New AOA NSW Director

There’s a new face on the AOA Board, with the organisation’s guidance team farewelling former NSW Director Peter Herborn and welcoming Margie Carter to the role.

Peter Herborn

Peter’s three-year term was in one of the more ‘interesting’ periods of recent times and he said he leaves satisfied with what was achieved despite the obstacles.

“Most of my time was through the COVID restrictions and we managed to not only keep going, but the association actually made a lot of progress during that time,” he said.

“Full credit goes to Mike and Michael, and the other directors. It would have been easy to have let things take their course but I’m proud of the fact that we managed to be a really productive association throughout that period.

“Also to see that the industry is getting a level of maturity it’s been striving for. It’s no longer just seen as a whim activity, it’s a serious industry.

“And the thing I feel really pleased about is that there is a new generation coming through and for them it is a serious business. They want to grow olives, they know more about olive oil and they want to be a part of olive and olive oil production here.

“I’ve enjoyed my time on the board but I’m a bit long in the tooth and it’s time for a younger, more energetic person to come through. I’ve known Margie for 25 years or more and have no doubt about her commitment to the industry. She’ll be a great asset to the board and I’m very pleased she took it on.”

Respected opinions and valued contributions

AOA President Mike Thomsett said Peter made a substantial contribution during his time on the Board.

“He had very a measured presence on the board, and brought a lot of Hunter Valley experience,” Thomsett said.

“He was committed to attending meetings, often under great difficulty because of his farm’s telecommunications issues. He was probably one of the worst affected of all the directors but he would drive to the top of a hillside somewhere so he could call in by phone.

“He was also hindered by the pandemic in that he wasn’t able to visit the region and growers he wanted to communicate with, however he was very affective in gaining their input via phone calls.

“Peter was also actively involved in our prolonged advocacy around the five-star health rating system, which brought a lot of demands on the directors. Peter stood up for that cause and put a lot of time and energy into it, again under those difficult circumstances.

“Throughout his time his opinions were respected and the board greatly valued his contributions – always.”

Margie Carter

New NSW Director Margie Carter is an award-winning table olive producer and established her Parafield Olives grove, at Yarragundry near Wagga Wagga, more than 25 years ago.

She said she took on the Director’s role to learn more about the industry at both national and international levels, and to champion table olive production.

“Having a table olive producer on our board is a long time overdue,” she said.

“As the only table olive producer on the board I shall endeavour to promote and encourage the AOA and industry to provide Australian consumers with more palatable table olives and fresh tapenades into the future.

“Table olives have in the past been looked upon as the poor cousins of EVOO but there is money to be made from a country of foodies just finding out what naturally fermented olives taste like. The market is there: we should be planting and making more now.

“Table olives are easily grown in our many 'Mediterranean climates', plus they are a sustainable tree product that can be produced organically with minimal effort. We can do what the AOA did with EVOO by turning a 100% imported food into a delicious Australian commodity which also projects our increasingly challenged horticultural environment.”

Fresh perspective

Mike Thomsett said Margie brings a number of positives to the AOA Board.

“It’s great to have Margie join us: she’s a woman, which is always welcome on the board, and she’s a table olive producer, a rapidly growing sector which needs good representation on the board,” he said

“She’s been in the industry for over 25 years, so she has a wealth of knowledge. She’s been a very regular attendee at AOA events over the years, and is well known and liked in the industry, particularly in NSW.

“She’ll bring a fresh perspective and no doubt a lot of lively conversation to the table.”

Retiring NSW Director Peter Herborn is proud of the progress made by the AOA during the challenging period of COVID restrictions. New NSW Director Margie Carter is an award-winning table olive producer with more than 20 years’ of hands-on experience.

Meet the Directors- AGM

The 2022 AOA Annual General Meeting will be held at 4pm on Thursday, 13 October at the Paranaple Centre, Devonport, Tasmania, followed by a networking function at 5pm. All current financial members are welcome: for catering purposes, please confirm your attendance to secretariat@australianolives.com.au. All board members will also be attending the 2022 National Olive Conference & Exhibition, being held in Devonport from 14-16 October. They’re keen to meet new industry members and catch up with old ones, so make sure you find your state director and have a chat.

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THE INNOVATIVE AND QUALITY RANGE FROM

AOA membership renewals now overdue

We’re now well into the new financial year, which means if you haven’t renewed your AOA membership for 2022 you’re no longer a financial member.

Membership of the national industry body, the Australian Olive Association (AOA) provides a wealth of direct benefits, including: • access to the AOA website’s Members Lounge and information on a broad range of industry-relevant topics, including step-by-step labelling guides and a readable version of the Australian Standard 5264-2011; • heavily discounted rates on AOA event registrations and Australian International Olive

Awards entries; • the opportunity to participate in the OliveCare® Code of Best Practice program, which provides assistance with queries on grove management, production, storage and other quality parameters; also access to the OliveCare® certification program.

Renewal notices were issued in early July. If you didn’t receive yours, or can’t locate it, please contact Liz at secretariat@australianolives.com.au for a replacement copy. Please keep your eye on your Inbox and pay yours promptly to ensure your continued eligibility for these and many more significant member discounts.

Reminder: member discounts for October’s National Olive Conference registrations can only be applied for current financial members, so make sure you’ve renewed before you sign on!

NATIONAL OLIVE INDUSTRY

conference & exhibition

Not an AOA member?

Find out more and apply to join at the AOA website - www.australianolives.com.au – or contact Administration Manager Elizabeth Bouzoudis at secretariat@australianolives.com.au.

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