Travis Georgopoulos from GV Independent Packers Pty Ltd in Shepparton received the Industry Rising Star Award. Photo: Abram Rasmussen.
Apple and Pear Australia Ltd has awarded the successful recipients of the 2025 APAL Awards for Excellence in Shepparton, including one local winner.
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This year, eight individuals have been recognised across six award categories for their exceptional contributions to the growth and success of the sector.
The award categories include the Lifetime Achievement Awards, Grower of the Year, Industry Rising Star, Women in Horticulture Award, Marketer of the Year, Research and Extension Provider of the Year and the Agritourism Award.
Travis Georgopoulos, from Shepparton, won the Industry Rising Star award for his work with GV Independent Packers Pty Ltd.
He started work on his family farm at the age of 18, developing a passion and commitment to working to improve fruit quality at a young age, and is today responsible for 560 hectares of mostly apples and pears.
His commitment to fruit quality drives him to continually improve in the orchards, working with industry agronomists and consultants to evolve his agronomic knowledge, which has become his greatest asset, especially in areas such as integrated pest and disease management and organic production.
2025 APAL Awards for Excellence recipients
Award
Recipient
Business/ organisation
State
Lifetime Achievement Award
Scott Price
Fruit Growers Tasmania; R&R Smith (retired)
Tasmania
Lifetime Achievement Award
Paul James
Lenswood Cooperative (retired)
South Australia
Grower of the Year
Brett Squibb
RW Squibb & Sons Pty Ltd
Tasmania
Industry Rising Star
Travis Georgopoulos
GV Independent Packers Pty Ltd
Victoria
Women in Horticulture Award
Nicole Giblett
Newton Orchards
Western Australia
Research & Extension Provider of the Year
Hannah James
AgroFresh
Victoria
Agritourism Award
Sam Licciardello
Orchard 1 Sixty
Western Australia
Marketer of the Year
Shane Priest
Priest Bros Orchards Pty Ltd
Victoria
AgroFresh's Hannah James was the 2025 Research & Extension Provider of the Year recipient. Photo: Darren James.
“Each year, the APAL Awards for Excellence highlight the depth of talent, commitment and passion across our industry,” Apple & Pear Australia Ltd chief executive Phil Turnbull said.
“This year’s recipients are a great demonstration of what makes our industry so strong, from emerging leaders to lifelong contributors.
“To all of this year’s recipients, congratulations on your work, driving the future of the Australian apple and pear industry.”
The recipients were announced in early June 2025, however the presentation evening happened on Monday, August 4 at Belcibo & Co in Shepparton.
The APAL Awards for Excellence recognise the outstanding achievements of the industry's most successful growers, researchers, innovators and businesses working across the pome fruit industry.
Award recipients were presented with a trophy and could select either a $1000 travel voucher or a $1500 contribution towards professional learning and development.
Priest Bros Orchards Pty Ltd’s Shane Priest received the Marketer of the Year award. Photo: Darren James.
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