The 2024 Australian Cotton Conference’s Awards Dinner on the Gold Coast recognised outstanding individuals for their contributions to the cotton industry, with Sharna Holman receiving the CRDC Chris Lehmann Young Cotton Achiever of the Year Award, Dr Lisa Bird honoured with the Cotton Seed Distributors Researcher of the Year Award, and Ross Munro recognised with the Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Service to the Cotton Industry Award. The event also featured other notable awards, including the Bayer Cotton Australia Grower of the Year Award and AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year Award.

Sharna Holman was celebrated for her impactful work as a CRDC-supported PhD researcher. Her journey into the cotton industry began as a student scholar at the Australian Cotton Conference in 2014. Since then, Sharna has focused on researching the pest status of cluster caterpillar in northern Australia, addressing significant challenges in sustainable cotton production.

Dr Lisa Bird earned the Cotton Seed Distributors Researcher of the Year Award for her crucial role in managing the industry’s insecticide resistance program. Her work at the NSW DPI’s Australian Cotton Research Institute involves extensive research and monitoring of insecticide resistance across five major cotton pests, including Helicoverpa, mirids, thrips, mites, and aphids.

Ross Munro, honoured with the Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Service to the Cotton Industry Award, has been a pivotal figure in the cotton industry since the 1970s. Initially working alongside his father on a cotton-growing business, Ross has made significant contributions to machinery efficiency and cotton transportation. His expertise has notably influenced the industry through his role in establishing BMC Partnership.

Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay congratulated all award recipients and nominees, highlighting the focus on innovation, technology, and sustainability that characterised this year’s awards. "This year’s awards reflect a strong emphasis on advancing the industry through new ideas and technologies," said Mr. Kay. "The achievements of Sharna, Dr Lisa Bird, and Ross Munro underscore the significant progress being made in cotton research, service, and production."