FNQ Growers Gala Awards attracts farmers from across North Queensland
About 470 people from across Far North Queensland gathered to celebrate horticulture on the Atherton Tablelands last Friday night.
The FNQ Growers gala dinner was declared a great success, with the achievements of farmers in the region the focus of the night.
Frank and Dianne Sciacca, Pacific Coast Eco Bananas, Boogan, took out the prestigious 2019 Charlie Nastasi Horticultural Farmer of the Year at the event, which was held at the Mareeba Soccer Club.
FNQ Growers chair, Joe Moro said the move to the outdoor venue this year was a great success, with hundreds in attendance.
“The evening was a great success, with around 470 growers, supporters and industry stakeholders attending,” Mr Moro said. “This vindicates our move to an outdoor venue, which was well planned, catered and delivered through our collaboration with the Mareeba Soccer Club, dinner sponsors and other stakeholders.”
Mr Moro said a fruit and vegetable auction of fresh produce donated by growers in the region was a highlight of the evening, with $20,000 raised for the Mareeba Friends of the Hospital Fund. “It also highlights the value of our horticultural region, which is worth more than half a billion dollars to the Atherton Tablelands region.”
