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Research in the Australian Cherry Industry: 2026 Winter Webinar Series

The 2026 Australian Cherry Industry Winter Webinar Series brought together researchers and industry specialists to share current research, practical insights and emerging developments relevant to cherry growers across Australia.

Hosted by the Extension and Communication for the Australian Cherry Industry project team, the four-part series explored key topics including pollination, fruit quality, cherry production in new and changing environments, and training and canopy systems.

Watch the full series below or view the playlist on the Cherry Growers Australia YouTube channel.

Webinar Replays

Webinar 1: Improving Pollination

Explore current research and practical strategies to support effective pollination, improve fruit set and maximise orchard productivity.

Speakers include:

  • Dr Raylea Rowbottom – Flies as Effective Pollinators for Horticulture
  • Dr Anushika De Silva – Optimising Pollination in Cherry Orchards

Webinar 2: Maximising Fruit Quality

Learn about current work focused on delivering consistent, high quality fruit to meet market expectations and improve returns.

Speakers include:

  • Mark Loeffen, Delytics – monitoring cherry supply chain quality project
  • Georgia Haenke, Hort Innovation – category performance and consumer insights

Webinar 3: Understanding Cherry Production in New Environments

This webinar explores changes to cherry production systems, including production under protective covers, climate considerations and new ways of managing cherry orchards.

Speakers include:

  • Dr Summer Song, NSW DPIRD – optimising protected cherry production
  • Oliver Overman, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture – protected cherry production case studies
  • Jessica Fearnley-Pattison, NSW DPIRD – drought resilience and climate adaptation

Webinar 4: Training and Canopy Systems

Discover how different training and canopy management approaches can influence tree performance, fruit quality, labour efficiency and long term orchard productivity.

Speakers include:

  • Ken Breen, Bioeconomy Science Institute – narrow orchard systems in cherries
  • Steve Scheding, Green Atlas – use of Cartographer in cherries
  • Shane Phillips, BioCentral Labs – chill accumulation and crop potential

Button: Watch Webinar 4

Project Acknowledgement

This webinar series was delivered through the Extension and Communication for the Australian Cherry Industry project, funded by Hort Innovation using the cherry research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.

Extension and Communication for the Australian Cherry Industry
Hort Innovation Cherry Fund

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Tony Hannaford

Director

Tony Hannaford is a cherry grower from South Australia, producing based predominantly in the Torrens Valley of the Adelaide Hills.

Tony’s family have a long history of orcharding. Tony introduced cherries in 1985 and now has multiple varieties spanning a long season with fruit delivered across Australia and the globe. This is all supported by the latest technology in the packing shed.

Tony has long supported and been active for the cherry industry – having also served on the Cherry Industry Strategic Investment Advisory Panel.

Nic Hansen

Director

Nic Hansen is a fourth-generation cherry grower based in Southern Tasmania and brings deep grower knowledge and long-standing industry involvement to the CGA Board.

Nic grows sweet cherries at Old Beach and is part of Hansen Orchards, one of Tasmania’s largest cherry growing businesses. He has previously represented Tasmania as the State Director on the CGA Board and has served on the HIA Cherry SIAP, contributing to national industry planning and decision-making.

Nic is currently serving his second term as President of Fruit Growers Tasmania. He brings a strong grower perspective, practical experience, and a commitment to effective industry leadership, supporting CGA’s role as the national peak body for Australian cherry growers.

Grant Piggott

Honorary Treasurer

Grant Piggott has been Chief Executive Officer of Fruit Producers SA, the grower association for cherries in South Australia since 2023 and served as its representative on the Cherry Growers Australia Board from June 2024.

He brings significant experience in finance, strategy and commercial management.  He is a qualified Chartered Accountant, a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors and has served for 15 years as an elected member in Local Government.

Grant treasures his childhood on a wheat sheep farm in the Upper North of South Australia, still owned by his family. He has maintained links to primary production for almost 30 years of his working career, primarily through his senior management role at the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA.

In his short tenure as industry representative, he has developed a passion for the successful growing and marketing of quality cherries. Grant is convinced of the deserved glamour status of cherries – healthy, photogenic, delicious, easy to eat and inextricably associated with the joy of Summer and Christmas.

Following his involvement as part of the team which guided the change of Cherry Growers Australia to a company limited by guarantee in May 2025, Grant was invited to serve as a Director on the Board in September 2025 and was appointed Treasurer.

ANDREW FAIRLEY

Director

Andrew Fairley bio coming soon

Fiona Hall

Director

Fiona has been an active participant in the cherry industry for 25 years. She was President of NSW Cherry Growers in the past and has served on the cherry Strategic Investment Advisory Panel (SIAP) for past 5 years.

Fiona is currently a board member of Apple & Pear Aust Ltd (APAL) and the FAR (finance, audit and risk) committee for APAL. APAL manage domestic and international brands of produce including Pink Lady® apples. APAL is also the PIB for the 400 plus growers of Australia.

Fiona manages the business activities of BiteRiot, reporting to a board each month. She brings a wealth of experience across corporate governance & strategic planning, finance, business and marketing to the CGA board.

Greg Perry

Deputy Chair

Greg Perry brings extensive leadership experience across the cherry industry, infrastructure, and project management, with a strong focus on governance, strategy, and commercial oversight.

Raised in the cherry industry, Greg has a deep understanding of production challenges and the importance of long-term industry sustainability. He is the Managing Director of a project management consultancy, delivering complex infrastructure, development, and operational programs across multiple sectors.

Greg has held senior leadership and board-level roles in both industry and government-aligned organisations, including service on the NSW Cherry Growers Association board and advisory roles supporting strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and investment decision-making. His experience spans financial oversight, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and guiding organisations through periods of structural change.

Greg brings a practical, solutions-focused approach to the CGA Board, with a strong commitment to governance integrity, member representation, and supporting the continued growth and resilience of the Australian cherry industry.

Alison Jones (Sebire)

Chair

I grew up on our family farm in Wandin and picked cherries at an early age.

I loved the camaraderie of working with people and still do today. It is a buzz that makes coming to work enjoyable regardless of what you are doing!!

I studied to be a secondary Art and Craft teacher. However, I wanted to work in the industry first so worked in design and sales in the textile industry in Melbourne and Sydney.

Missing the family business in Sydney I returned to the family, cherries, and WandinValley Farms.

In 2007 our family bought the remaining shares in Wandin Valley Farms, and we all became involved in the business.

In 2016 I became the CEO of Wandin Valley Farms.

I am proud of what we do and the industry we are involved in. We produce a product that is fresh, flavorsome, healthy and creates excitement all bundled in with Christmas and Summer!!

Elected to VCA committee 26th October 2009

Elected to President of VCA 17th October 2013

Elected to President of CGA 24th January 2024