ABA DIRECTORS
PETER HAYES Chairman
Peter was appointed as the ABA independent Chairperson in February 2020 . Peter has extensive experience across education and training , R & D investment and management , viticultural operations , the irrigation sector and government and industry affairs . Peter has held various industry positions including Deputy Chancellor of Charles Sturt University and a board member of Irrigation Australia . Peter operates as an independent Wine Industry Strategist and Advisor with activity in Australia , India and the UK . He is also Business Editor of the International Journal of Wine Economics and Policy .
PETER CAVALLARO Adelaide Region Grower Representative
Peter holds a Diploma in Agriculture and has been involved in the Almond Industry since 1973 , when his family bought an almond orchard at Angle Vale . He has also been involved in the cut flower industry where growing and marketing were his main responsibilities and he was a director of the Adelaide Flower Market .
In 1999 , Peter developed an almond orchard with the family at Angle Vale and in 2002 , seeing the scope of the industry , he became involved in developing an almond orchard at Walker Flat of which he is now General Manager .
Peter is a Chairman of the Production Committee and a member of the Plant Improvement Committee .
BRENDAN SIDHU Riverland Region Grower Representative
Brendan Sidhu is CEO of Century Orchards , a large almond orchard based in the Riverland , South Australia and Managing Director of Laragon Almond Processors based at Lindsay Point in Victoria . Brendan has been involved in the Australian almond industry since 1983 , holding positions as both Secretary and Chair of the Riverland region of the Australian Almond Growers ’ Association ( AAGA ). In 2007 , Brendan was appointed to the ABA Board , holding the position of Chairman from 2009 – 2012 . He has been a member of the Australian Almond Industry Advisory Committee ( IAC ), the Remuneration Committee , the Conference Committee and is the Chair of the Market Development and Almond Centre of Excellence Committees . Brendan also sits on the Hort Innovation Almond Strategic Advisory Panel and has recently been appointed as Chairman of the Australian Nut Industry Council ( ANIC ). Brendan holds an Advanced Diploma in Horticulture and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors .
LUKE STOECKEL Riverland Region Grower Representative Luke grew up on his family ’ s almond and broadacre farm near Renmark in South Australia and is now Managing Director of Cannonball Almonds . He oversees the operations and development of the Almond and Broadacre enterprises at Bunyip Reach . In 2009 Luke completed a Bachelor of Science ( Petroleum Geology ) degree from Adelaide University and worked internationally as an Engineer in the Oil Industry before returning home in 2014 . Since returning home Luke has developed Cannonball Almonds which is planted with 75 % Australian National Almond Breeding Program varieties . Luke also sits on the South Australian Murray Irrigators Committee .
JAMES CALLIPARI Riverina Region Grower Representative
James completed a Bachelor of Applied Science ( Agriculture ) degree , graduating in 2003 before returning to the family farming business in a formal capacity . He has extensive experience in all aspects of the production of a wide range of fruits , vegetables and grains , both irrigated and dryland . James commenced his involvement in the Australian Almond Industry with the development of an almond orchard in the Riverina region during 2006 where his past farming experience proved invaluable . In 2013 , James was the recipient of the Phil Watters Award which recognises excellence and service to the Australian Almond Industry .
NEALE BENNETT Sunraysia Region Grower Representative
Neale has been involved with almonds since converting his family farm from vines in 1992 . Neale also operates a contract almond harvesting business , Cowanna Harvesting . Neale has filled the roles of Chairman and Sunraysia Region Grower Representative on the ABA Board as well as Secretary , Treasurer and Chairman of the Sunraysia region of the Australian Almond Growers ’ Association ( AAGA ). Neale ’ s committee positions include Chair of both the Remuneration Committee and Conference Committees and represents the ABA at Horticulture Innovation Australia .
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2021 / 22 ABA ANNUAL REPORT
2020 / 21 ABA ANNUAL REPORT