The late John Davidson honoured with Citrus Hall of Fame induction

The late John Davidson was posthumously inducted into the Citrus Australia Hall of Fame earlier this month at the organisation's Citrus Technical Forum in Adelaide. 

Mr Davidson's son was on hand to proudly accept the award after travelling down from Leeton on behalf of the family. 

To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, growers must have provided outstanding service to the industry, have been active through committees and other volunteer activities, and have further developed the industry and Citrus Australia through their work.

Mr Davidson was a founding member of Quelch juice factory in Leeton in the 1970s and worked as the fruit procurement officer for 44 years.

He was also a grower of 150 hectares and a director of the Davadella packing shed.

Mr Davidson influenced the industry to bring the Hamlin variety into the country in the early 1980s and also worked with the NSW Department of Primary Industry on trials to find the best Valencia clone to suit the juice industry.

He was an active committee member of the fruit fly regional group, the Leeton and District Citrus Growers, Riverina Citrus, the Irrigation Research and Extension Committee and the Citrus Australia regional advisory committee.

Mr Davidson was also a past recipient of the Les Baker industry award. 

After the award was announced and induction ceremony completed, the entire room, made up of about 400 delegates, got to their feet to give Mr Davidson a standing ovation.

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​It is believed this is the first time anyone from the Riverina region has been both inducted to the Citrus Australia Hall of Fame and received the Les Baker industry award. 

Mr Davidson sadly passed away in 2017, but his legacy is continuing to live on through his family in Leeton. 

Lion Dairy and Drinks, the company who now operates Leeton's "Berri" factory, has also introduced an award of its own in Mr Davidson's memory, which is presented to the "best grower" of each year.