News
Goodbye and thank you to “the impressive Peter McFarlane” At the end of September your editor’s job became harder following the retirement of industry shaker and mover, Peter McFarlane. We joined the industry at around the same time and Peter has been a constant source of information, factchecking and answers ever since. His generosity, humour and ‘no BS’ manner have made working with him a pleasure, and his encyclopaedic knowledge of industry matters has solved a multitude of queries. As we say farewell, let’s take a look at Peter’s work and legacy, from both his own perspective and those who have worked with him. “Farewell and best of success for the Australian olive industry. “I have really enjoyed working with the AOA Board and staff, as well the many olive industry participants I have met over the past 13 years, in particular OliveCare® members. “My olive industry involvement commenced in 2008, working with Olives SA and PIRSA to develop and implement a ‘voluntary olive industry levy’ and a ‘levy funds management plan’ for the South Australian olive industry. This scheme operated from 2009 until 2013, when it was replaced by the National Statutory Olive Levies. “The SA voluntary olive levy generated significant interest nationally, resulting in my appointment in 2009 as chief investigator of RIRDC Project PRJ-005287: National Olive Industry Levy Consultation, working with the Board of the AOA and RIRDC to progress a National Statutory Olive R&D levy, and Biosecurity (EPPR) levy. These levies were eventually approved by the Australian Government and implemented in May 2013, funding important industry research and development work. “Concurrently with this levy work, I was appointed by the AOA Board to several industry roles including: • since 2011 I have served as Convenor of the AOA’s National Table Olive Committee (NTOC), a sub-committee of the AOA Board, comprising table olive specialists and producers, which worked to develop and successfully implement a Voluntary Industry Standard for Table Olives in Australia, and to address other table olive sector issues;
As National Olive Industry Levy Consultant, McFarlane worked with then-CEO Lisa Rowntree and the AOA Board towards the end result of “a total R&D funding package for an effective, vibrant industry”.
• from 2011 to 2019 I was appointed as the AOA’s Table Olive Competition Chief Steward, working with a panel of impressive table olive judges; • in 2012 I was honoured as the recipient of the AOA’s Services to Industry Award;
Michael Thomsett - AOA President
“On behalf of the AOA Board of Directors and the entire membership, I would sincerely like to thank Peter for his most valuable contributions. Peter is leaving a legacy, not only to the membership but to the Australian industry. “Peter's accomplishments for the industry have included work in Biosecurity, OliveCare®, the industry levy, market surveillance, and chemical and organic registrations and permits. “His communications, and especially the OliveCare® newsletter, have been technical and accurate, detailed, comprehensive and widely well received. “We look forward to the 2022 National Conference, where hopefully Peter can join us for a personal thank you.” 6 • Australian & New Zealand Olivegrower & Processor • December 2021 • Issue 122
• since 2012 I have served as the AOA’s Code of Best Practice Administrator (later rebranded OliveCare®), a program funded by the Olive Levy and the Commonwealth of Australia through Hort Innovation Projects OL13007 & OL17006; • since 2013 I have served as the AOA’s Agri-chemical Permits Co-ordinator, to ensure the Australian olive industry continues to have access to approved and efficacious pest and disease control solutions; • from 2016 to 2020, I served as the Tastebook® Program Co-ordinator - a sensory training initiative pioneered by AIOA Chief Judge Shane Cummins, which shares the experiences of appreciating, describing, and understanding the
