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Tragic Death
Community mourns popular grower
Tully's cane-growing community is in mourning, following the tragic death of popular local grower Mario Raccanello last month.
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Mr Raccanello, 59, died in a farming accident involving a front bucket tractor on his new property on the Atherton Tablelands on 9 June.
Originally from Tully, Mr Racannello had recently sold the Tully farm and moved to a property near Lake Barrine with his wife, Franca, where he was looking forward to taking life a little easier, CANEGROWERS Tully Chairman Bryce Macdonald told ABC Radio.
"It’s a tragedy. Mario was very well known in Tully … a very progressive and very innovative grower. He had the ability to turn a bad paddock good and a bad variety good as well," Mr Macdonald said.
"Mario was very good at farming, almost magical with his farming practices. He used technology to its greatest as well, in all aspects. He certainly pushed the boundaries.
"He was a very hard worker, seven days a week when it required it, but he (enjoyed) family time as well.
"He will be very sadly missed. You won’t fulfil that gap with Mario. It’s very sad."
Mr Macdonald said the popular grower would be remembered as "a great farmer, a great worker and a great family man. He showed us the way in farming techniques and ability to use technology."
CANEGROWERS Senior Manager Membership Engagement and Innovation Matt Kealley, who worked closely with Mr Raccanello over the years, said he will be sadly missed by many in the cane-growing community.
"I found him to be a fabulous bloke. Innovative, always supportive and prepared to give his time both to CANEGROWERS and the community," Mr Kealley said.
"He was very supportive of me and the implementation of Smartcane BMP in the early days. He will be sadly missed."
Mr Raccanello featured in the March 2016 edition of Australian Canegrower, in an article that highlighted his innovative approach to farming and improving soil health on his 370 hectare Tully cane farm.
He is survived by his wife Franca and children Jared, Jordan and Amaya. •
