Award for excellence

Agriculture Victoria senior technical officer Kristina Ellis has won recognition for her contribution to grains research.

Ms Ellis was awarded a 2018 Victorian Wheat Research Foundation Grains Innovation Park Excellence Award.

The annual award, presented by Victorian Wheat Research Foundation trustee Rob Mcrae, recognises and celebrates staff at Grains Innovation Park in Horsham.

The award reflects a demonstrated level of excellence above and beyond the winners’ expected roles.

This award is open to all staff working at the park, including staff at the departments of Jobs, Precincts and Regions; Environment, Land, Water and Planning; and Victorian Fisheries Authority.

Ms Ellis, who is part of Agriculture Victoria’s molecular plant-breeding team, received the award for her effort during the past 18 months, which involved her stepping up into a field operations manager role.

Molecular Plant Breeding senior research scientist Dr Garry Rosewarne praised Ms Ellis on her organisational and communication skills.

“Kristina was responsible for overseeing the most efficient harvest in several years,” he said.

“This was followed up with a new approach to trial establishment where, through detailed liaising with private agronomists, she established and documented new spray regimes ensuring the latest and most effective treatments were being used.”

Dr Rosewarne said Ms Ellis also managed the daily activities of 10 casual staff.

“She has established new approaches and role clarity,” he said.

“Her commendable work ethic and commitment to leading the technical team has delivered significant benefits in morale and teamwork.”

Research director and Grains Innovation Park site leader Traci Griffin congratulated Ms Ellis and six other award nominees.

“The impressive nominations show how highly valued each nominee is within their teams,” she said.

“All staff members at Grains Innovation Park are very appreciative of the ongoing support the Victorian Wheat Research Foundation provides.”