Community & Business
31 July, 2021
Emerging industry leaders recognised
LOCAL pineapple farmer siblings Ben Scurr and Courtney Thies have been jointly awarded the Australian Pineapple Industry’s Rudy Wassman Award, recognising them as pro-active future leaders in the industry.
LOCAL pineapple farmer siblings Ben Scurr and Courtney Thies have been jointly awarded the Australian Pineapple Industry’s Rudy Wassman Award, recognising them as pro-active future leaders in the industry.
Ben and Courtney work for Pinata Farms on their Mareeba farm, and have been growing pineapples since their childhood in Paddys Green.
They were recognised with the Rudy Wassman Award in recent weeks in Bundaburg at the Industry’s Golden Circle 2021 Pineapple Field Days.
Following in the footsteps of their father, Stephen Scurr, Ben and Courtney have continued the families pineapple growing legacy.
Ben and Courtney said they were honoured to be recognised by the industry and encouraged more young people to consider a career in farming.
“It's a great feeling to be recognised, especially as a female in a male-dominated field,” Courtney said.
“It's very encouraging to receive support and acknowledgment from other growers and this gives me the drive to continue working hard and achieve more in the future.
“Young people are the next generation in the horticultural industry and the country is going to rely on us continuing to do what our predecessors have done.”
Ben said it was a privilege to have his eff orts recognised by other growers and farms.
“We (young farmers) are next in line to keep farming going,” he said.
“More young people in farming means every industry can move forward and keep going in this ever-changing world.”
The siblings both have future aspirations in the pineapple farming industry with Ben hoping to one day manage the Mareeba farm and becoming more involved in Piñata’s pineapple production.
Courtney hopes to become more involved with the industry as a whole and continue to grow pineapples alongside her brother and father to see the family business grow into the future.
