A GROWER, exporter and researcher are among the five new members appointed to Horticulture Australia’s revamped Avocado Industry Advisory Committee (IAC).
The new Members of the IAC were selected after an extensive selection process which included written application assessment, interviews and assessment by an independent selection panel.
The five new members are:
- Western Australian grower Wayne Franceschi
- Supply chain and export specialist Anthony Walsh
- DAFFQ extension horticulturist Simon Newett
- Northern New South Wales grower Jack Archer
- Tri-state grower and director of Avocados Australia Limited (AAL) Barry Avery
The Avocado IAC is tasked with the development and oversight of the delivery of the five year Strategic Investment Plan for avocado R&D and marketing levies that are managed by HAL.
A HAL statement said each member brings specific expertise in the areas of research, extension, agribusiness, avocado growing, export and the supply chain.
HAL has also appointed Ms Christine Hawkins as the new Independent Officer on the Avocado IAC.
The new IAC members join existing committee members: Avocado Australia Limited (AAL) chairman and North Queensland grower Jim Kochi; Southern Queensland grower Daryl Boardman; Central Queensland growers Lachlan Donovan and John Walsh - all of whom are current directors of AAL; and the IAC Chair Bob Granger.
Past IAC members that are no longer part of the new IAC are Russell Delroy, Peter Annand, Tom Silver and Chris Nelson.