Present Legends | Legends of Cane Country

14 recipients

Meet the present legends

Present Legends — Video Package

Drew Watson

Mossman

Drew Watson comes from one of Mossman’s pioneering cane-growing families and has dedicated decades to the industry. Elected to the local CANEGROWERS Board in 1990, he served for 28 years, including as Chairman, and represented the district on the QCGO Policy Council for five years. Drew also served two terms on the Sugar Terminals Limited Board. Respected for his credibility, conviction and ability to find solutions, he was highly regarded by industry peers. Drew has remained closely involved in local field days, trials and agricultural activities, while the family’s Brie Brie Estates was among the first farms to achieve Smartcane BMP accreditation.

George Adil

Tableland

George Adil was a pioneer of the Tablelands sugar industry, helping establish cane farming in the region after rice proved commercially unsuccessful. Before local milling was available, George transported harvested cane to Mossman for crushing, demonstrating his belief in the industry’s future. He contributed to the groundwork that ultimately led to the establishment of Tableland Mill and supported new growers by supplying plant cane and helping establish their first crops. George was also involved with CANEGROWERS and committed to supporting growers’ interests. Through his determination, practical assistance and willingness to help others, George played an important role in establishing and expanding the Tablelands cane industry.

John Ferrando

Cairns Region

John Ferrando is a respected industry leader known for his fairness, integrity and commitment to the interests of growers. Through leadership roles with CANEGROWERS and the Mulgrave Productivity Group, he has worked to strengthen the local industry while adapting to changing conditions. John was heavily involved in developing the Mulgrave Growers Collective, helping growers achieve better outcomes in sugar pricing. A strong supporter of research and innovation, he regularly makes land available for trials and leads by example on his own farm. John is also committed to supporting younger growers, encouraging their involvement in the industry and the local young growers’ forum.

Victor Guarrera

Innisfail

Victor Guarrera has dedicated his working life to the sugar industry, beginning in cane haulage before becoming a harvesting contractor in the Silkwood district during the 1980s. He later moved to South Johnstone, purchasing the family farm in 1991 and expanding the operation through leased properties. Victor has contributed extensively beyond his own farm, serving more than 21 years on the South Johnstone Mill Suppliers Committee, as a Director of CANEGROWERS Innisfail and on a range of harvesting, catchment and industry working groups. Even as he moves towards retirement, he continues to harvest and plant cane for local growers, reflecting a lifetime of service to the industry.

Santo Silvestro

Tully

Santo Silvestro has built a remarkable farming enterprise from humble beginnings, driven by a lifelong passion for the sugar industry. Raised in the Feluga cane fields, he began hauling cane and growing watermelons at 17 before purchasing his first cane farm at 26. Today, his farming operation supplies more than 65,000 tonnes of cane to Tully Sugar Mill, alongside a longstanding harvesting business. Santo has continually embraced innovation, developed new cane land and shared his knowledge with others. A strong advocate for smaller farmers and the next generation, he proudly supports young people entering the industry, including his own children.

Michael Pisano

Herbert River

Michael Pisano dedicated 33 years to representing cane growers across the Herbert River district, providing decades of leadership, knowledge and service to the local industry. During his long involvement with CANEGROWERS, he served as Chairman and represented the district at state level as a Director on the QCGO Board. His extensive industry experience, sound judgement and deep understanding of the challenges facing growers made him a respected and trusted representative. Through his commitment to advocacy and willingness to serve his fellow growers, Michael made an enduring contribution to the Herbert River sugar industry, leaving a legacy of knowledge and leadership that is difficult to replace.

Roger Piva

Burdekin

Roger Piva has dedicated decades to the sugar industry and Burdekin community as a respected grower advocate and industry leader. He served on the CANEGROWERS Burdekin and Inkerman Cane Growers boards, including as Chairman, and represented growers through Queensland Sugar Limited. Roger played an important role during the marketing choice debate, advocating for greater grower choice and transparency. A forward thinker, he also explored opportunities for renewable fuels and diversification within the sugar industry. Beyond farming, Roger has contributed to the wider Burdekin community, including through rugby union. His practical leadership and commitment have earned the respect of growers and industry colleagues.

Craig McDonald

Proserpine

Craig McDonald is a quiet achiever of the Proserpine sugar industry, respected for his humility, hard work and commitment as both a cane grower and harvesting contractor. He continually strives to improve his farming and harvesting operations while providing quality services to fellow growers. Looking to the future, Craig is exploring biological farming practices and cover crop trials to improve productivity and crop yields. He proudly continues a longstanding family connection to the Proserpine industry, following in the footsteps of his father Brian, a grower and CANEGROWERS Board member. Today, Craig is carrying that legacy forward and passing it to the next generation.

Malcolm Pratt

Mackay

Malcolm Pratt has made a longstanding contribution to the Mackay sugar industry as a cane grower, representative and industry leader. A Farleigh grower, Malcolm served on the CANEGROWERS Farleigh Area Committee from 1976 to 1991, including as Deputy Chairman, and represented growers on the Farleigh Local Board. He also served for 11 years on the Mackay Regional Water Resources Committee before becoming a Farleigh director of Mackay Sugar. Through decades of involvement, Malcolm earned a reputation as a respected and knowledgeable industry figure, contributing his experience and leadership to the interests of growers and the wider Mackay sugar industry.

Brian Stevens

Plane Creek

Brian Stevens made a significant contribution to the Plane Creek sugar industry through strong grower representation and practical leadership. As a former Chairman of the Plane Creek Mill Suppliers Committee, he played a key role in initiating and implementing the district’s southern cane rail line, improving cane transport for growers. Brian was also the principal negotiator of the mill performance clause in the Cane Supply Agreement, establishing important provisions around continuous crushing. The agreement set a precedent that influenced Cane Supply Agreement negotiations in other districts. Through his determination and advocacy, Brian helped deliver lasting improvements for Plane Creek growers and the wider sugar industry.

Dale Holliss

Bundaberg

Dale Holliss has served the Bundaberg sugar industry since 2002, following earlier experience in the Burdekin and as a cane farmer. His farming background has shaped his strong understanding of growers and the challenges they face. Dale has been a determined advocate for water security and affordable electricity, helping reduce the impact of rising energy costs on irrigated agriculture and supporting the introduction of new tariffs. He has represented growers through the Sunwater CAC and Paradise Dam Reference Group, while contributing to campaigns on rates, reef regulations and renewable energy. Dale is also a respected mentor and adviser to staff and directors.

Graham Webb

Isis

Graham ‘Fox’ Webb is a highly respected Isis cane grower, known for his humility, generosity and willingness to share his knowledge with others. Farming in the Farnsfield area, Graham has built a reputation as a productive and progressive grower, incorporating soybean rotations into his cane farming system. He has contributed to the wider industry through service on the IPL Board, while his farm also served for many years as a clean seed plot, providing an important source of planting material for local growers. A genuine and quietly respected member of the farming community, Graham embodies the spirit of a true Cane Country Legend.

Ashley Petersen

Maryborough

A progressive grower and industry leader, Ashley Petersen pioneered a two-metre controlled traffic and raised-bed farming system in the late 1990s, incorporating fallow crops and working with BSES and SRA to demonstrate its efficiency and profitability. He shared these learnings with cane-growing regions across Queensland and later helped introduce 24/7 harvesting, achieving around 130,000 tonnes per season with a single harvester. A grower representative for more than 20 years, including over a decade on his local CANEGROWERS Board, he has remained at the forefront of farming innovation while building a successful family farming and harvesting enterprise and mentoring younger growers.

Lindsay Mischke

Rocky Point

Lindsay Mischke has demonstrated a strong commitment to educating the wider community and inspiring younger generations about the sugarcane industry, continuing a tradition shared with his father. Over many years, Lindsay has generously opened his farm to school groups, visited local schools and participated in numerous educational events, sharing his practical knowledge and experience of cane farming. His enthusiasm for connecting young people with agriculture has helped build greater understanding of how sugarcane is grown and the importance of the industry to Queensland communities. Lindsay’s generosity, passion and commitment to telling the cane story have made him a valued ambassador for the sugar industry.