ABA Directors
Darren Minter Sunraysia Grower Director
Darren is Managing Director of Minter Magic , a large almond , asparagus and citrus property situated in lraak , Victoria . Darren is a major shareholder in the Red Cliffs Almond Growers Co-op , started in 1985 . He is also member of the Australian Asparagus Council and a member of Citrus Australia . Darren holds a Diploma of Production Horticulture and was the VFF Victorian Apprentice of the year in 1988 ( Fruit Section ). In addition to being an ABA Board Grower representative for the Sunraysia Region , Darren serves on the Plant Improvement Committee , R & D Forum Committee and Water Committee .
Luke Stoeckel Riverland Grower Director
Luke grew up on his family ’ s almond and broadacre farm near Renmark , South Australia , and is now Managing Director of Cannonball Almonds . He oversees operations and development at Bunyip Reach . In 2009 , Luke completed a Bachelor of Science ( Petroleum Geology ) from Adelaide University and worked internationally as an Engineer in the Oil Industry before returning home in 2014 . Since then , he has developed Cannonball Almonds , planted with 75 % Australian National Almond Breeding Program varieties . Luke also sits on the South Australian Murray Irrigators Committee .
Brendan Sidhu Riverland Grower Director
Brendan Sidhu is the CEO of Century Orchards and Managing Director of Laragon Almond Processors . Active in the Australian almond industry since 1983 , he has held roles such as Secretary and Chair of the Riverland region of the Australian Almond Growers ’ Association ( AAGA ). Appointed to the ABA Board in 2007 , he served as Chairman from 2009 to 2012 . Brendan has been part of various committees , including the Australian Almond Industry Advisory Committee and the Market Development and Almond Centre of Excellence Committees . He also sits on the Hort Innovation Almond Strategic Advisory Panel and is the 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 .
David Surveyor Marketer Director
David was appointed Managing Director and CEO of Select Harvests Limited on 20th February 2023 . He has diverse industry experience , particularly in the food sector . Previously , he was Chief Executive of Alliance Group Limited , Chairman of Alliance Group ( NZ ) Ltd , and held directorships at The Lamb Company ( North America ), Meateor Pet Foods , and Beef and Lamb New Zealand . He was also a member of the Meat Industry Association Council . Additionally , David served as Executive General Manager of Laminex , a subsidiary of Fletcher Building , and held roles with BHP in Australia and as President of Bluescope Lysaght in Malaysia .
Paul Stewart Marketer Director
Paul Stewart is the Group Sales and Marketing Manager at Almondco Australia Ltd , overseeing the sales team ’ s strategic direction and annual intake . He joined Almondco in January 2022 and has over 40 years of experience in horticulture and agribusiness , mainly in SA ’ s Riverland region . Starting in Finance and Administration at Berri Fruit Juices , which became Berrivale Orchards Ltd , he moved into Operations . He later held the Group Operations role at Riverland Fruit Co-op and became CEO of Sunnyland Fruits Pty Ltd . A Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants , he has also served on the board of Sunbeam Foods .
Daisy Toscan Riverina Grower Director
Daisy Toscan is a dedicated and innovative farmer based in Darlington Point , New South Wales . She is an integral part of the Cavaso Farming operation , a family-run business that has been thriving since 1969 .
Daisy holds a Bachelor of Applied Science ( Agriculture ) and grew up on a small grazing property at Corowa . Her dedication to the land and her family ’ s legacy is evident in her continuous efforts to improve and sustain their farming practices for future generations . Daisy is a member of the ABA Sustainability Committee .
ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024 | 9