What a spectacular evening celebrating Women in Horticulture. Moda Events Portside in the beautiful Brisbane City was our venue. Women from all over South-East Queensland enjoyed mingling with like-minded business women, learning about the fruit growing regions. We extend our appreciation to the wonderful sponsors for the night – the MONTAGUE tree, Earth Markets and Feast on Fruit and Delicatessen.

Council Support

Our evening started with mouth-watering canapes and free-flowing bubbles overlooking the amazing Brisbane River city views. The flamboyant Vanessa Kennedy played an excellent role of MC. Mayor Tracy Dobie opened the speeches sharing wonderful encounters with the growers from Stanthorpe’s Traprock Region. As chair of the Disaster Management group the Mayor ensures that the support is always there for all growers. South Burnett Regional Council Economic Development Officer Kristy Board joined us on the night, sharing her passion of the regions fruit growers from Kumbia. She has a greater understanding and appreciation of their contribution to the industry and wholeheartedly supports all the growers.

Heartfelt Speeches

From the councils to the growers we witnessed some heartfelt messages. First up was Teresa Francis from Kumbia who shared her love of growing stone fruit and avocados. Teresa talked about the challenges they’ve been faced with Mother Nature’s hailstorms. However, she believes that in every negative situation there is always a positive outcome. Both the Francis and Dugdell families have had more than their fair share of devastation on the farms. The community support each time has been overwhelming. Grower Dinie Ferrier from Rosemary Hill Orchard in Stanthorpe helped shed some light into the importance of tree management. It’s crucial that water and nutrition are carefully managed so trees stay healthy in order to produce flavoursome fruit. We also learnt that Dinie juggles babysitting amidst all the tasks both in the stone fruit orchard and the vineyard. Toni Nicoletti of Nicoletti Orchards is passionate about growing apples and wears many hats managing all aspects of the business. Currently, in Stanthorpe, the family has been faced with severe drought however they’ve managed to continue to produce such flavoursome apples as proved in the evening’s superb dessert.

Impressive Cuisine with Regional Food

It was wonderful to see the greengrocers Boonah Fruit Supply, Earth Markets, ifruitFresh, Tewantin Market Garden and Westridge Fruit and Vegetables enjoying sharing stories with the growers. Entertainer Casey Fogg’s music created the perfect ambience. Executive Chef Stephen Nardo & team delivered outstanding dishes sourced from a number of Queensland and Victorian regions. To start off, we indulged in decadent canapes. Followed by the tantalising mains of lamb and chicken. To top it all off, the ‘creme de la creme’ was the Nicoletti Orchards Fuji and granny smith apple tart topped with vanilla bean ice-cream, simply moreish.
We would like to thank all the guests who have supported this amazing Celebration of Women in Horticulture. You are all ‘Super Women’ in our books. Enjoy your gifts, delightful Carcamos Gourmet Apples and yes the apples are from our growers Nicoletti Orchards. Keep a lookout on our social media as more images will be shared later this week.
Check out our YouTube video !!