Innovative Queenslanders take out agriculture awards

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Economic Development Bill Byrne has congratulated the winners of the 2016 Peter Kenny Medal and the Minister’s Emerging Leaders Award, who have been recognised for their contribution to the agricultural sector at the AgFutures Conference in Brisbane.

 Minister Byrne said the awards had been established in 2016 to reward and encourage those who had made outstanding contributions to a better future in agriculture, fisheries or forestry.

 At the conference dinner on Tuesday night Dan Papacek was named the winner of the 2016 Peter Kenny Medal while Claire Dunne won the Emerging Leaders Award.

 “These awards have attracted a very strong field of applicants and the winners are very worthy recipients. I congratulate all of the nominees,” the Minister said.

 The Peter Kenny Medal, and $3000, was the prize for innovation leading to profitability and sustainability.

 “Mr Kenny was an influential and devoted advocate of agriculture, rural education and regional communities.

 “He was passionate about agriculture and rural issues and educating the next generation of producers. Applicants for this prize had to be involved in agriculture, fisheries or forestry in some capacity.

 “Winner Dan Papacek is a leader in his field, committed to advancing Queensland agriculture through the use of integrated pest management.

 “His mission is to help Australian growers achieve best practice management with minimal pesticides.

“Dan has been a true role model and leader through his generosity in educating and mentoring young researchers and providing unfunded extension advice to growers.

 “He started his business ‘Bugs for Bugs’ in Munduberra in 1981, at a time when integrated pest management and use of beneficial insects to control pest insects was not common practice.

 "Dan’s perseverance and belief in the science has meant that Bugs for Bugs is now one of Australia’s leading suppliers of biological control agents.”

 The Minister’s Emerging Leaders Award recognises an individual from within the primary industry sector who has demonstrated outstanding leadership or potential to make a contribution to their field or profession, the wider industry and the community.

“This is an award for up and comers and is only open to young leaders aged 18 to 30,” the Minister said.

“Inaugral winner Claire Dunne receives a $2000 prize to further develop her career and leadership capabilities.

“Claire is the creator and current editor-in-chief of rural women’s magazine ‘Graziher’, a collection of women’s stories, feature articles, recipes and interviews on a variety of rural topics.

“We know that life on the land can be very lonely for many women, and the reception to Claire’s magazine has shown the broad and diverse market there is for this type of literature.

“Graziher is reducing the isolation, connecting communities and showcasing the myriad of opportunities available in rural and remote locations.”

The Palaszczuk Government is committed to driving innovation, building on Queensland’s natural advantages and raising Queensland’s profile as attractive investment destination.

“Building this future will largely depend on attracting and nurturing Queensland’s best and brightest by giving them opportunities to develop their skills and put their ideas into action,” the Minister said.

“These awards have revealed the high calibre of nominees from a across a variety of industries and roles, and the finalists all demonstrated exceptional leadership in their chosen fields.

“I commend them for their hard work, commitment and passion for advancing Queensland’s agricultural interests.”

 ENDS

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