In case you missed last year’s inaugural growers awards we thought we’d refresh your memory and let you know that they are back on this year and will be presented at the 2023 National TurfBreed Grower Conference in May.
Why the awards?
TurfBreed wants to recognise the businesses in the grower network that are excelling in different areas. It is important to note that it is not just the size of the farm that counts but the effort and passion that goes into growing premium quality turf. While these awards were officially announced at the National Conference in QLD last year, we thought it very fitting to again present them to the NSW grower award winners who were struggling with the effects that were left from floods. In total there are nine awards.
Syngenta’s – Excellence in Variety Marketing
The Award criteria:
- Use of myhomeTURF marketing material
- Using assets within the Marketing Manual
- Actively involved in building myhomeTURF’s presence
The 2022 winner’s Tarcoola Turf excelled in raising consumer brand awareness to TurfBreed’s different varieties by featuring variety videos, A4 brochures and variety images that are all supported by effective social media campaigns
(Above) Syngenta’s – Excellence in Variety Marketing winner’s Tarcoola Turf – Harry Tyson.
Turf Project of Distinction
The Award criteria:
- A business that has tendered and supplied turf (and may in some instances have installed the turf) to a prominent project.
- The business does not need to be the biggest or greatest project but highlights how a grower/farm sought out a good opportunity for their business.
- How the project placed the variety of choice on the map in terms of publicity
The Abulk Turf – for their Parramatta Light Rail Project with Nara Native Zoysia
The 2022 winner’s were Abulk Turf for their contribution to the Parramatta Light Rail Project which ash become Australia’s longest green track totalling about 1 kilometre of grass between and beside the light rail tracks. After 12-months of trial work, which included both Nara Native Zoysia and Palmetto Buffalo – Nara was the chosen choice as it suited the local conditions, had very low maintenance and very high drought tolerance. Abulk Turf has supplied 18,000m2 of Nara.
Excellence in Google Reviews
The Award criteria:
- Google Reviews provide useful information and help a grower’s business stand out. Reviews show up next to a business’s Google Business Profile in Maps and Search.
And the 2022 winners were Albert Valley Turf in QLD who had 142 Google Reviews with a star rating average of 4.9%.
TurfBreed Grower Business Award
The Award criteria:
- The TurfBreed Grower Business Award recognises a grower who has implemented an innovative idea that shows initiative, future planning and cost savings.
Winners Kerri Everson and Mark Simpson from ETURF in NSW showed initiative with the adoption of re-usable turf pallet netting. Called PC Net, the netting is an alternative to single-use pallet stretch wrap, which is not environmentally friendly and expensive.
(Above) The team from ETURF in NSW.
Trimax – Inspirational Young Grower
The Award criteria:
- To acknowledge, encourage and most importantly promote the positive achievements of all young turf growers within the TurfBreed network.
And the winners were the boys from Rivers Edge Turf – Jonathan and Michael Mifsud who are based in NSW’s Hawkesbury Region.
The enthusiasm of the dynamic duo brothers Jonathan (Operations Manager) and Michael Mifsud (Estimator) from Rivers Edge is a force to be reckoned with! For the Mifsud Family, no turf job is too small or too big and location is never an issue. Their thirst for commercial projects, particularly with their commitment to TurfBreed’s Nara Native Zoysia is commendable.
TurfPlus – MHT Quoting Leaders
The Award criteria:
- As per the data from the myhomeTURF website quoting tool – for the past 12 months.
And the winners were Australian Seed and Turf for the financial year 2021/22 who received 153 quote requests with a 95% response rate
Australian Seed & Turf is located at Carrum Downs in Victoria. Farm Manager Paul Bardsley is a well-respected grower who is very hands on both on the farm and in the office. The staff’s attention to detail and customer service is evident when noting the 2021/22 myhomeTURF quoting figures and response rate.
(Above) Paul Bardsley from Australian Seed and Turf.
PLP – Best Customer Service
The Award criteria:
- Determined by TurfBreed’s 2022 Secret Shopper Independent Survey
And our Winner of PLP’s – Best Customer Service Award was Lorn Turf.
Lorn Turf are a new addition to the TurfBreed family, based in the Hunter region and owned by Andrew Coombe and Anna Fraser. When contacted by the Secret Shopper, Andrew showed true ‘sales traits’ in being able to successfully greet the customer, find out their name, ask how the customer found out about Lorn Turf, and then review and help decide what turf would best suit the customer.
Trident – New Grower Award
The Award criteria:
- This award recognises new growers to the industry and acknowledges how they have evolved, sourced knowledge and integrated into the turf market.
And the Winner for the Trident – New Grower Award was Mildura Premium Turf
Owned by Justin and Michelle Nicholas, Mildura Premium Turf is located in northern Victorian on an old Sultana farm. Before renovating the Sultana farm into turf production, Justin and Michelle researched which turf variety would best suit their climate and be able to capture the local market. Justin consulted with many different turf growers far and wide and visited TurfBreed’s Victorian Living Library based at Melbourne Polytechnic. Today they successfully supply the local market, actively promote Kenda Kikuyu and make a huge statement on social media.
Our final Award … was the Ann McKeon Memorial Award(NSW CONF)
– to be presented by Ann’s closes friend and companion Marie Simpson.
For all of the TurfBreed Team and Grower network – TurfBreed’s NSW Business Development Manager, Ann Mckeon was more than just a colleague rather an integral part of the TurfBreed family. Her lust for life and drive was contagious to all who knew her. Ann passed away in November 2022 and following her passing there was an amazing out-pouring of love and best wishes from our growers and industry friends.
The Award criteria:
- The Ann McKeon Memorial Award honours the strong fellowship and contribution she gave to our TurfBreed family. The worthy recipients are therefore recognised for their service and contributions to the turf sector.
And the winners are Jess and Dave Micallef from Abulk Turf.
Jess and Dave are the definition of pillars of the community. On top of running their family business, they took it upon themselves to represent ALL the businesses in the Richmond Lowlands and Cornwallis area – not just the turf farms, when lobbying council and local and federal governments for the rebuilding of flood devastated infrastructure.
Following the floods, they initially started by contacting their local member and organised a community meeting at the local club with key stakeholders. They continue to be instrumental in organising regular meetings, liaising with the Hawkesbury Council then communicating information back to the local community. The Hawkesbury Region is very lucky to have two passionate, driven individuals in Jess and Dave and we are very fortunate to have them as part of our TurfBreed grower network.
(Above) Winners of the Ann McKeon Award – Jess and Dave Micallef from Abulk Turf and the boys!