A Century of CANEGROWERS

Burdekin growers mark 100 years of advocacy and unity

100 years ago, cane grower representatives from across Queensland met in Mackay to challenge an industry that had long been stacked against them. Last month, hundreds of CANEGROWERS directors, members and associates came together in the Burdekin to celebrate the organisation’s enduring legacy and the achievements it has facilitated since that inaugural meeting.

Centenary Night Honours Growers and Their Legacies

CANEGROWERS marked 100 years on Friday, 28 February, bringing together generational farmers, dignitaries and organisational leaders to celebrate a century spent fighting—and winning—battles for fairer outcomes for Queensland growers.

Addressing the crowd at Populins Hall, Member for Burdekin Dale Last said the 100-year milestone was a testament to the organisation’s enduring work.

“The pathway that the sugar industry has travelled in the last 100 years, from those humble beginnings, to where it is today, didn’t occur by accident. It occurred through a lot of advocacy; through a lot of hard work; because of organisations like CANEGROWERS,” Mr Last said.

To mark the occasion, inaugural ‘Innovation Awards’ were handed out on the night, honouring three Burdekin farmers credited with innovations that have been influential in local industry practices.

Home Hill farmer Lui Populin was recognised for the early-1970s invention of the first single-row automatic billet planter, developed with his late brother Peter. Arthur Cannavan received an award for his Self-Propelled Over-the-Row Cane Harvester, while Ray Menkens was honoured for his Lay-Flat Plastic Fluming System.

CANEGROWERS Burdekin Limited director Owen Menkens said on the night that innovation would continue to shape the industry’s future, particularly as new opportunities emerge, making the organisation’s work now as important as ever.

“The question for our generation is the same as it was for those growers a century ago: will we shape the future of the industry, or will we leave it to others?” Mr Menkens said.

“Standing together still matters. Membership still matters. Representation still matters. 100 years ago growers in districts like this made a decision to organise. Tonight, we celebrate that decision, and we carry it forward.”

1—Michelle Cvjetanovic, Raymond Cvjetanovic, and Paul and Jackie Kratzmann

2—Mark and Karen Castelanelli, Ian and Patricia Haigh, and Frank and Kay Scuderi

3—Jenna Koppen, Katlyn Radunz, David Radunz, Kieran Koppen, and Elliot Phillips

4—Rae Scuderi, Steven Marbelli (Chairman of CANEGROWERS Herbert River), and Leah Russo (Deputy Chair of CANEGROWERS Herbert River)

5—Deklan Menkens, Christian Populin, Erica Dickinson, Sarah Menkens, Owen Menkens, and Kirsty Swindley

6—Max and Shannon Musumeci

7— CANEGROWERS marked 100 years on Friday, 28 February, bringing together generational farmers, dignitaries and organisational leaders to celebrate the feat

8— Addressing the crowd at Populins Hall, Member for Burdekin Dale Last said the 100-year milestone was a testament to the organisation’s enduring work

9—CANEGROWERS Burdekin Limited director Owen Menkens said innovation would continue to shape the industry’s future

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