Cherry Growers Australia (CGA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Penny Measham as Chief Executive Officer of CGA, commencing 12 May 2025.
Penny brings to the role an impressive depth of experience across horticulture, trade, research, biosecurity and industry development. She is widely respected within the Australian and international horticulture community and has a long-standing connection to the cherry industry.
CGA President Alison Jones said the appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the organisation.
The final report for the ACCC's supermarkets inquiry has made 20 recommendations after finding that ALDI, Coles and Woolworths are some of the most profitable supermarket businesses among global peers and their average product margins have increased over the past five financial years.
Read the full ACCC Media Release HERE
The Cherry Vigour Management Workshop held in Victoria on Monday 03 March was a great success, bringing together growers, researchers, and industry professionals for an engaging and informative session. Participants actively explored best practices in managing tree vigour for optimal yield and fruit quality. The workshop kicked off with a detailed presentation from Senior Fruit Consultant from the Netherlands Ronald Vermeulen followed by a presentation on crop protection from Valente Export Manager Cristian Ferrari and then an orchard walk at the Tatura Smart Farm and Montague Orchards.
Special thanks to Jess and Gita on the day for your outstanding effort in organizing such a well-run and insightful workshop. Also a special thanks to the team from Ag Vic and Montagues!
As part of the ACCC’s ongoing education campaign on the Horticulture Code of Conduct, we have released three new fact sheets.
Two of the fact sheets are for horticulture traders, merchants or agents, and one is for growers. They are available on our website.
The fact sheets can help traders work out if the Code applies to them, what their obligations are and the requirement to have a Horticulture Produce Agreement before trading with a grower.
These fact sheets complement the online Horticulture Code guidance.
Dear Cherry Growers,
I am delighted to announce some important changes that will occur at Cherry Growers Australia (CGA) over the coming months.
Following extensive consultation and industry support, last week the CGA members met and unanimously endorsed a number of resolutions that will allow the organisation to transition from an incorporated association to a company limited by guarantee.
Key changes of this restructure include:
• a broader membership framework to allow memberships from individual growers, state associations, industry suppliers and stakeholders,
• a more skills focused board with directors elected by members,
• a fully resourced and fulltime chief executive officer,
• improved operational compliance, flexibility and transparency along with
• increased connection, consultation and engagement with industry.
These improvements will allow CGA to strategically plan for and effectively oversee the industry’s growth, whilst CGA’s core values and commitment to serving the Australian cherry industry remain steadfast.
There are still a number of legal steps to occur to enable this transition and I look forward to regularly letting you know about the progress being made.
For those people and organisations that have already provided membership pledges, CGA will be in contact shortly with instructions on how to activate your memberships. For others yet to pledge, please keep an eye out for instructions on how to join the new Cherry Growers Australia Limited.
This momentous restructure decision marks an important step in CGA’s evolution and is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen CGA’s capacity to proactively and strategically contribute to, and drive the success and sustainability of the Australian cherry industry.
Yours sincerely,
Alison Jones
CGA President
From 26 February 2025, eligible casuals can provide written notice to their employer to change to full-time or part-time employment under the employee choice pathway. An employer can only refuse the notice for certain reasons.
We have new templates available to help you meet the new rules.
Employees and employers can use our new templates to make or respond to a notice under the employee choice pathway.
Access our new resources and learn more at Casual employees.
and return it to: VCA Secretary, PO Box 612, Mooroopna, 3629
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