New Pear Director appointed to APAL Board

APAL has reappointed two members of the APAL Board and welcomed a new Pear Director. 

At the APAL 2024 Annual General Meeting on 18 November, APAL announced the re-appointment of Joe Ceravolo as Director for South Australia and Mark Scott as Director for Western Australia. Their decision to extend their service for another three-year term is a testament to their dedication and belief in our shared vision for the industry.  

Both grower Directors, Mark and Joe bring invaluable insights from Western Australia and South Australia, which have helped to shape APAL’s strategic direction. Their regional perspectives are essential in helping APAL and the APAL Board to understand grower concerns and to identify opportunities for APAL to provide stronger support and drive growth. 

Additionally, following the retirement of Chris Fairless from the APAL Board earlier this year, APAL sought nominations for the vacant role of Board Director representing pear growers. At the AGM, APAL announced the appointment of Matthew Lenne of Lenne’s Orchard (Calimna) as the new Director representing pear growers.  

Joe Ceravolo, Mark Scott and Matthew Lenne have been appointed for three-year terms, effective at the end of the 2024 AGM.

Matthew Lenne

Matthew Lenne

Pear Director

A highly regarded third-generation grower from the Goulburn Valley, Matthew has been an active participant in APAL initiatives over the years, from the development of the Future Orchards® extension program, to hosting orchard walks and being involved in trials programs. Matthew is a passionate pear grower with a strong commitment to the industry and was a longstanding board member of Fruit Growers Victoria (previously Northern Victoria Fruitgrowers’ Association Ltd) from 2002–18.  

Tell us about your orchard

I grew up in Ardmona on our family orchard, Calimna, which was purchased by my grandparents in 1926. My parents progressively increased the size of Calimna and grew pears and peaches for the Ardmona cannery and Packham pears for the fresh market.  

In 2001, our family business purchased a neighbouring property with a coolstore, which we have expanded and it can now store 13,000 bins under DCA for Calimna and neighbouring growers. 

During the past decade our focus has shifted from a low-density processing orchard to a high-density fresh fruit orchard incorporating a range of varieties, including ANP-0131 (Ricó™), ANP-0118 (Lanya™), PremP009 (Piqa®) and Celina (QTee®) pears, and Cripps Pink (Pink Lady) and ANABP 01 (Bravo®) apples.  

What orchard trials have you been involved in? 

Although our orchard featured traditional pears, I wanted to investigate a modern, intensive growing system, so in 2003 I hosted the APAL pear rootstock trial. Dwarfing rootstocks were new to the Goulburn Valley at that time and it was a great opportunity to see how they performed in our climate. 

I took part in the Future Orchards international study tour to Europe in 2008 and, following this, I visited Belgium and Holland’s pear growing regions with well-known pear consultant Jeff De Costa. The trip was coupled with receiving the inaugural APAL Young Grower of the Year award in 2007 and has helped shape my attitudes towards fruit growing today.  

In 2009, I set up a registered virus-free rootstocks stool bed, which includes Quince A, Quince C and BA 29. 

What are the biggest challenges for the apple and pear industry? 

The past five years have presented complex challenges, including significant financial hardship due to natural disaster, coupled with low pear and apple prices. Fruit growers can pivot and problem solve when the challenges are complex; however, the art of balancing financial exposure, business development and coolstore operations while introducing innovative practices can be a tough skill to master. As growers, we need real options to save money and increase profits. 

What are the biggest opportunities for the industry? 

I remain positive and passionate about the industry. There are strong opportunities if you stick to what you’re good at, with a good mix of varieties matched with excellent quality. There is no room for fruit that does not make it into a box.  

What will you be focusing on as APAL Director representing pear growers? 

My single focus is to enable healthier returns for pear growers. To achieve this, I would like to see supply matched with demand, which means scrutiny of what is being planted and a boost in market opportunities both domestically and overseas. The industry must be supported to grow premium quality and high yields of fruit in the face of unpredictable weather. 

This article was first published in the Summer 2024 edition of AFG.