Apple and Pear Australia Ltd has awarded the successful recipients of the 2025 APAL Awards for Excellence in Shepparton, including one local winner.

This year, eight individuals have been recognised across six award categories for their exceptional contributions to the growth and success of the sector.

The award categories include the Lifetime Achievement Awards, Grower of the Year, Industry Rising Star, Women in Horticulture Award, Marketer of the Year, Research and Extension Provider of the Year and the Agritourism Award.

Travis Georgopoulos, from Shepparton, won the Industry Rising Star award for his work with GV Independent Packers Pty Ltd.

He started work on his family farm at the age of 18, developing a passion and commitment to working to improve fruit quality at a young age, and is today responsible for 560 hectares of mostly apples and pears.

His commitment to fruit quality drives him to continually improve in the orchards, working with industry agronomists and consultants to evolve his agronomic knowledge, which has become his greatest asset, especially in areas such as integrated pest and disease management and organic production.

2025 APAL Awards for Excellence recipients
Award	Recipient	Business/ organisation	State
Lifetime Achievement Award	Scott Price	Fruit Growers Tasmania; R&R Smith (retired)	Tasmania
Lifetime Achievement Award	Paul James	Lenswood Cooperative (retired)	South Australia
Grower of the Year	Brett Squibb	RW Squibb & Sons Pty Ltd	Tasmania
Industry Rising Star	Travis Georgopoulos	GV Independent Packers Pty Ltd	Victoria
Women in Horticulture Award	Nicole Giblett	Newton Orchards	Western Australia
Research & Extension Provider of the Year	Hannah James	AgroFresh	Victoria
Agritourism Award	Sam Licciardello	Orchard 1 Sixty	Western Australia
Marketer of the Year	Shane Priest	Priest Bros Orchards Pty Ltd	Victoria

“Each year, the APAL Awards for Excellence highlight the depth of talent, commitment and passion across our industry,” Apple & Pear Australia Ltd chief executive Phil Turnbull said.

“This year’s recipients are a great demonstration of what makes our industry so strong, from emerging leaders to lifelong contributors.

“To all of this year’s recipients, congratulations on your work, driving the future of the Australian apple and pear industry.”

The recipients were announced in early June 2025, however the presentation evening happened on Monday, August 4 at Belcibo & Co in Shepparton.

The APAL Awards for Excellence recognise the outstanding achievements of the industry's most successful growers, researchers, innovators and businesses working across the pome fruit industry.

Award recipients were presented with a trophy and could select either a $1000 travel voucher or a $1500 contribution towards professional learning and development.

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