Mark Doecke, Chair

Mark and his wife Louise started with five acres of citrus at Sunlands on the western end of the Riverland in 1992 and currently operate 90 acres. Originally they grew a mix of navels and Valencia’s but in the last 10 years have branched out into Kirkwood/tango /Atwood and Dekapon varieties as well as a few others.

Mark says he has always been interested in industry drivers including politics, consumer demands and potential problems and solutions.

“I joined the committee after the industry review around 2010 and as a founding member will always put SA industry issues first,” he said.

“The industry has a bright future as consumers demand quality food and SA citrus fits this.

Our location as counter seasonal to the Northern Hemisphere gives us an advantage we can use to generate export income.

The committee representing growers in SA are a dedicated bunch with lots of experience from different fields which work well together.”

Anthony Fulwood, Deputy chair

Anthony Fulwood grows citrus, winegrapes and avocados at Waikerie and is deputy chair of Citrus SA.

He was a founding member of the group representing SA citrus growers when the committee was formed after the industry restructure in 2010.

Matt Ward

Matt brings a wealth of knowledge to the Citrus SA committee, particularly in entomology and chemical applications. He works at Elders Barmera as a Senior Horticultural Agronomist and has had many decades of experience in the citrus industry.

Stuart Andrew

Stuart and Sue Andrew both from Waikerie horticultural families, have grown citrus at Winkie for 40 years. During that time, Stuart has practised as a Barrister and Solicitor and Sue as a school principal.

They both now own their 110 acre orchard and have built a citrus nursery with intention of growing their own trees on redeveloped land.

Stuart has served on a number of boards which include Riverland Regional Health Authority, the Renmark flying group and the Riverland Wine Inc board.

After retiring from Law, Stuart believes that the Citrus SA’s research into Gall wasp and especially its emphasis on fruit fly is invaluable to SA growers and he hopes to contribute to its work in keeping growers informed and pursuing causes on their on their behalf.

Fabio Spiniellio

Fabio is the grower liaison officer with Venus Fruits at Loxton where he manages and co-ordinates the needs of both the growers and the packing shed. Previously he oversaw the everyday running of the shed for about 13 years. He has also worked at the Renmark Irrigation Trust and the Central Irrigation Trust and spent several years involved in the wine industry.

Kerrie Robertson, Communications Officer

Initially contracted to write the newsletter in late 2015, Kerrie Robertson role has developed and expanded over time.

While still responsible for the monthly newsletter which appears in the local paper and electronically in grower’s inboxes, she also assists in the planning and organising of grower workshops, study tours and meetings. Her part-time contractor role also includes writing and distributing media releases and letters, assisting in finance and occasionally representing Citrus SA at industry meetings and events.

Frances Asher, Executive Officer

Francy Asher is the executive officer for Citrus SA on a part-time contractual basis, focussing in the areas of fruit fly and the Horticultural Coalition of SA - she also oversees Citrus SA’s operational plan. While new to the citrus industry, she has a diverse background which she wants to bring to bear to support Citrus SA. She has worked in logistics and information technology as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, then had more than 20 year’s success as a program director delivering transformational change across complex government and commercial organisations in multiple jurisdictions. She is on the Board of Destination Riverland, has a master’s degree in project management and a graduate diploma in information systems. She is also a member of the Loxton Waikerie District Council section 41 committee - Waikerie Delivers, a member of the Riverland West Chamber of Commerce Executive, and a previous member of NSW State Contracts Control Board.