Dear VCA Members,

I am elated to announce that the restructure of Cherry Growers Australia has made significant progress.

On May 16 2025, Cherry Growers Australia Limited was incorporated, with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) confirming registration of Cherry Growers Australia Limited (CGA) as a company limited by guarantee.

This change in structure is the result of years, if not decades, of hard work and dedication by those passionate about creating a truly resourced and better positioned body to service the Australian cherry industry.

As you would recall the key changes of the restructure enable CGA to provide:
• a stronger and more unified voice and enhanced industry representation;
• increased connection, consultation and engagement with industry;
• data driven strategic decision making;
• a broader membership framework that allows memberships from individual growers, state associations, industry suppliers and stakeholders;
• improved operational efficiency, compliance, flexibility and transparency; and
• a resourced full time CEO and skills-focused board with directors elected by members.

Incorporation is not the last step in achieving this vision – there is still much work to be done. As a team, we look forward to strengthening CGA’s capacity to become a year-round, proactive and industry driven resource; growing and supporting industry’s sustainability and longevity. This truly is an exciting moment in CGA’s and the Australian cherry industry’s history.

From an operational sense, the previous Board of Management members have now become the Initial Directors of the new CGA Board. The office bearers are:

Chair: Alison Jones
Deputy Chair: Brent McClintock
Honorary Treasurer: Samantha Flanery

Penny Measham has been appointed as the CEO, and is supported by Kate McGilvray Interim COO, Chris Lethbridge Trade Development Coordinator and Gita Ricca Communications Officer.

We invite you to become a member of Cherry Growers Australia Limited.

With the new structure now in place, this is your opportunity to join CGA as a member and help shape the future of the industry. Whether you're a grower, part of a state association, supplier or stakeholder, we welcome your involvement and support as we take this important next step together.

Below is the link to the membership form and a copy of the constitution. We urge you to complete the form that is relevant to you and return it the CGA Office as soon as possible.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated and will allow CGA to strategically plan for and effectively oversee the industry’s growth. This is momentous step in CGA’s evolution which could not have been achieved without your support and commitment. This is something that I am immensely grateful for and I extend my thanks to you.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or one of the CGA team if you have any questions.

Yours sincerely,

Alison Jones
CGA - Chair

Click HERE for CGA Website