Led by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD), this cherry levy investment will enhance information exchange within the cherry industry to increase efficiency in cherry production and develop resilience by adopting improved practices and technologies.
The project team consists of NSW DPIRD, Cherry Growers Australia, Victoria Cherry Association, Fruit Growers Tasmania and South Australian Research Institute (SARDI). The team will ensure cherry growers and other industry stakeholders are better informed by increasing the level of communication and extension. This will be achieved with newsletters, case studies, fact sheets, workshops, orchard walks, videos and podcasts. These activities will create a more robust industry that will be able to expand and improve market access in both existing and future markets.
Communication and extension are critical to successfully implementing and adopting research outcomes and technologies. NSW DPIRD is a highly experienced research provider and ensures extension is embedded in the foundations of its research outcomes by employing professional staff to undertake timely, informative and creative extension activities.
This project has the following objectives:
Objective 1: Develop a national communication and extension strategy.
Objective 2: Create a better-informed industry by increasing the level of communication and information received by Australian cherry growers using newsletters, case studies, fact sheets, workshops, orchard walks, videos and podcasts.
Objective 3: Identify and address constraints and opportunities to maximise sustainable and profitable production in the Australian Cherry Industry through a regional grower’s program.
Objective 4: Establish and maintain international linkages with cherry growers and researchers worldwide, helping to further develop Australian growers.
Objective 5: Engage with an industry-focused Project Reference Group and link with other cherry industry projects to maximise benefits for the Australian cherry industry.
Objective 6: Deliver the National Cherry Conference in 2024.
As part of this project Australian cherry growers can expect the following outputs:
See below the resources that have been created as part of this current project.
Dr Greg Lang visited us here in Australia for protected covers workshops in NSW & Victoria here’s some snippets from these workshops. For the full playlist you can watch on You Tube HERE.
Thank you to everyone for joining us at the season launch webinar on Wednesday 25th September 2024. It is shaping up to be a great season.
If you missed it here’s what we discussed;
Alison Jones / CGA President – welcome and recap and update on the status of the Cherry Growers Australia restructure and pledge.
Jess Fearnley / NSW DPIRD – extension and communications project update and climate and environmental tips for this month.
Chris Lethbridge – New Trade Development Coordinator CGA, introduction and export update.
Sara Clarry – Climate forecasting technologies / FarmLink Research and technology demonstration for cherry growers.
Here you can watch replays or snippets of recent workshops held by the project.
Vigour Management Workshop with Ronald Vermeulen special guest from Netherlands in New South Wales March 2025 – See full video playlist on YouTube HERE.
Tasmania Vigour Management workshop with Ronald Vermeulen special guest from Netherlands. View the full Tasmania playlist on TouTube HERE.
Vigour Management Workshop with Ronald Vermeulen special guest from Netherlands in Victoria March 2025 – See full video playlist on YouTube HERE.
Greg Lang Workshop August 2024 – Greg Lang and Earnscy Weaver discuss crop load management techniques at Yarra Valley Cherries in Victoria. This insightful discussion covers strategies to optimise yield, improve fruit quality, and enhance orchard efficiency. Watch the full workshop playlist on your YouTube channel.
Here you can refer back to the presentations by our guest speakers at recent workshops.
February / March 2025 - Vigour Management Workshop
February / March 2025 Vigour Management Workshop
February / March 2025 Vigour Management Workshop
February / March 2025 Vigour Management Workshop
The project will also develop Regional Grower Groups to engage in trials, discussions and networking in each growing region. These groups are open to all interested members of the cherry industry. To join your local group, contact our team below:
New South Wales: Jessica Fearnley-Pattison (NSW DPIRD) jessica.fearnley@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Tasmania: Shanelle Percy (FGT) ido@fruitgrowerstas.org.au
South Australia: Darren Graetz (SARDI) darren.graetz@sa.gov.au
Victoria: Fiona Pogue (Vic Cherries) info@cherries.org.au
For project milestone reports and updates please visit the Hort Innovation website.
For project enquiries or grower information please contact Jessica Fearnley-Pattison, National Cherry Extension Manager jessica.fearnley@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
You will get access to the following.
Director
Coming Soon
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.
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.
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.
Director
Andrew Fairley bio coming soon
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.
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.
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
