Awards
Awards
Researchers, advisers and industry leaders are critical to the Australian grains RD&E community, without them we could not deliver enduring profitability for Australian grain growers. We support our regional panels to recognise the important contribution of individuals to the Australian grains industry through the following awards.
Seed of Light
The prestigious Seed of Light awards were established to recognise a researchers’ outstanding communication of GRDC supported research outcomes at the regional Grains Research Updates.
Since 1999, an award has presented annually in the following regions:
- north
- south
- west.
We encourage effective and ‘to-the-point’ research communication, because research is of little value unless adopted by growers.
Recently, the award criteria were expanded to allow our regional panels to recognise the outstanding efforts of a GRDC contracted consultant or grower. The recipient must have exhibited dedication and commitment in communicating grains industry research at a regional level.
Recipients
2024
The 2024 award recipients include:
- Belinda Cay, southern region
- Prof Ross Kingwell, western region
2023
The 2023 award recipients include:
- Michael Moodie, southern region
- Dr Greg Rebetzke, western region
- Dr Kristy Hobson, northern region
2022
The 2022 award recipients include:
- Dale Grey, southern region
- Steve Henry, northern region
- Julianne Hill, western region.
2021
The 2021 award recipients include:
- Lindsay Bell, northern region
- Kate Burke, southern region
- Ben White, western region.
2020
The 2020 award recipients include:
- Paul McIntosh, northern region
- Bill Long, southern region
- Wayne Pluske, western region.
View all our Seed of Light award recipients.
Seed of Gold
The Seed of Gold is one of the grains industry’s most prestigious awards.
The award is given in recognition of an individual’s outstanding contribution, dedication and commitment to communicating research outcomes to the Australian grains industry.
First presented in 2007 only four people have received this honour.
Recipients
2023 - Dr Kevin Moore
2023 - Andrew Barr
2023 - Terry Enright
2021 - Stephen Powles
2015 - Bill Murray
2013 - Geoff Thomas
2007 - Trish Griffiths.
Learn more about our Seed of Gold award recipients.
Emerging Leader and Recognising and Rewarding Excellence awards
These awards recognise excellence, commitment and passion for the Australian grains industry and recognise the important contributions of the recipients and supports their ongoing endeavours for the industry.
They can be awarded to:
- career researchers
- advisers
- growers
- other industry participants.
2024
The 2024 award recipients include:
- Jana Dixon, southern region Emerging Leader
- Robert Harrison, western region Emerging Leader
2023
The 2023 award recipients include:
- Jeanette Long, southern region Recognising and Rewarding Excellence
- Mathew Dunn, northern region Emerging Leader
- Dr Joshua Fanning, southern region Emerging Leader
- Dr Gaus Azam, western region Recognising and Rewarding Excellence
- Jeremy Curry, wester region Emerging Leader.
2022
The 2022 award recipients include:
- Dr Grant Hollaway, southern region Recognising and Rewarding Excellence
- Toni Petronaitis, northern region Emerging Leader
- Dr Jeremy Whish, northern region Recognising and Rewarding Excellence.
2021
The 2021 award recipients include:
- Dr Greg Rebetzke, northern region Recognising and Rewarding Excellence
- Allan Mayfield, southern region Recognising and Rewarding Excellence.
2020
The 2020 award recipients include:
- Rohan Brill, northern region Emerging Leader
- Tony Swan, northern region Recognising and Rewarding Excellence
- Dr Sarah Noack, southern region Emerging Leader
- Dr Harm van Rees, southern region Recognising and Rewarding Excellence.
View the full list of recipients.