Upper Namoi cotton growers recognised at 2026 awards dinner

Upper Namoi cotton growers were celebrated during the Cotton Growers Association’s annual awards dinner on Tuesday evening.

About 130 cotton growers and industry representatives gathered at Gunnedah Jockey Club for the sold-out event, which provides an opportunity to recognise the outstanding achievements of growers and industry supporters over the past year.

Dalara Pastoral Operations took home the major award for the evening, being named 2026 Grower of the Year, after also winning the 2026 Dryland Cotton Crop’.

The 2026 Irrigation Cotton Crop winner was Josh Carter, ‘Bengalala’ Boolah Farms.

Natalie Aquilina was named the 2026 Young Achiever and Mark Goddard was recognised with the 2026 Service to Industry award.

The 2024/2025 Ginned Yield Results Winners (last season) were:

Damien Haire Memorial Award Highest Farm Yield - Nat Groves, ‘Myalla’ NKG Pastoral Company

Highest Dryland Ginned Yield - Jock Brownhill, Merrilong Agricultural Company

Adam Kay presenting the grower of the year award to Dalara Pastoral Operations Manager Bruce Meanie
Adam Kay presenting the Grower of the Year award to Dalara Pastoral Operations Manager Bruce Mennie

 

2026 Young Achiever Natalie Aquilina, presented by Jacob Booby.
2026 Young Achiever Natalie Aquilina, presented by Jacob Booby.

 

2026 Irrigation Cotton Crop winner Josh Carter (centre) with Upper Namoi CGA President James Barlow and CottonInfo's Bob Ford.
2026 Irrigation Cotton Crop winner Josh Carter (centre) with Upper Namoi CGA President James Barlow and CottonInfo's Bob Ford.

 

2026 Service to Industry recipient Mark Goddard (centre) with Upper Namoi CGA President James Barlow and Nutrien Gunnedah's Charles Hill.
2026 Service to Industry recipient Mark Goddard (centre) with Upper Namoi CGA President James Barlow and Nutrien Gunnedah's Charles Hill.

 

Rob Eveleigh with the 2024/2025 Highest Dryland Ginned Yield Award Winner Merrilong Agricultural Company
Rob Eveleigh with the 2024/2025 Highest Dryland Ginned Yield Award Winner Merrilong Agricultural Company

 

2024/2025 Damien Haire Memorial Award Highest Farm Yield winner Nat Groves, presented by Isobel Haire.
2024/2025 Damien Haire Memorial Award Highest Farm Yield winner Nat Groves, presented by Isobel Haire

Latest news

Jun 24, 2026

Stop the Bleed® Webinar – Practical Emergency Response Skills

Severe bleeding emergencies can happen anywhere, and in rural and...

Jun 24, 2026

New safety cards support cotton growers to keep vital information close at hand

Cotton Australia has developed two new practical resources to help...

Jun 23, 2026

APVMA review of paraquat and diquat herbicides

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority’s (APVMA) has released...

Jun 23, 2026

Camp Cotton featured on ABC Landline

Cotton Australia’s Camp Cotton has been showcased to a national...

Jun 11, 2026

Busy few months of engagement with students and educators

Cotton Australia has wrapped up a busy period of education...

Jun 11, 2026

Updated load restraint reports

Cotton Australia has recently updated several of its Load Restraint...