Attard Family Farms in Burnett Heads has been named a finalist in the 2021 Queensland Horticulture Export Awards.
The awards, facilitated through Growcom, provide an opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of the industry’s leaders and for the wider industry to celebrate the best and brightest in the field.
Attard Family Farms has been exporting rockmelons for over 30 years to destinations such as Japan, Singapore and New Zealand.
The family are firm advocates for best management practice and support both sustainable and ethical farming practices.
Annie and Jason Attard are at the helm of the operations on the farm, as well as Jason's father and their son.
“My father-in-laws parents started the farm about 70-odd years ago,” Annie said.
“The farm began exporting overseas in the 80s when a group of producers from the region got together to establish the South Pacific Melon Group.”
Annie said the exportation process was an important part of the livelihood of the farm and was also instrumental in providing opportunities for Australian produce to be showcased throughout the rest of the world.
“Exporting means we get to exhibit what we can produce in Australia,” she said.
“It helps with the market and overall, it helps with running our farm and our livelihood.
“We are thrilled to have been named a finalist in the Queensland Horticulture Export Awards- we are only a little fish in a big pond – it is a great honour.”
Growcom Chair Belinda Adams said all finalists had demonstrated their commitment to the Queensland horticulture industry and had made valuable contributions to its ongoing growth and success.
“They are all deserving nominees who have been recognised by their peers and colleagues for their achievements,” she said.
“Given the high calibre, it will certainly be tough to pick a winner in each category.”
The Queensland Horticulture Exporter of the Year Award will be presented to an individual or businesses that has demonstrated a strong commitment to exporting; invested in building a sustainable export capability; and actively contributes to activities that assist the industry to increase horticultural exports.
The Award winners will be announced on Tuesday, 8 June at the Queensland Horticulture Export Dinner being held in conjunction with Hort Connections at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
