The Australian Olive Association (AOA) Innovation Award has been established in honour of industry colleague Richard Whiting, who passed away in January 2015. Richard was actively involved in the industry from 1999 at regional, state and national levels: always thinking outside the box, he was interested in new ways to do things more effectively and cheaply to improve returns to growers. The objective of this award is to recognise and celebrate the ingenuity that exists in the Australian olive industry – innovations which better meet new or existing market needs.
The winning idea needs to be original, new, fresh and innovative, and meet some or all of these areas:
• improves efficiency
• increases marketability
• generates cost savings
• achieves environmental goals
• improve market position
More information and nominations here. Closing date for entries is August 21, with the winner announced at the AOA National Conference dinner on September 14.