FOUR DECADES FIGHTING FOR GROWERS

Paul Schembri, CANEGROWERS Chairman since 2013, has retired after spending close to two thirds of his life representing his fellow Queensland and Australian sugarcane growers.

“The great opportunity that I had was to start so young,” Mr Schembri says. “It’s a great privilege I’ve had to represent growers on the state, national and international stage.”

Bailed up at a rail siding by Bill Benson and Charlie Jenson, a 23-year-old Paul Schembri was convinced to take a vacant place on a local area mill suppliers’ committee in 1983.

“Not many months or meetings passed before the rest of the committee realised we had talent sitting around the table,” Farleigh committee colleague Malcolm Pratt recalls. “He was keen and you could see Paul had the makings of a leader.”

Despite Mr Schembri himself telling his mother after those early meetings that he felt out of his depth, he was made chairman after a few years.

“I was elevated quite quickly up the ladder,” Mr Schembri recalled. “In ’89, I found myself on the Queensland Cane Growers Council at the age of 31.

“It was one of my first trips to Brisbane representing the sugar industry and it was quite intimidating, but one of the guys that greeted me at the door was one of the oldest members of the Council, Bert Pollock, who put his arm around me and put his hand out to me, the hand of friendship to the youngest member.”

Pictured: (right) L-R Bill Benson, Malcolm Pratt, Paul Schembri, (top) Paul Schembri's shed podcast.

One year short of four decades representing sugarcane growers, Paul says each one has had its own character and challenges, making the industry today almost unrecognisable from the one in which he started farming as a 17-year-old.

“The 80s were a major struggle for the industry with low sugar prices that nearly collapsed the industry.

"The industry was heavily regulated and growers went on a CANEGROWERS Cane Train rally to Brisbane to argue for a better price,” he said.

“In the 90s, the handbrake was let go and the industry boomed. The area under cane increased by 50% and the volume of sugar increased by 40%. Driven by strong world sugar prices we were in expansion-mode.

“Then come the early 2000s we had the first inklings of deregulation and we had to take it on, both within CANEGROWERS and the industry, because then the industry was highly regulated at the macro end, but at the farm gate there was no regulation.

“Two decades on and it’s tipped right over - there’s very little regulation at the macro end but we are being submerged in farm regulation.

Paul has been a valuable, pragmatic contributor to the NFF and its leadership of Australian agriculture. He has been at the table as NFF developed positions on the biggest issues facing contemporary agriculture. He has been a steadfast advocate for the sugarcane industry ... he has never taken a step backwards from doing what is needed to secure a sustainable, prosperous future for Australia’s sugarcane growers.

Fiona Simson Chairwoman, NFF

“Then, the past ten years has been the social licence issues, demonstrating we’ve got the right environmental credentials has been the challenge for us and I believe our credentials are strong and we can make the grade for the community and the government.”

Mr Schembri says the one thing that’s been constant for growers and CANEGROWERS, is change.

“We have had to change. The drivers of the change have been different, but we’ve constantly had to evolve.

“The industry’s been here for over 150 years, we’re one of the oldest, most mature industries in Australia and we will continue to adapt.

I’ve known Paul for 23 years ... I sat next to him at my first QCGO board meeting, from that day we struck a friendship that still stands. He was then and still is now a very strong advocate for the sugar industry. Since he took on the role as chairman the growing sector has been well represented across many issues. He has been a great inspiration to many and his industry knowledge will be missed.

Allan Dingle Chairman, QFF

“Challenges will come and go, but if we stay united and get our voice out there, we will have a bright future.”

After 39 years, Mr Schembri said he knew the 2022 CANEGROWERS election was time to retire.

“I felt it was a good time for me and a good time for the organisation to reset. Renewal is a great thing so I see it as a positive.” •

Paul's impact on the culture of CANEGROWERS has been profound. He has brought about a sharpened focus to how we consider and service our members with passion and integrity. Through his example he has inspired many of our people to see through barriers and find solutions to bring about what can be a bright future for the industry. He should be very proud of his contribution and the industry should be very grateful for his service.

Dan Galligan CEO, CANEGROWERS