INDUSTRY pioneers and innovators were acknowledged at Citrus Australia's Annual Awards for 2024.
The awards were held as part of the Australian Citrus Congress Gala Dinner on the Sunshine Coast last month.
Presented in four categories, the annual awards recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions made by members of the Australian citrus industry.
The dinner also provided the opportunity for delegates to mingle and reflect on the information presented at the conference.
The winners were:
Emerging Leader Award
Ben Knispel, Nippy's Waikerie Producers, SA
BEN Knispel is a third-generation member of the South Australian-based Nippy's business.
He started his career working on the factory floor, doing everything from stacking pallets to driving trucks, before leaving home to become an accountant.
When Mr Knispel expressed interest in returning to the family business, his father, Jeff, explained he no longer needed a floor hand but that accounting experience he had gained might come in handy.
Under his current role of co-managing director, Mr Knispel has implemented a number of changes at Nippy's improving the business' efficiency, while reducing its environmental footprint.
Value Chain Innovator Award
Allen Jenkin, Ironbark Citrus, Qld
ALLEN Jenkin's citrus journey is truly one of innovation. He started his career in the citrus industry with no more than a dozen lemon trees in his backyard.
Every orchard Mr Jenkin and his wife, Sue, have developed since has been done so from scratch under the Ironbark Citrus name.
Those who know Allen best describe him as a relentless innovator and a fearless pioneer.
This is exemplified through his variety development efforts, most significantly when Mr Jenkin championed a 15-year varietal development journey with the Royal Honey Murcott mandarin.
Mr Jenkin's involvement as a founding member of the Queensland Citrus Exporters Group,and the subsequent raising of a voluntary levy for a joint marketing campaign in markets such as Thailand have proven to be significant for industry.
Service to Industry Award
Malcolm Smith, Qld Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Qld
FOR more than 20 years, Malcom Smith has passionately served the Australian industry as a citrus breeder.
He has a proven track record when it comes to the commercialisation of new citrus varieties and rootstocks.
His work and reputation are respected both nationally and internationally, through strong global collaborations with fellow researchers and breeders in South America, Europe and Asia.
Through his work, Mr Smith continues to help prepare the Australian citrus industry to deal with its challenges and capture its opportunities.
Mr Smith's work with Australian native citrus species has been recognised worldwide as a significant piece in the puzzle in developing resistance to HLB.
Mr Smith commenced this work on his own initiative and it may serve to provide a significant outcome for the global citrus industry.
Citrus Australia Hall of Fame Awards for 2024 Inductees
Nick Ulcoq, Qld
Nick Ulcoq, who is recently retired, was widely regarded as a voice of clarity and reason in the citrus industry - a cool but firm hand during debate and conflict.
Mr Ulcoq began his working life as a teacher but his love of the orchard saw him transfer his classroom skills towards growers and government.
During his career in the citrus industry, Mr Ulcoq has served on the Queensland Citrus Growers Association for many years, a tenure without bias and with great patience.
He was a key conduit of information during the citrus canker outbreak in Emerald in 2004, meeting with politicians during the day and relaying messages back to growers at all hours of the night.
He brought reason to conversations and was calming in times of crisis.
Mr Ulcoq remained a passionate advocate for the industry.
Citrus Australia chief executive officer Nathan Hancock described Mr Ulcoq as a significant influence in the successful transition from the Australian Citrus Growers model to the current format of Citrus Australia.
"Nick understood the value of a unified voice for growers on common issues, at a time that market access ranked high on industry's list of priorities," Mr Hancock said.
Greg and Sue Chislett, Chislett Farms, Victoria
AS a team, Greg and Sue Chislett, Chislett Farms are known for keeping busy and thinking ahead.
As a result, they have set a new standard for excellence in the industry.
Highly respected and both incredibly self-motivated, their shared passion for the citrus industry has driven the development of a business built on the philosophy of industry best practice.
The Chisletts' interest in budwood and varietal development has turned a third-generation family-run orchard into multiple farms and a world class, wholesale container nursery, supplying citrus, avocado and pistachio trees to industry.
Both Mr and Mrs Chislett remain highly engaged in the workings of the citrus industry, travelling the world to learn about citrus production and conducting endless research to keep pace with an ever-changing environment.
Mr Hancock said the Chisletts continue to passionately innovate and improve, but they are also incredibly welcoming of newcomers to the industry and have taken many a new citrus grower under their wings over their journey.
"They epitomise the theme of this congress, which is to drive profitability through research, connection and direction," he said.
