1992 Bachelor of Horticultural Science
University of Western Sydney.
The
course undertaken included subjects, which comprise a double major in
Production and Post-harvest horticulture. The course was designed to be
multi disciplinary with a strong market driven approach. Subjects
included management and marketing while maintaining the traditional
base of horticultural subjects including plant production, protection
and physiology.
Employment Experience
March 95 to Present:
Horticulturist - Silviculturist, Nursery Operator / Farmer
For
the last eight years I have operated a horticultural / silvicultural
consultancy and management service as a sole proprietor. Experience in
horticultural production systems over this time has included the
establishment and operation of macadamia, coffee and papaya production
systems. Recent silvicultural experience has included the ongoing
management of paulownia and re-growth forestry plantations.
This
has included the successful preparation and implementation of farm
programs and budgets, employee recruitment / supervision, and program
and budgeting reviews with progress report development.
During
this time I have also operated a successful nursery, producing coffee,
grafted and cutting grown macadamias, landscape species and natives for
re-vegetation. Farming operations have included the share farming
of papaya and the establishment of a cabinet timber plantation.
More
recent experience includes involvement in native vegetation management.
This has included the provision of expertise to local and state
government authorities in the assessment of riparian vegetation and the
supervision of work teams.
March 01 to October 02:
Extension Officer - Subtropical Farm Forestry Association Incorporated.
For
the last year I have work on a casual basis for the Subtropical Farm
Forestry Association Incorporated, a non profit community organisation
promoting small scale mixed species cabinet timber planting’s. Duties
have included site assessment and management suggestions for membership
interested in undertaking planting’s,
March 92 to February 95:
Quality Manager - Macadamia Plantations of Australia Pty. Ltd. Dunoon, NSW
The
development and implementation of a Quality assurance System (ISO 9002)
was the primary role of this position. Other responsibilities included
the liaison with growers and customers in determining quality
requirements, dealing with consumer, customer and grower complaints,
supervising quality control staff, training personnel in quality
control methods and promoting a quality assurance culture.
Day
to day duties included; the responsibility for receiving, sampling and
drying of NIS, subsequent quality assessments, reports and payments to
growers; stock control and reconciliation; and undertaking quality
assessments throughout the harvesting, post harvest, production and
distribution sectors of the company.
As
part of an executive management team, I contributed to the overall
decision making process through my direct responsibility for all
aspects of quality within the organisation. Through my time with MPA I
gained an understanding of how a larger organisation operates within an
intensive horticultural industry. I resigned from the position in
February 95 to pursue self employment.
November 91 to April 93:
Horticultural Management - Australian Horticultural Consultants. Lismore, NSW
As
a casual employee of my fathers horticultural consultancy business, I
was involved in the management of lychee, mandarin and macadamia
production systems. Responsibilities included overseeing farm
operations, development of fertiliser and pest control programs,
nursery management, preparation of farm plans and budgets, development
of progress reports and liaison with owners, government agencies and
market agents.
March 89 to November 91:
Nursery Propagator - Hawkaid, University of Western Sydney, Richmond. NSW
This
was a casual position whilst attending university and involved the
propagation of plant stock suitable for the rearing of mites used in a
predatory mite breeding enterprise. Duties include nursery design and
maintenance, nursery hygiene and disenfestation procedures.
Skills and Knowledge Base
Having
grown up on a subtropical fruit orchard just outside of Lismore, I have
been involved in horticulture since a very young age. This period has
provided for a deal of practical experience, which when combined with
my academic and employment experience, realises a sound basis from
which to understand the intensive nature of horticulture. My skills and
knowledge base include:
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•Experience in the successful cultivation of subtropical fruit, nut and vegetable crops. Including planting, nutrition, pest and weed control, pruning and harvesting.
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•Experience in irrigation design, installation, operation, scheduling and maintenance.
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•Experience in nursery design, installation, hygiene, irrigation, and maintenance.
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•Experience with farm machinery operation safety and maintenance.
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•Involvement with various grower organisations, both general and committee membership.
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•Involvement with grower based marketing efforts of horticultural produce.
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•Involvement with both government and non-government authorities assisting in various horticultural research projects.
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•Familiarity with research techniques and methodologies including experimental design and analysis.
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•Experience in the organisation of workshops, training sessions and seminars.
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•An effective communicator competent with both oral and visual presentations.
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•The ability to work effectively as a team member with a range of individuals and organisations.
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•Effective management of teams involved in planting, pruning, harvesting etc.
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•Experience in the development of a Quality Assurance System.
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•Successful training of personnel in quality control techniques.
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•Skills in the use of personal computers and a range of software including Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint
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Rob English
