Honour Roll
Since 1999 the Australian apple and pear industry has celebrated is growth, innovation and achievement through its annual awards.
Across the years, award categories have been expanded to recognise the many areas and individuals who contribute to the success of our industry. the awards have become the APAL Awards for Excellence.
Previous recipients of the awards are listed below.
Grower of the Year Award
- 2026 – Paul Priest
- 2025 – Brett Squibb
- 2024 – Noel Mason
- 2023 – Murray Collins
- 2022 – Trent Vedelago
- 2020 – Howard Hansen
- 2019 – Jason Shields
- 2018 – Gerard Alampi
- 2016 – Mark Trzaskoma
- 2015 – Brad Fankhauser
- 2013 – Brad Ashlin
- 2012 – Rob Green
Lifetime Achievement Award (previously called the Legends Roll of Honour)
- 2026 – Rosie Savio and Stephen Tancred
- 2025 – Scott Price and Paul James
- 2024 – Kevin Sanders
- 2023 – Sue Finger
- 2022 – Dr Ben Darbyshire
- 2020 – Ian Smith and John Robson
- 2019 – Jon Durham and Harvey Giblett
- 2018 – David Williams and Ray Montague
- 2016 – Ugo Tomasel and David Gartrell
- 2015 – John Lawrenson
- 2013 – Henry Jarvis and Keith Nightingale
- 2012 – Helene Armour, John Giumelli and Pietro Savio
Industry Rising Star Award (previously called Young Grower of the Year Award)
- 2026 – Damien Silm
- 2025 – Travis Georgopoulos
- 2024 – Blake Reeve
- 2023 – Joseph Napoleone
- 2022 – Sam Boyce
- 2020 – Matthew Griggs
- 2019 – John Hearman
- 2018 – Nathan Barolli
- 2016 – Mel Ware
- 2015 – Joel Brockhoff
- 2015 – Joyce Ceravolo and Joseph Ceravolo
Women in Horticulture Award
- 2026 – Nardia Stacy
- 2025 – Nicole Giblett
- 2024 – Joy Jarvis
- 2023 – Ann Lyster
- 2022 – Rien Silverstein
- 2020 – Sandra Ceravolo
- 2019 – Bec Whittaker
- 2018 – Susie Murphy-White
- 2016 – Catherine Silverstein
- 2015 – Susie Green
Excellence in Orchard Operations Award
- 2026 – Lauren Fankhauser
Marketer of the Year Award (previously called Innovative Marketing Award)
- 2025 – Shane Priest
- 2023 – Jenny Mercer
- 2022 – Nic Giblett
- 2020 – Mira Milich, Divine Fruits
- 2019 – Andrew Smith, R&R Smith
- 2016 – Montague
- 2015 – Dane Griggs
Research and Extension Provider of the Year Award (previously called Research and Development Provider of the Year Award)
- 2026 – Alessio Scalisi
- 2025 – Hannah James
- 2024 – Steele Jacob
- 2023 – Kevin Dodds
- 2022 – Ian Goodwin
- 2020 – Marcel Veens
- 2019 – Nigel Swarts
- 2016 – Sally Bound
- 2015 – Heidi Parkes
Environment and Sustainability Award
- 2023 – Andrew Smith
- 2015 – Peter Radevski
Agritourism Award
- 2026 – Nightingale Bros
- 2025 – Sam Licciardello
- 2024 – Emily Shipway
- 2023 – Glenn and Jo-Anne Fahey
Productivity Partner Award
- 2015 – Andrew Maughan
Industry Impact Award
- 2015 – Jesse Reader
Exporter of the Year Award
- 2019 – Chris Georgopoulos, GV Independent Packers Pty Ltd
- 2018 – Scott Montague, Montague Fresh
- 2016 – Howard Hansen, Hansen Orchards
Inducted by the Australian Fresh Fruit Company (AFFCO)*
- 2012 – John Corby
- 2009 – Cam Stafford
- 2008 – Ian Armour and Geoff Payne
- 2007 – Barrie Gaudion, Cliff Riseborough and Gordon Chapman
- 2005 – Bill Joyce and Bruce Plummer
- 2003 – Bob Cornish and Cliff Armstrong
- 2002 – Colin Little and John Cripps
- 2001 – Hedley Calvert
- 2000 – Bill Zurcas, Geoffrey Thompson and Harry Chilton
- 1999 – Doug Bishop, Bill Montague, Jack Pickworth, Charlie Turnbull and Bruce Williams
There was no awards ceremony in 2021 or 2017.
In 2025, Chris Fairless from Kyabram Cold Storage in the Goulburn Valley has been recognised by APAL for his tremendous dedication to and influence on the Australian apple and pear industry. He was presented with the APAL Outstanding Industry Contribution Award at the 2025 Awards for Excellence presentation evening.
In 2024 an additional honour was also awarded to Ross Wilson from AgFirst New Zealand for his longstanding contribution to the Australian apple and pear industry over many years, including his involvement in the Future Orchards® program, delivered by APAL.
*AFFCO was established as a network of major companies operating in the Australian fruit sector in 1995 and operated until early 2012. APAL acquired the name after AFFCO ceased operating and took on some of its responsibilities including recognising industry talent.
