Cherry 2026 Conference Resources – Speaker Presentations

 

Click below to download the presentations and resources shared during the conference.

KEYNOTE:

The Premium Advantage: What Global Fruit Markets can Teach Australian Cherry Growers

Professor David Hughes – Dr Food

Download PDF

Hort Innovation Strategic Investment Priorities for the Australian Cherry Industry

Dumi Mhlanga, Hort Innovation

Download PDF

Global Production and Trade Trends – from Australia’s Perspective

Wayne Prowse, Fresh Intelligence Consulting

Download PDF

Climate Impacts on Cherry Production: What We’re Learning

Jessica Fearnley-Pattison, NSW DPIRD

Download PDF

Future Technologies for Efficiencies

Sam Turner, TurnerCo

Download PDF

Making Compliance Work for Your Business

Robert Poole, CVA Australia

Download PDF

Smarter Labour Management in the Orchard

Michael Rogers, Agri Labour Australia

Download PDF

Trends in International Marketing – China Focus

Jonathan Cox, Stratforms

Download PDF

Delivering Quality for our Domestic Markets

Deb Beverley, Hort innovation

Download PDF

Monitoring Cherry Supply Chain Quality

Mark Loeffen, Delytics

Download PDF

Building Demand to Match Supply

Tristan Kitchener, Kitchener Partners

Download PDF
Thank you to all our speakers and sponsors for their contributions to this year’s conference.

Tony Hannaford

Giám đốc

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

Giám đốc

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

Giám đốc

Andrew Fairley bio coming soon

Fiona Hall

Giám đốc

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

Phó Chủ tịch

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

Tôi lớn lên tại trang trại gia đình ở Wandin và hái anh đào từ khi còn nhỏ.

Tôi yêu thích sự đồng chí khi làm việc với mọi người và vẫn như vậy cho đến tận bây giờ. Đó là một sự phấn khích khiến việc đi làm trở nên thú vị bất kể bạn đang làm gì!!

Tôi học để trở thành giáo viên dạy Nghệ thuật và Thủ công mỹ nghệ cấp 2. Tuy nhiên, tôi muốn làm việc trong ngành này trước nên đã làm việc trong bộ phận thiết kế và bán hàng trong ngành dệt may ở Melbourne và Sydney.

Nhớ công việc kinh doanh của gia đình ở Sydney, tôi trở về với gia đình, anh đào và trang trại WandinValley.

Năm 2007, gia đình tôi đã mua số cổ phần còn lại của Wandin Valley Farms và tất cả chúng tôi đều tham gia vào công việc kinh doanh.

Năm 2016, tôi trở thành CEO của Wandin Valley Farms.

Tôi tự hào về những gì chúng tôi làm và ngành công nghiệp mà chúng tôi đang tham gia. Chúng tôi sản xuất ra sản phẩm tươi ngon, đậm đà, tốt cho sức khỏe và tạo nên sự phấn khích trong mùa Giáng sinh và mùa hè!!

Được bầu vào ủy ban VCA ngày 26 tháng 10 năm 2009

Được bầu làm Chủ tịch VCA ngày 17 tháng 10 năm 2013

Được bầu làm Chủ tịch CGA ngày 24 tháng 1 năm 2024