Business
28 November, 2021
Dimbulah Mango And Citrus Grower Crowned Fnq Farmer Of The Year
RAYMOND Courtice, a Calypso mango and citrus grower from Dimbulah, west of Mareeba, has been crowned the 2021 Charlie Nastasi Horticultural Farmer of the Year. Mr Courtice, 29, is a partner with his father in Ontario Mangoes.
He was one of three nominees for the prestigious award which honours Bibhoora farmer Charlie Nastasi.
Mark Taylor, Irresistible Orchard, and Shaun and Debbie Jackson, Daintree Fresh, were also nominated.
Mr Courtice’s achievements include:
• first Queensland mango grower to send fruit to Western Australia (development of protocol for whole-of-industry)
• establishment of a state-of-the-art packhouse
• establishment of a quarantine facility to assist with providing seasonal labour to Mareeba-Dimbulah region.
FNQ Growers president Joe Moro said each of the three nominees were worthy of the award, and all were shining examples of the future of the horticulture industry in Far North Queensland.
“Choosing a winner is always difficult and this year was no different, with a fair deal of deliberation by the judges,” Mr Moro said. “The calibre of the nominees shows the industry’s future is in good hands.”
The award was the highlight of the association’s dinner held in Mareeba on Saturday night. A produce auction raised more than $7000 for the Mareeba Friends of the Hospital Foundation.
