20 years of Avocados Australia by Effigy Creative Pty Ltd

20 Years of Avocados Australia

This photo book commemorates Avocados Australia’s 20ᵗʰ Anniversary. From 2003 to 2023 Avocados Australia (AAL) has been working to support the Australian avocado industry. This book shows you some of the people who played a part in AAL’s growth and the events that took place over that time. I hope you enjoy this pictorial journey of Avocados Australia’s first twenty years.

John Tyas CEO Avocados Australia October 2023

Avocados Australia’s Directors

Rod Dalton 2004 - 2006

Chris Nelson 2004 - 2013

Col Cummings 2004

Colin Fechner 2004 - 2009

Henry Kwaczynski 2004 - 2011

Jim Kochi 2004 - 2022

Lachlan Donovan 2004 - 2016

Peter Molenaar 2004 - 2007

Wayne Franceschi 2004 - 2005

Ron Simpson 2005 - 2006

Jenni Franceschi 2005 - 2009

Daryl Boardman 2006 – current

John Walsh 2006 – 2021

Tom Silver 2007 – current

Nick Hobbs 2009 – 2012

Russell Delroy 2009 – 2013

Peter Annand 2011 – 2014

Barry Avery 2012 – 2015

David Duncan 2013 – 2015

Ian Tolson 2013 – current

Neil Shenton 2014 – 2017

Rob Price 2014 – 2022

Kym Thiel 2015 - current

Dudley Mitchell 2016 - 2021

Eric Carney 2016 – current

Brad Rodgers 2018 – current

Jim Randall 2021 – 2022

Robert Wheatley 2021

Lucia Philip 2022 - current

Matt Kleyn 2022 - current

Avocados Australia Event Highlights

Rod Dalton, the first Chair of Avocados Australia, addresses growers at an early roadshow event.

An AAL board meeting held in 2004 at the Sunshine Coast.

David Duncan receiving an AAL Life Membership Award, 2005.

From left, Henry Kwaczynski (second Chair of AAL) and Rod Dalton (first Chair of AAL).

Antony Allen, AAL’s first CEO, addressing growers.

Members of AAL’s R&D Committee, 2004. From left: Jonathan Cutting, Peter Molenaar, David Peasley, Alan Blight, Tony Whiley, John Tyas, Graeme Thomas, George Green, and John Dorrian.

Growers gathered as part of an orchard walk to hear Ken Pegg and Tony Whiley speak about orchard practices.

AAL staffer, John Leonardi presenting on orchard canopy management approaches.

AAL organised roadshow that took place in 2007.

Researcher, Tony Whiley, speaks with a grower about best practice.

Growers gathered for an orchard walk for an AAL Roadshow held in 2007.

AAL signs the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed with Plant Health Australia.

Simon Newett addresses growers on best practice as part of his extension project.

The late Henry Drew presents to growers at an AAL growers meeting held in Bundaberg.

AAL’s Board members and CEO in 2004. From left, Peter Molenaar, Henry Kwaczynski, Lachlan Donovan, Ron Simpson, Rod Dalton, Jim Kochi, Colin Fechner, Wayne Franceschi, Chris Nelson, and Antony Allen.

Tony Whiley presents at a Central Queensland Study Group gathering held at Carney’s Farm.

An AAL grower event held in Northern NSW in 2007.

Agronomist Lisa Fyffe (nee Martin) taking part in an orchard walk held in Tristate in 2007.

Paul Bidwell addressing an orchard walk gathering in WA in 2007.

WA grower, Russell Delroy, addressing fellow growers at an AAL workshop held in Pemberton in 2008.

In 2005 the late Mary Ravanello receives AAL Order of Merit award. On her left is Natale Ravanello, to her right is Giovanni Ravanello.

The Australia-New Zealand Joint Board Meeting that took place in September 2005.

Dudley Mitchell from Avonova Farms speaking at an AAL grower event held in Pemberton.

Attendees of an AAL grower event, from left, Frank Ekin, Fiona Giblin, and researcher Ken Pegg.

Ron Simpson and his wife Faye, from Simpson Farms, thanked for assisting AAL.

Highly respected researcher Ken Pegg presenting at a Regional Forum.

Antony Allen at an AAL organised grower event.

Graeme Thomas presenting at an AAL grower event held in Collins, North Queensland.

Simon Newett demonstrating soil sampling techniques at Battistin farm in North Queensland.

North Queensland grower event held in 2007.

Jim Kochi addressing delegates at the Australian & New Zealand Avocado Growers Conference (ANZAGC), 2009.

Former AAL director, Jennie Franceschi, and AAL staffers (John Leonardi, Amanda Madden & Marie Tyrrell) at ANZAGC09.

ANZAGC09 delegate talks with an Amcor representative.

Australian & New Zealand Avocado Growers Conference 2009

Henry Kwaczynski, second Chair of AAL, addresses delegates at the ANZAGC, 2009.

Gala Dinner participants at the ANZAGC, 2009.

AAL staffer, Amanda Madden, and grower, Annaleise Donovan at ANZAGC09.

Former AAL staffer, Joanna Embry, at ANZAGC09.

Conference delegates at ANZAGC09.

Infocado Summit attendees, from left Paul Schramm and John Walsh (Simpson Farms), 2010.

Russell Delroy & Jim Kochi at the Infocado Summit dinner, 2010.

Central Queensland Growers, Jim and Lois Carney, hosts of an AAL Grower Workshop held in 2013.

John Tyas (AAL CEO) awards an iPad to OrchardInfo winners Peter & Vicky Jones, Mildura, 2013.

Grower Barry Avery at an AAL grower event in Mildura, 2013.

Bob Granger, Chair of the Industry Advisory Committee, addressing an Annual Levy Payers meeting held in Mildura, 2013.

Jim Kochi examining avocado flowers in a Mildura orchard, 2013.

Orchard walk in Mildura, 2013.

Former grower, Zenta Torien from Rosehill Estate, and Dr Liz Dann (UQ) in attendance at the CQ Grower Workshop in 2013.

ANZAGC2013 study tour participants: from left, Charlie Borzi, Susan Christensen, Kylie Collins, Eric and Tracey Battistin.

Former Summerland House Farm orchard manager, the late David Brine, host of AAL’s Field Day in 2013.

Researcher Dr Liz Dann (UQ) talks with growers during the orchard walk as part of the AAL Tamborine/Northern Rivers Field Day, 2013.

Tamborine/Northern Rivers growers at the AAL Field Day held at Summerland House Farm in 2013.

John Tyas, CEO AAL, takes part in an orchard visit with Ron Simpson at Simpson Farms.

Terry Campbell from QDAF holding an avocado ripeness training tool, 2014.

John Tyas conducting an orchard visit at Eric Battistin’s farm in North Queensland.

Daryl Boardman, AAL SQ director, taking part in an international trade mission with then Minister for Agriculture the Hon. Barnaby Joyce.

AAL directors and the then Chair at a board meeting in 2016.

Lachlan Donovan (left) and John Tyas (right) present Simon Newett (QDAF) with AAL Order of Merit Award, 2015.

AAL’s grower events are always well attended here are growers at a CNSW event, 2014.

CNSW study group organized by Simon Newett, here are the hosts Karen Welch and Roger Cotterill, 2017.

Northern NSW study group, here Craig Maddox (NSW DPI) is demonstrating a soil test at the Northern NSW Study Group meeting in 2017.

North QLD study group organized by Simon Newett, topics covered included irrigation, 2017.

Avocados Australia’s mascot, Alvin, attending the Toowoomba Downlands event, 2018.

From left, Sally Boardman (Sunnyspot), John Tyas (AAL CEO), then Minister for Agriculture the Hon. David Littleproud, Daryl Boardman (Sunnyspot & SQ director) and Jim Kochi (AAL Chair & NQ director).

From left, Robert Price (then Sunshine Coast director) and Eric Carney (Central Queensland director).

Peter Courtice and Alvin promoting Australian Avocados, 2018.

Attendees of the Export Committee meeting in Brisbane, 2018. From left, Josh Franceschi, Cormac Te Kloot, Jennie Franceschi, John Tyas, Antony Allen, Astrid Hughes (HIA), Daryl Boardman and Jenny Van De Meeberg.

From left, John Tyas (AAL CEO), Jennie Franceschi & Daryl Boardman (SQ director) attend the Japan Market Access Launch in Tokyo, 2018.

AAL Central Queensland Regional Update held in the Donovan’s cold room in 2018.

Tom French at an AAL Regional Update event held at the Sunshine Coast, 2018.

A WA regional visit involving AHJ staff, AAL staff, and Jasper Farms staff hosted by Neil Delroy (fourth from the right) in 2018.

Inspection of the WA Perth Markets, 2018.

Participants of the California Study Tour, the tour was organised by Avocados Australia and Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in 2019.

Sunrise, the morning TV breakfast show, visit Blushing Acres (owner Kylie Collins, third from the right).

John Tyas (CEO AAL) visits the Ecoscience Precinct, here he is with Professor Neena Mitter.

Attendees of the Central Queensland Forum taking part in an orchard walk.

From left, Tom Silver (TNR director) and Bryce Latter at the Tamborine/Northern Rivers Regional Forum, 2022.

Bridie Carr from QDAF speaking to growers at a regional forum, 2021.

Ken Pegg discussing orchard approaches.

AAL Data Analyst, Daniel Martins, and Helen Bensilum from Kureen Farming at the NQ Regional Forum, 2021.

Brad Rodgers (AAL Chair & WA director) at WA Regional Forum orchard walk, 2021.

Alan Blight from AvoWest addressing growers at WA Regional Forum, 2021.

From left, Craig Duncan (The Avocado Grove) and Alan Blight (AvoWest) at a WA Regional event.

Avo Connections attendees, from left, Robert Gray (Greenskin Avocados), Daryl Boardman (SQ director & Sunnyspot) and Adele Nowakowska (Hort Innovation), 2021.

Treena Welch (Greenskin Avocados) & Jenny Margetts (P2P Business Solutions), Avo Connections 2021.

From left, Noel Ainsworth (QDAF) and Wayne Prowse (Fresh Intelligence Consulting) at Avo Connections 2021.

Irrigation Summit participants in Brisbane, 2021.

AAL staff celebrating National Agriculture Day, 2021.

Charlie Borzi and Susan Christensen from Bellview Orchards attending an AAL Regional event in NQ, 2021.

Growers Mary and Peter Annand attend an AAL Members event, 2021.

John Tyas, AAL CEO, awards Jim Kochi AAL Life Membership in 2022.

The award ceremony celebrating the winner of the inaugural “Australia’s Best Avocado Toast” award, 2022. From left, Brent Chambers from Simpson Farms, Peter Marinos from Big Michael’s, Manish Shrestha owner and chef at Little Hideout Café (winner) and John Tyas AAL CEO.

Adam Goldwater (Applied Horticultural Research), Gillian Reilly (Hort Innovation) & Jenny Margetts (P2P Business Solutions) at Avo Connections, 2022.

Canopy Management Summit participants, Brisbane 2022.

Avocado Export Strategy being presented to stakeholders in an online zoom session, 2022. From left, Jenny Margetts, John Tyas (AAL) and Flora Zhang (AAL).

Organic avocado grower, Sandra Fishwick, from Red Plateau Organic Produce in Central NSW.

AALJohn at the FarAAL North Growers R&DAAL Field Tyas, CEO,Qld awards Jim Kochi LifeDay, 2022. Hayleigh Dawson (left) and Anne Larard Membership in 2022. from AAL.

National Agriculture Day celebration in the AAL office, 2022. From left, Flora Zhang, John Tyas, Daniel Martins, Amanda Madden, Anne Larard & Hayleigh Dawson.

Simon Newett investigating the health of an avocado tree at the SQ Regional Forum, 2022.

The Avocados Australia Board (2022), from left, Tom Silver (Tamborine & Northern Rivers director), Kym Thiel (Tristate director), Eric Carney (Central Queensland/Sunshine Coast director), Ian Tolson (Central New South Wales director), Lucia (Lucy) Philip (Central Queensland/Sunshine Coast director), Brad Rodgers (Western Australia director & Chair), Matt Kleyn (North Queensland director), Daryl Boardman (South Queensland director) and John Tyas (AAL CEO).

The highly successful Southeast Asia Avocado Tour that took place in 2022.

Cooking demonstrations using Australian avocados at Asia Fruit Logistica, 2022.

Southeast Asia Avocado Tour delegates and importers at Asia Fruit Logistica, 2022.

AAL staff and board take part in Plant Health Australia Training, Brisbane 2023.

Hayleigh Dawson (AAL) & Adam Goldwater (Applied Horticulture Research), delegates at World Avocado Congress, 2023.

AAL staff taking part in a tour of a New Zealand packing shed as part of the World Avocado Congress, 2023. From left, Flora Zhang, Hayleigh Dawson, Anna Petrou and Richard Magney.

AAL Board members and AAL staff at the 20ᵗʰ Anniversary Celebration held in Auckland NZ, 2023.

20th Anniversary Celebration, Auckland New Zealand 2023

At Avo Connections in Adelaide 2023. From left, Troy Agosti (International Marketing Manager at Hort Innovation) and Antony Allen (The Avolution CEO).

John Tyas (AAL CEO) holding his first tray of Australian avocados in Delhi, India. From left, Sudhir Suri (Suri Agri Fresh), Mansi Ahuja (AMPRO Marketing), John Tyas (AAL), and Manav Suri (Suri Agri Fresh), 2023. Avocados supplied from Costa Group, grown in Queensland.

In July 2023, John Tyas, AAL CEO, joined the Hon. Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and other key Indian stakeholders in marking the arrival of Australian avocados in an Indian store.

Australian Avocados Thailand Launch took place on 27 September 2023 at the Sukhothai Hotel in Bangkok. Here is a group photo, AAL representatives in attendance were Brad Rodgers (AAL Chair), John Tyas (AAL CEO), and Flora Zhang (AAL Market Export Development Manager). Distinguished guests included the Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Dr Angela Macdonald, and Western Australia’s Minister for Agriculture and Food, Forestry and Small Business the Honourable Jackie Jarvis.

The Australian Avocados Thailand Launch included a cooking demonstration with local Thai celebrity chef, Chef Jan.

On the 10 October 2023, the Production RD&E Advisory Panel members, along with guest growers and industry stakeholders from all the major growing regions, gathered in Brisbane for a Hort Innovation avocado investment ideation workshop.

South East Qld Avocado Export Regional Forum, 24 Oct 2023, Highfields

And there’s more to come…

Acknowledgements The photos that appear in this photo book were sourced from Avocados Australia’s photo gallery.

We would also like to thank Liz Dann and Simon Newett for sharing photos from their personal collections.