AUSTRALIAN ALMOND
CONFERENCE
Michelle ’ s almond industry honour
Following over two decades of dedication to the Australian almond industry , Dr Michelle Wirthensohn was honoured with a Contribution to Industry Award .
DR Michelle Wirthensohn was honoured with a Contribution to Industry Award at the Australian Almond Conference Gala Dinner for her hard work and dedication to the almond industry over the past two decades . Almond Industry Hall of Fame member Andrew Lacey spoke to the crowd about Dr Wirthensohn ' s background and involvement in the industry , touching on how she came to work with almonds . Dr Wirthensohn is currently the Program Leader of the National Almond Breeding Program based at the Waite Campus of the University of Adelaide and has dedicated much of her professional career to the study of almonds . She joined the university ’ s Almond
Breeding Program in 2000 after it was first started in 1997 . Dr Wirthensohn was recommended to the organisers of the program after she finished her Doctorate and she took up the position with much enthusiasm . “ The program ’ s success was reliant on strong connections with overseas breeders , and Michelle helped establish great relationships with contacts abroad ,” Mr Lacey said . “ She worked with Waite and overseas researchers to complete the DNA profile of the almond , which has played a pivotal role in the breeding program , with the profile providing a much clearer path to what would assist the goals of the industry and made quick progress possible .” Mr Lacey said Michelle showed
immense dedication to the program and spent a significant amount of time overseas working on the research , and even took her family on longer stays . “ She has always given 100 per cent to the program for the benefit of almond growers and has played a pivotal role in the growth of the Australian almond industry ,” he said . Dr Wirthensohn ' s legacy includes the varieties released by the program , including five self-fertile varieties , but also the new ones to be released in the future . She will enter into a much-deserved retirement in July 2023 after over 20 years of incredible dedication and hard work .
industry . australianalmonds . com . au
17