The Passion Vine
The Passion Vine – September 2012
Post Office Box 321 Pomona QLD 4568
Executive Report
It’s been a very busy quarter since the last Passion Vine. The Annual Industry Report has been released for the Passionfruit industry and for those of you who weren’t able to make it to the AGM/ALPM in Murwillumbah you will have found a copy with this edition of Passion Vine. If for some reason you haven’t received one, please don’t hesitate to call and I will post one immediately. We have received orders for 17,685 Misty Gem and Sweetheart plants but I’m sure there are plenty more orders sitting on your desks buried under all the other paperwork that seems to multiply before our very eyes! The same goes for
September 2012 Newsletter of Passionfruit Australia Incorporated
By Jann Bonsall
Spring has arrived with a vengeance in SEQ! After the past two spring/summer seasons I thought I’d never hear anyone say “I wish it would rain” for the rest of my living days, but that’s exactly how it is. No real rain for nearly ten weeks makes it a bit tough out there in the horticulture sector. No doubt there is rain coming, it’s just a matter of when.
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membership renewals. As of today (23rd September) I have received 54 renewals which is 8 less than last year at exactly the same date and 20 fewer than the total from 2011-12. I’ve been looking back over the past few years and last year’s membership was 19 fewer than 2010-11. If I go back to 200708 there were 118 members, which means the Executive and I have to get out there and talk to the growers and bring them on board! I don’t want to repeat the President’s words too much, but I would like to personally thank Scott Maltby, Ross Brindley and Bruce McPherson for their time on PAI and for the support they have given me, along with the rest of the Executives, over the past 12 months. I’d also like to welcome our new Executives, Jim Gordon and Tina McPherson. All the new contact details appear in the following pages for your information. The Executive met very briefly after the AGM to elect their President and Vice President.
Keith Paxton was unanimously voted for as President, as was Ian Constable as Vice President. Steve Gray has accepted the role as Chair of the Vine Committee, a role he had already been fulfilling for the past few months. It was pointed out at the Annual Levy Payers’ Meeting that you, the growers, are being represented by the Executive members on the Industry Advisory Committee and therefore, if you have anything you believe you can contribute please don’t hesitate to contact any of the Executives or members of the IAC. The outcomes of the Marketing Campaign for 2011-12 have been very positive as you will see from the report later in Passion Vine (ALPM report). We will keep you up to date with the 2012-13 campaign as it is finalised. May the rain come to your farms and may the passionfruit be bountiful for the consumer AND you, the grower!