GWYDIR Cotton Growers’ Association held its annual charity awards dinner – an evening of recognition, celebration, and community spirit – at Moree Town and Country Club on Thursday night.
The night of connection, good food and well-deserved acknowledgements, shone a light on local contributions across the north-west while raising funds for the Gwydir CGA medical scholarship to support local medical students with placement.
Gwydir Cotton Growers’ Association secretary, Georgina Rowlands, thanked all who attended and supported the fundraiser.
“It was a spectacular evening, with local growers and industry stakeholders celebrating the past year’s achievements, with an air of anticipation for the season to come,” Ms Rowlands said.
“Everyone dug deep to support our fundraising initiatives for the Gwydir medical scholarship and Moree community groups – all in all, it was a fantastic event,” she said.
Attendee, Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association executive officer Lou Gall, congratulated the team behind the event.
“It was a great night, with a good cross-section of growers and industry partners in attendance,” Ms Gall said.
The winning irrigated crop was won by Earl Carter and the team at Milo with a massive 17.8B/ha, and the winning dryland crop was awarded to Ben Brown and his team at East Tycannah.
The Young Achiever Award was presented to Will Jackman from Sundown Pastoral Company and the Service to Industry Award was won by Lindsay Tuart.
“This award has been presented since 1992 to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the industry, and Lindsay most definitely has done this,” Ms Gall said.
“He has been a local cotton consultant since the very early days of the industry and is one of the most capable field-based entomologists in the industry.
“Lindsay has regularly been seen leaning over a microscope looking for predation of silver leaf white fly or mites, or something else as much out of curiosity as to find a solution to a problem.
“He was one of the first in the industry to identify aphids as the cause of the bunchy top disease that was devastating crops in the 1980s,” she said.
A charity auction was held to raise funds for the Gwydir CGA medical scholarship, which is currently open for nominations, as well as funds to support small, local schools.
Meanwhile, Gwydir Cotton Growers’ Association will host Mates on a Mission in Moree on Monday night at Social Co House from 6.30pm.
South Australian charity Ski for Life is bringing Mike Rolls and Ben Pettingill – affectionately known as Legless & Blind – to Moree.
Ski For Life, committed to promoting mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention in rural and regional Australian communities, said Mates On A Mission program is an exciting initiative designed to make a positive impact on such communities.
“Mike contracted Meningococcal at 18 resulting in the loss of his legs and Ben lost 98 per cent of his eyesight overnight at 16 years of age.
Georgina Rowlands said Mike and Ben are great mates.
“They are down to earth, love having a laugh but also know how to talk about the things that we often avoid,” Ms Rowlands said.
“Both know first-hand what it’s like to face tough times and battle with their mental health.
“Social Co House has sponsored the space for the event, and we look forward to having everyone join for a conversation, and a beer and nibblies,” she said.
Mates on a Mission
When: Monday, September 15
Where: Social Co House on Balo Street
Time: From 6.30pm
