APAL announces 2026 Awards for Excellence honouring apple and pear industry leaders

Growers and industry professionals from across Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia recognised for outstanding contributions.

APAL has announced the successful recipients of the 2026 APAL Awards for Excellence, recognising outstanding leadership, innovation and service across the Australian apple and pear industry.

This year, eight individuals and businesses have been recognised across seven award categories for their exceptional contributions to the growth and success of the sector. The award categories include the Lifetime Achievement Award (two recipients), Grower of the Year, Industry Rising Star, Women in Horticulture Award, Research & Extension Provider of the Year, Agritourism Award and the newly introduced Orchard Operations Excellence Award.

2026 APAL Awards for Excellence recipients:

“Every year, the APAL Awards for Excellence recognise the outstanding skill, dedication and enthusiasm that exists throughout our industry,” said Phil Turnbull, CEO of Apple and Pear Australia Ltd. 

“This year’s recipients are an outstanding example of the innovation, resilience and leadership that continues to strengthen the Australian apple and pear industry. 

“It is particularly special to recognise two Lifetime Achievement Award recipients this year – Rosie Savio from Queensland and Stephen Tancred from Queensland – whose decades of contribution have helped shape both their local growing regions and the broader national industry. 

Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 recipients, Stephen Tancred, Orchard Services, QLD & Rosie Savio, P Savio & Co Pty Ltd, QLD. Photo credit: Glenda Riley

“We are also proud to introduce the Orchard Operations Excellence Award in 2026, recognising the highly skilled people working behind the scenes in orchard operations and management who are critical to the success of our industry. 

Orchard Operations Excellence Award 2026, Lauren Fankhauser, Fankhauser Apples, VIC. Photo credit: Lauren Murphy

“To Paul Priest, our Grower of the Year, and to all of this year’s recipients, congratulations on your dedication and contribution to the future of the Australian apple and pear industry. We look forward to celebrating your achievements with colleagues, family and friends at the APAL Awards for Excellence and Industry Forum event in Melbourne in July,” Phil said. 

Grower of the Year 2026, Paul Priest, Priest Bros Orchards, VIC. Photo credit: Lauren Murphy

The APAL Awards for Excellence celebrate the exceptional contributions and accomplishments of leading growers, researchers, innovators and businesses across the pome fruit sector. 

The 2026 award recipients will be recognised during the APAL Awards for Excellence evening at Morris House in Melbourne on Sunday 26 July 2026, held as part of the APAL Industry Forum. Recipients will receive a commemorative trophy and may choose either a $1,000 travel voucher or a $1,500 investment toward professional development opportunities. 

Women in Horticulture Award 2026, Nardia Stacy, Pomewest, WA. Photo credit: Nigel Welch

Research & Extension Provider of the Year 2026, Alessio Scalisi, Agriculture Victoria, VIC. Photo credit: Liz Arcus

Nominations for the APAL Awards for Excellence are invited annually from apple and pear growing regions throughout Australia. Submissions are evaluated by a Nominations Committee made up of representatives from state associations and the broader industry, before the APAL Board considers the committee’s recommendations and confirms the final recipients.

Industry Rising Star 2026, Damien Silm, Cedar Creek Orchard, NSW. Photo credit: Judith Russo

Agritourism Award 2026, Nightingale Bros, VIC. Pictured: Ross Nightingale. Photo credit Erin Davis Hartwig