APAL 2007 Young Grower of the Year  -  Matthew Lenne

The APAL Young Grower of the Year Award has been established to acknowledge the contribution of young growers and to encourage younger growers to become involved serving the industry.
 
Matthew had a very early introduction to orchard work as he was growing up on his family’s orchard in Ardmona.
 
Matthew’s grandfather purchased the original property block in 1927. Roger, Matthew’s father continued to expand the business and now Matthew and Roger run the orchard together, growing William and Packham pears, Pink Lady and Granny Smith apples; and processing peaches.
 
Matthew studied Agricultural Science at LaTrobe University in Melbourne..He has worked full time on the orchard since graduating in 1996.
 
His industry involvement is quite diverse and includes being an executive member of Fruit Growers Victoria, and on the Future Orchards 2012 steering committee, the Pear Consultative Committee for SPC Ardmona Cannery, the Steering Committee for Pear Orchard Intensification project, as well as the Pear Breeding Project Steering Committee and the Goulburn Valley Young Growers group.