Dear Cherry Growers,
I am delighted to announce some important changes that will occur at Cherry Growers Australia (CGA) over the coming months.
Following extensive consultation and industry support, last week the CGA members met and unanimously endorsed a number of resolutions that will allow the organisation to transition from an incorporated association to a company limited by guarantee.
Key changes of this restructure include:
• a broader membership framework to allow memberships from individual growers, state associations, industry suppliers and stakeholders,
• a more skills focused board with directors elected by members,
• a fully resourced and fulltime chief executive officer,
• improved operational compliance, flexibility and transparency along with
• increased connection, consultation and engagement with industry.
These improvements will allow CGA to strategically plan for and effectively oversee the industry’s growth, whilst CGA’s core values and commitment to serving the Australian cherry industry remain steadfast.
There are still a number of legal steps to occur to enable this transition and I look forward to regularly letting you know about the progress being made.
For those people and organisations that have already provided membership pledges, CGA will be in contact shortly with instructions on how to activate your memberships. For others yet to pledge, please keep an eye out for instructions on how to join the new Cherry Growers Australia Limited.
This momentous restructure decision marks an important step in CGA’s evolution and is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen CGA’s capacity to proactively and strategically contribute to, and drive the success and sustainability of the Australian cherry industry.
Yours sincerely,
Alison Jones
CGA President
From 26 February 2025, eligible casuals can provide written notice to their employer to change to full-time or part-time employment under the employee choice pathway. An employer can only refuse the notice for certain reasons.
We have new templates available to help you meet the new rules.
Employees and employers can use our new templates to make or respond to a notice under the employee choice pathway.
Access our new resources and learn more at Casual employees.
+
Some awards will have new definitions and minimum pay rates for entry-level classifications from 2025.
What’s changing
There are upcoming changes for the Horticulture Award, including:
The Review of C14 and C13 rates in modern awards arose from the Annual Wage Review 2018-19 Decision and follows from the decision of 16 April 2024 in which it was determined that:
Therefore, following changes to the Horticulture Award 2020, Level 1 will progress to Level 2 after no more than 3 months’ industry experience.
The changes apply from 1 April 2025. More information will be provided closer to this date.
Horticulture Award Determination available HERE
WORKSHOP REGISTRATION OPEN
The extension and communication project team are excited to announce our National Vigour Management in person workshops, in February and March 2025 across the major growing regions.
We are welcoming Ronald Vermeulen, a Senior Fruit Consultant from the Netherlands and other guests to focus on practical strategies including nutrition, pruning and irrigation to effectively manage vigour and crop load in cherries.
The Victorian Workshop will be held on Monday 03 March at Agriculture Victoria, 255 Ferguson Rd, Tatura.
REGISTER HERE for Victoria.
More details on the agenda for each workshop and venues coming soon. We welcome all growers, industry supporters and researchers to attend our events.
If you have any questions, or wish to get involved, please contact Jess Fearnley
The Cherry Fund Investment Plan for 2024/25 is available for download.
and return it to: VCA Secretary, PO Box 612, Mooroopna, 3629
Web design by Fruit Tree Media
