STANTHORPE farmer Nathan Baronio, Eastern Colour, was awarded this year's Queensland Strawberry Growers Association Young Gun Award.
The annual award acknowledges someone showing drive and commitment within the strawberry industry.
Mr Baronio said it was an honour to win.
“It is fantastic to be recognised by this fantastic association and the broader industry," he said.
"We look forward to producing top quality, sweet tasting Queensland strawberries in the year ahead.”
More than 250 strawberry growers and industry representatives attended the 2016 Queensland Strawberry Growers Association dinner and awards ceremony at Caloundra recently.
Attendees travelled from Bundaberg, Caboolture, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and the Granite Belt to enjoy a night of fun, lively discussion and the much anticipated industry awards.
Queensland Strawberry Growers Association chairman Luigi Coco said the event is always well supported.
“The dinner and awards ceremony is a great opportunity for everyone involved in the strawberry industry to down tools for the night, come together and share stories and celebrate the great contribution the whole industry makes to producing fantastic strawberries for everyone’s enjoyment,” he said.
There are 150 strawberry growers in Queensland, employing more than 4000 workers and producing more than 60 million punnets of strawberries all year round.
“The strawberry industry is very dynamic and I would like to congratulate everyone that contributes to producing superb Queensland strawberries," Mr Coco said.
"Their commitment and contributions to the industry will see it grow further in the future."
The climax for the evening was the annual industry awards which highlight the commitment, leadership and talent in the industry.
Other award winners were:
- Excellence in Service Delivery: Errol Graham, EE Muirs and Sons
- Exceptional Women in Industry: Di West, Suncoast Harvest
- Outstanding Contribution to Industry: Merv Schiffke, Taste n See
- Excellence in Sustainable and Biological Farming Practices: Pim Mens, Pims Organics
- Old Codgers Award: Rick Twist, Twist Bros Pty Ltd
- Excellence in Logistics: Lindsay Transport
- Hall of Fame: Rodger Broadley, Dept of Agriculture and Fisheries
