Section 2 - Sugar Research and Development Corporation

Events
New Chairman
Fourth generation Clarence Valley sugarcane
farmer and long-serving state and federal
politician, Mr Ian Causley was appointed
Chairman of the SRDC Board on 1 October 2010.
Mr Causley replaced Mr Ian Knop AOM, who
served as Chairman for three years.
New Board appointments
On 30 April 2010, eight non-executive directors
of the Corporation completed their term as
members of the SRDC Board. On 27 May 2011,
six new non-executive directors were appointed
to the SRDC Board for a three year term.
Board selection committee report
Six new members were appointed to the SRDC
Board in May 2011 after a joint industry and
government panel completed a comprehensive
selection process. The appointments are for a
three year term ending on 30 April 2014. New
members appointed include: Dr Paul Donnelly,
Ms Lindy Hyam, Mr Julian (Jay) Venning,
Dr Kleanthes (Anthos) Yannakou, Dr Tracy
Henderson, and Mr Stephen (Steve) Guazzo
who was successful in being reappointed as
Deputy Chairman.
SRDC regional expos
Seven regional expos were held throughout key
sugarcane growing areas in March and April
2011. Themed ‘Your Investment at Work’ industry
stakeholders were shown how and where their
levy and matching Australian Government
funds are invested and the importance of
SRDC’s contribution to the longevity and
competitiveness of the Australian sugar industry.
The expos included a range of research
presenters chosen to ensure relevancy to
particular regions. A total of 345 people attended
from a variety of fi elds including growing,
milling, research and government. General
feedback was very positive with attendees
indicating they are satisfi ed that their R&D levy
is being appropriately invested.
SRDC seminars
Five seminars hosted by the SRDC and held
in Brisbane were designed by researchers
for researchers and attracted industry
representatives, scientists, technologists,
and potential funding providers.
��Dr Robert Magarey presented his valuable
research fi ndings on smut epidemiology;
��Dr Fouad Haghseresht and Lars Neilson spoke
about industrial biotechnology opportunities
for the Australia Sugar Industry;
��Dr Stevens Brumley explained how organic
material derived from renewable sugarcane
provides an effective base for bio-plastic
production;
��Amanda Vickers shared her experience and
knowledge gained from attending the 2010
Training Rural Australians in Leadership course;
and
��Sue Middleton presented her views on the
imperative role women play in maintaining
the high calibre of the Australian agricultural
industry and discussed how the sugarcane
industry can support women in agriculture
long-term.
Productivity Commission review
The Productivity Commission released its
fi ndings from an inquiry into rural research
and development (R&D) in June 2011. The
Commission recognised the uniqueness of
the RDC model worldwide and its important
strengths including delivering substantial
benefi ts to rural industries and the community.
However, Minister Joe Ludwig in his statement
to Parliament rejected the Commission’s
recommendation to halve the cap on matching
contributions from government to the RDCs
and reaffi rmed how research and development
is vital to the productivity and competitiveness
of Australia’s rural industries and the health and
resilience of its rural and regional communities.
SRDC Annual Report 2010–2011 11