Ex-chippie takes award
TOM VOLLING role model and an asset to the horticultural industry.
“His commitment to tree health using a range of innovative, eco-friendly fertilisers and water-efficient practices made him an ideal choice for this award,” he said.
The father-of-three gave up his job as a carpenter 13 years ago when he bought an old banana farm and planted 80 lime trees and 500 avocado trees.
The Cobra Hill Orchard has since grown to about 25,000 avocado trees and 2500 lime trees with another 1000 avocado trees planned for expansion.
Mr Perkes edged out Elio Quintieri, Sam Collins and Jose Caamano for the coveted prize, which celebrates the legacy of the late Mr Nastasi.
Mr Nastasi was a leader and innovator in the horticultural industry across the Atherton Tablelands and Lakeland area.
Mr Moro said all nominees in this year’s award were diffi- cult to separate given their innovative qualities.
“I think we are well positioned to be at the cutting edge of agricultural innovation for decades to come,” he said.
Mr Perkes uses liquid fertiliser to minimise wastage, run off and uses an environmentally-friendly pest management program.
A smartphone app called “TrainData Tierra” that provides live data gathered from moisture probes is also used. Sport, pages 56-57 THE Australian Chamber Orchestra ( ACO) will bring Mozart and Brahms to the Tanks Arts Centre on Sunday.
Directed by Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto, who is in his second year as the ACO Collective Artistic Director, the concert will include a collaboration with the Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir.
Tickets are $42 for adults and $21 for children for a 7.30pm start at Tank 3.
Tickets are available online from Ticketlink.