At GRDC Grains Research Updates across Australia in February and March, three industry stalwarts and two emerging leaders were recognised for their contribution to the industry.
Established in 1999, the regional GRDC Seed of Light award goes to an individual in recognition of their outstanding contribution, dedication and commitment to communicating research outcomes to people working in the grains industry.
Since 2014, the GRDC Emerging Leader award has recognised those under 35 years old for their commitment and passion for the Australian grains industry and supports them to enhance their future contribution.
In case you missed it, here are the award recipients.
Seed of Light
West – Svetlana Micic, an Albany-based entomologist with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
When presenting the award, GRDC Western Panel chair Gary Lang described Ms Micic as an excellent communicator of broadacre pest management research outcomes, who was highly respected by growers, agronomists and consultants.
Seed of Light award winner Cam Nicholson. Photo: GRDC
“Svetlana has been an exceptional communicator of GRDC-invested project work around insect pest monitoring and surveillance and integrated pest management,” Mr Lang said.
South – Cam Nicholson, an agricultural consultant and national leader in extension, supports the uptake of new practices that increase grower profitability and productivity while managing risks.
GRDC Southern Panel chair Andrew Russell said Mr Nicholson “is always at the forefront of learning – not just the most useful and relevant agronomic and business management knowledge, but also in developing expertise in behaviour change to best support practice change for growers”.
North – Mark Congreve, a senior consultant at Independent Consultants Australia Network, an agricultural consultancy specialising in understanding and facilitating change within Australian cropping industries.
Arthur Gearon, GRDC Northern Panel chair, said Mr Congreve’s “understanding of the challenges faced by growers has made him a go-to adviser and a respected figure in the industry”.
Emerging Leader
West – Kate Witham, a research agronomist with SLR Agriculture. Ms Witham is the WA lead for the GRDC national long coleoptile project led by CSIRO.
South – Dr Audrey Delahunty, a research scientist at Agriculture Victoria, is well known to GRDC, researchers and growers across the industry through her research and regular speaking slots at GRDC Grains Research Updates and crop walks across the Wimmera and Mallee.
More information: Seed of Light awards.
