Nominations open for Citrus Australia’s highly anticipated Industry Awards

Citrus Australia has opened nominations for its highly anticipated annual Industry Awards – with growers and members of industry being asked to get their submissions in by Friday November 22.

Citrus Australia’s Industry Awards recognise such efforts as lifelong service to the citrus industry, emerging leadership qualities for those under 40 years of age, and for companies which have shown extraordinary dedication to Australia’s growers and the industry at large.

The winners will be announced at the 2025 Australian Citrus Congress to be held in The Riverina in NSW from March 18 to 20.

“We opened nominations early this week and have already received submissions from growers, researchers and organisations across the country,” said Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock.

“These awards are our way of recognising those who have made outstanding contributions to our industry, through dedication, innovation and leadership,” he said.

“I’m proud Citrus Australia is able to represent such a significant Australian industry, and I’m honoured we can celebrate our industry and our people through these awards.”

 

The categories, criteria and last year’s winners of the Citrus Australia Industry Awards are as follows:

 

Value Chain Innovator

The Value Chain Innovator award highlights innovation at any point in the supply chain, acknowledging leaders or businesses who can communicate their significant and proven achievements in innovation. These achievements are demonstrated through impacts on company ROI (return on investment) and performance, increased profile, unique marketing or branding of the company or products. Those who give back to industry through their innovation – via increased profile, improve efficiencies, new varieties, etc – will be highly considered.

2024 Winner: Allen Jenkin, Ironbark Citrus, Qld – Grower/Packer (pictured below)

 

Hall of Fame 

This is an annual award in the form of a life membership to growers who have left the industry or are retiring out of the business. To be inducted into the ‘Citrus Australia Hall of Fame’, growers should have provided outstanding service to the industry, been active in the industry, by serving or volunteering with a Citrus Australia committee, and have further developed the industry. Please note that this award can be awarded posthumously.

2024 Winners (pictured left to right below): Sue and Greg Chislett, Chislett Farms, Vic – Nursery/Grower/Packer & Nick Ulcoq (retired), Qld- Grower/Advocate 

Emerging Leader

The Emerging Leader award recognises a younger grower or grower packer (up to the age of 40) for industry leadership, advocacy, progressive farming and driving change through thought leadership and innovations to processes and technology.

2024 Winner: Ben Knispel, Nippys, SA – Packer/Grower/Processor

 

Service to Industry

The Service to Industry award is open to companies and individuals whose time and dedication have left a legacy on industry. These recipients have dedicated time to service the citrus industry through expertise in research, extension and facilitation, leadership and advocacy.

2024 Winner: Malcolm Smith, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Qld – Citrus Breeder/Researcher (pictured below)

 

For more information, or to nominate a member of industry, please visit the 2025 Australian Citrus Congress website.

 

For further information or for an interview with Nathan Hancock, CEO, Citrus Australia, please contact:
Sarah C Porter or Rachel Hall
Mobile: +61 (0) 438 358 787 (Sarah)
Mobile: +61 (0) 428 929 576 (Rachel)
Email: sarahporter@citrusaustralia.com.au or comms@citrusaustralia.com.au