Cotton Australia marks 50th anniversary with a celebration of past and future

Cotton

3 Jul

Queensland Agriculture Minister Mark Furner hosted an evening at Queensland’s Parliament House for ministers, politicians and a great cross-section of industry personnel. It was a delight to attend the evening that celebrated our local fibre with a specific focus on the history of Queensland cotton, and the people involved across the supply chain.

Michael Murray, General Manager of Cotton Australia, spoke of our adaptive industry and how our people are our biggest assets. He recognised individuals from cotton growers Frank & Megan Deshon for their support of their local community, through to agronomists & DAF research officer Cassie Turner, Alex Galea & Gail Spargo, gin manager Cody Ellis, scientist Paul Grundy, Sam Coulton - I loved that he was described as ‘ a passionate supporter and soul of the earth!” He spoke of those that engage with governance , the merchants that find a home for our cotton, the technicians that literally drive our industry. The Saunders family sharing the cotton story, Australian kids engaging with our cotton industry via the VR goggles - which I also had a look through. Michael recognised farmers that had become MyBMP certified, Jamie & Caroline’s cotton stems & the local fashion designers choosing Australian Cotton (including us)! Michael spoke of how our industry is full of typical people having a go. What also struck us was just how many women are involved in our local cotton industry. About 23% of our growers are female, but there is a high number of Women in Cotton (Wincott) across research, agronomy and marketing. Across the industry bodies of Cotton Australia, CRDC and CottonInfo 60% of employees are women.

Australian cotton history

In 1930 cotton was hand picked in Australia. It was the limitations of the workforce that limited the growth of the industry. In the 1940’s the first cotton pickers were used - one picker replaced the labour of about 60 people! Comparatively, today a picker replaces the work of 3,300!

This evening I reflected just how many people in the industry (that were mentioned) that I have had the opportunity to meet. It also was a welcome change to be at an event in Brisbane, and for people to know where Nevertire is! (I was raised on a farm in regional NSW, the nearest “town” is Nevertire - with a population of 103!) Dad has always spoken about how open and welcoming our cotton industry is - and I can’t agree more. It is an absolute pleasure to be designing with our local cotton, supporting Australian family businesses.