Over 180 cotton growers, their families, and industry supporters gathered under the stars at the St George Golf Club to celebrate the 2024–25 cotton season, just prior to the cotton pickers starting to roll into this year’s pick.

The night was the perfect opportunity to recognise grower excellence, as well as to shine the spotlight on and thank exceptional supporters of the industry who have provided many decades of service to the St George cotton industry.

St George Cotton Grower Association Chair Lucas Wuersching provided a brief overview of the 2024–25 season, prior to joining Major Awards Sponsor Ecom Trading’s Shay Dhareula in presenting the awards.

Award winners were:

• 2024–25 Grower of the Year under 400HA: Kanandah (Ross and Cheryl Brimblecombe and Hayden and Bridget Brimblecombe)
• 2024–25 Agronomist of the Year under 400HA: Dallas King
• 2024–25 Grower of the Year over 400HA: Wuersching Acres
• 2024–25 Agronomist of the Year over 400HA: John Mulholland

Of special recognition was the 2024–25 Service to the Industry award, which went to Jason Speedy from Precision Aerial. Since 1999, Jason has provided aerial services to cotton growers and beyond. Jason, his wife Bettina, and his family are an integral part of the St George community. Over and above his professional aerial work, Jason has quietly assisted many in the community, getting them quickly and safely to wherever they need to be in their time of need, no thanks or payment required. Speedy has also mentored many emerging ag pilots, directly training some and building on the skills of many others.

The 2024–25 Young Achievers Award went to Dan Neale. Dan’s grandparents were early irrigators in St George, and when he was 10, Dan moved to St George as a family succession plan saw his parents, Allan and Kerrie, relocate and build their family business. Dan went to school, graduated, and became a highly talented carpenter before returning to the family farm in 2023.

Tragically, in April 2024, Dan’s father Allan was killed in a farming accident. Dan had to navigate his own grief, the stress, and the responsibility of continuing to run and manage the farming operations with his mother, Kerrie. Dan has become actively involved in the St George CGA, and he openly—but quietly—encourages people to share their mental health needs, promoting open conversation by wearing his very colourful Trade Mutt shirts with YNWA printed on the pocket: You’ll Never Walk Alone.

The final award for the night was the inaugural Outstanding Contribution to the Cotton Industry, which went to Peter Francisco. Peter started working on Nick Bligh’s farm in 1996, and in June this year, 30 years later, he will retire from the same farm, even though ownership passed to Walter Bronsan in 2010. Peter is known as one of those men who can be relied on when things get tough—on-farm, on a neighbour’s property, or within the community.

CGA Chair Lucas credited the success of the evening to the committee, made up of Elindre Lamprecheht, Gretel Armstrong, Bethanie Stuhmucke, Dan Neale, Brooke Wuersching, Leonie Brassey, Zahra Knight, Sam Speedy, and Brendan Murray.