of the Australian horticulture industry’s finest growers, researchers, and innovators have been named as finalists across ten categories of the Horticulture Awards for Excellence 2025.

The awards recognise excellence and outstanding contributions from across the national industry, with finalists from all states and a range of different sectors nominated.

The awards ceremony will be held during the Hort Connections Gala Dinner held on Friday 6 June, marking the culmination of Hort Connections 2025 in Brisbane. As the Southern Hemisphere’s largest horticulture industry Conference, Hort Connections is jointly hosted by Ausveg and the International Fresh Produce Association Australia-New Zealand (IFPA ANZ). Hort Connections 2025 is being held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 4-6 June, with delegates attending from around Australia, New Zealand, and the globe.

Ausveg CEO Micheal Coote said: “This year’s award nominees represent the best and brightest of Australian horticulture, as well as the future. Their impressive achievements and contributions to the industry are an inspiration to us all, and I wish all nominees best of luck,”

IFPA ANZ managing director Belinda Wilson said: “Each year the Horticulture Awards for Excellence are an opportunity to acknowledge, recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of leading growers, businesses and individuals who make up Australia’s diverse horticulture industry. The fact we once again have a full field of deserving nominees, reflects the incredible achievements and extraordinary innovations that our sector continues to deliver.”

Horticulture Awards for Excellence 2025 finalists

Syngenta Grower of the Year

  • Bryce Henderson, FreshGro Australia, QLD
  • Brett Squibb, RW Squibb & Sons Pty Ltd, TAS
  • Cody Dennis, Cherry Creek Estate, QLD
  • Matt Kleyn, Lakeshore Farms, QLD
  • Jeremy Haw, Hussey & Co, VIC
  • Coby Badcock, Badcock Ag, TAS
  • Salvatore Leonardi, Cherry Creek Estate, QLD
  • Craig Van Rooyen, Van Rooyen Family Trust, QLD
  • Richard Gorman, Kalfresh Vegetables, QLD
  • Nathan Clackson, Barden Farms, QLD
  • Kerrie Galley, Costa, VIC
  • Darren Rathjen, Delta Produce, SA
  • Tripod Farmers Group, VIC

Seeka Marketer of the Year Award

  • Elyse Allum, Hort Innovation – Australian Bananas ‘Banana Gym Pass’
  • Sonia Gabauer, Driscoll’s Australia – Sweetest Batch Strawberries Campaign
  • Sally Burtonwood, Zespri International – Healthier Ways

Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year

  • Bryce Henderson, FreshGro Australia, QLD
  • Oliver Rennie, Pacific Ag, NSW
  • Craig Dingle, Kalfresh Vegetables, QLD
  • Travis Georgopoulos, GV Independent Packers Pty Ltd, VIC
  • Cody Badcock, Badcock Ag, TAS
  • Salvatore Leonardi, Cherry Creek Estate, QLD
  • Jack Cafcakis, Cafcakis Nominees Pty Ltd, SA
  • Dr Chris Cannizzaro, Macadamia Farm Management Pty Ltd, QLD
  • Anthony De leso, Thorndon Park Produce, SA
  • Ty Dickson, April Sun Farms Pty Ltd, VIC
  • Paul Cafcakis, Cafcakis Produce, SA
  • Dean Gazzola, Gazzola Farms, VIC

Bayer Researcher of the Year

  • Dr Audrey Leo, Simplot Australia Pty Ltd, VIC
  • Hannah James, AgroFresh, VIC
  • Andrew Macnish, Qld Department of Primary Industry, QLD
  • Thomas Jeffries, Elders, SA
  • Penny Measham, Qld Department of Primary Industries, QLD
  • Austin Reid, Rural Business Support, SA

Butler Market Gardens Environment & Sustainability

  • Bryce Henderson, FreshGro, QLD
  • Troy Qualischefski, Qualipac, QLD
  • Angela Candelaro, Tripod Farmers Group, VIC
  • Kevin Montagu, Colo Consulting, NSW
  • Cody Dennis, Cherry Creek Estate, QLD
  • Detpak, Detpak, SA
  • Cynthia Tago, Nutrano Produce Group-Abbotsleigh Farm, QLD
  • Flavorite, Flavorite, VIC 

UPL Tech Innovation Award

  • Imran Raza, Agri Smart, Aus/NZ
  • Greg Calvert, FreshChain Systems, NSW
  • Troy Qualischefski, Qualipac, QLD
  • Andrew Young Queensland Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries Cooperative Ltd (Brismark), QLD
  • Matt Flowerday, LandKind, New Zealand
  • Charles Simons, BioScout Australia, NSW
  • James Loechel, Talia Farms, SA
  • Ty Dickson, April Sun Farms Pty Ltd, VIC
  • Thomas Jefferies, Elders, SA

Muirs Community Stewardship Award

  • Sam Licciardello, Orchard 1 Sixty, WA
  • Matt Kleyn, Lakeshore Farms, QLD
  • Anthony De Leso, Thorndon Park Produce, SA
  • Matt Zagami, AvaGrow Farms, VIC
  • Tiana Leonardi, Cherry Creek Estate, QLD

Hort Innovation Exporter of the Year

  • Francisco Riesco, AustChilli Group, QLD
  • Joe Saina, A.S. BARR Group, Qld
  • Enrique Rossi, Budou Farms, VIC
  • Alastair Scott, Hannay Douglas Pty Ltd, QLD
  • Harvest Moon, VIC

NAB Women in Horticulture

  • Natasha Shields, Peninsula Fresh Organics, VIC
  • Melita Jurgens, Vee Gay’s Kalfresh, QLD
  • Gail Woods, Fresh Markets Australia, QLD
  • Nicole Giblett, Newton Orchards, WA
  • Sharon Hammill, Qld Department of Primary Industries, QLD
  • Tiana Leonardi, Cherry Creek Estate, QLD
  • Concetta (Connie) Taylor, Taylors Family Produce, QLD
  • Monika Fiebig, Monika’s Organics, SA
  • Kate Volp, Nutrano Produce Group, NSW
  • Julie O’Halloran, Qld Department of Primary Industries, QLD
  • Lam Phan, H & L Hydroponics, SA
  • Jill Briggs, Affectus, VIC

VISY Industry Impact

  • Monika Fiebig, Monika’s Organics, SA
  • Paul Elton, AGnVET Services, VIC
  • Claire McClelland, AFPA, VIC
  • Kelvin Montagu, Colo Consulting, VIC
  • Cody Dennis, Cherry Creek Estate, QLD
  • Charles Simons, BioScout Australia, NSW
  • Scott Wallace, Hort 360 Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers, QLD

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