ABOUT THE COMMITTEE

This Order was titled  "The Victorian Strawberry Industry Development Order".

The Victorian Strawberry Industry Development Order was extended in 1996 for an additional four year period, again in July 2000 for a period of 2 years, 4 months, and again in 2002.   Another Poll of commercial strawberry growers was conducted during September 2002. The result of the Poll was an overwhelming endorsement of the Victorian Strawberry Industry Development Order and the Committee.

The Order was subsequently extended by the Minister for a further four year period, ending on the 30th of November 2006. A another Poll conducted in September 2006 saw the Order extended for another four year period, ending on the 30th November 2010.  The Victorian Strawberry Growers Association have organised a petition to go to the Victorian Minister for Agriculture in May 2010 seeking a further extension of the VSIDC for a further 4 year period ending 30 November 2014.

The VSIDC collects levies from all Victorian commercial strawberry growers when they purchase strawberry runners plants.

The Committee uses these funds to:

'carry out or fund research and development into the production, pest and disease control, post harvest handling, plant breeding and variety evaluation of strawberries and advise growers about research findings'

and

'carry out or fund domestic marketing and promotion of fresh strawberries grown in Victoria'.

The Responsible Minister is The Minister for Agriculture.

Mr John Hasan – Chairman and grower representative

Mr Sam Violi - Treasurer and grower representative

Mrs Anna Hasan - grower representative

Mr Jim Ripepi - industry non-grower representative

Mr John Frisina – industry non-grower representative

Mrs Clarrisa Cincotta - grower representative

Ms Leanne Browne – Department of Primary Industries representative

(all seven representatives act in an honorary capacity)

All correspondence should be addressed to:

Mr Len O'Connor – Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Officer

Victorian Strawberry Industry Development Committee

P.O. Box 178

Sanctuary Cove  QLD  4212

Mobile/Messagebank:  0418 516 086

Other Employee of the VSIDC:

Mr Jason Hingston

Victorian Strawberry Industry Development Officer

c/o The Victorian Strawberry Centre

6A Union Road,

WANDIN NORTH  VIC   3139

or    P.O. Box 145

WANDIN NORTH   VIC   3139

Mobile/Messagebank:  0408 416 538