STONEFRUIT
Grower profile
Robert Giumelli Juro Orchard
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BY SHAY CROUCH VALUE CHAIN FACILITATOR, STONEFRUIT WA
here are over 170 Stonefruit growers in WA and they all have a story to tell. I recently got to chat with Rob Giumelli and how he started his orchard in Dwellingup.
Q
Where is your farm and how long have you been orcharding there?
I run a farm in Dwellingup with my wife Judith. We have had this property and been orcharding here for 15 years. The farm had already been established by the Vergone family when we brought it — they have been orcharding in Dwellingup for over 70 years. My orcharding career started many years ago with my parents on the family farm in Pickering Brook. In 1971 the family decided to venture out and try our luck in the beautiful town of Dwellingup which had a few established orchards already. When we purchased the land in Dwellingup we were required to clear and plant a whole new orchard. In 1985 I left the family farm to venture out on my own with a smaller orchard, while also working for Alcoa until my retirement in 2015. Since then I have enjoyed ‘semi-retirement’ by working full-time on the farm, although my wife might disagree as she is always getting me to slow down and enjoy life rather than working so hard.
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WA Grower SPRING 2020
Q
What do you grow in your Orchard?
We grow a variety of fruit including nectarines, peaches, plums, cherries, apples, nashi pears and persimmons. I also have a passion for growing Giant Atlantic Pumpkins and was lucky enough to have won the 2018 WA Largest Pumpkin, weighing in at 361kg. The annual Giant Pumpkin Festival is held every Easter at the Dwellingup Primary School. The event helps bring over 10,000 people to our small community and raises some great money for the local Primary School.
Q
What is your favourite stone fruit you grow?
Living and working on orchards most of my life, I enjoy and appreciate anything fresh and in season, you really cannot beat eating fruit straight from the tree. I will, however, eat white flesh nectarines all day!
Q
How about your favourite Stonefruit recipe?
I’m not a fancy man when it comes to desserts, but I do love chargrilled peaches and nectarines
with some ice cream. It is the best summertime dessert.
Q
Are you interested in exploring export markets?
I believe WA grows high quality fruit that needs to be recognised around the world. Though I have been in the orchard industry for a long time, exploring the export market is of interest. I would also like to take my orcharding knowledge and experience and help mentor other local growers in their orcharding career.
Q
What would be your key message for consumers about WA Stonefruit?
I think the main thing people do not realise is that fruit should be eaten at room temperature, as it brings out the sweetness and full flavour of the produce. ● MORE INFORMATION For more information contact Shay via email shay.crouch@perthnrm.com or phone (08) 9374 3306.
