The 2025 award recipients for the Tasmanian Fruit Industry were announced at June’s industry awards dinner, held as part of the Fruit Growers Tasmania 33rd industry conference in Hobart.

The dinner brought together 130 growers, their families and industry participants from around the state to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of growers.

Fruit Growers Tasmania president Nic Hansen says the Tasmanian fruit industry is full of people who are passionate, innovative, and committed to the pursuit of quality, and we believe it’s important to recognise their achievements.

“It was an emotional evening as we celebrated the contributions from one person at an early stage of their career through to an individual who has given a lifetime of service,” Nic says.

The Young Grower of the Year Award went to Uchitha Godahenges (Bhashi).

Bhashi manages Costa’s Tasmanian blackberry operations, where she is responsible for the growing, maintenance and harvest of 40 ha of blackberries – one of the largest blackberry farms in Australia.

Before working at Costa, Bhashi moved from Sri Lanka to complete her master’s at the University of Tasmania.

She is known as an excellent communicator and is leading a young and energetic team to efficiently produce quality blackberries.

The Award for Excellence was awarded to Andrew Smith of R&R Smith and Willie Smith Cider.

As a fourth-generation orchardist, Andrew Smith is a standout figure in the agricultural and organic farming industry.

Under Andrew’s direction, R&R Smith has become a leader in Tasmania’s certified organic apple industry, providing high-quality, sustainably grown produce while maintaining a deep respect for the environment and the community.

Andrew has a wealth of experience in the apple industry, including learning in orchards in Europe and the US.

In the past 28 years as managing director of R&R Smith Organic Apples, Andrew has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and a deep commitment to sustainable agriculture.

The pinnacle of the night was the Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to Carl Hansen of Hansen Orchards.
Born into an apple-growing family in 1939, Carl has been a figurehead in the Tasmanian fruit industry for decades.

Carl has been involved in apple growing for nearly 70 years.

He has done that by adapting, improvising, and overcoming, and is always looking for ways to improve, be more productive and more efficient.

Hansen Orchards has consistently led the way in producing exceptional fruit, adapting to new market demands and evolving technologies.

“This award is a richly deserved recognition of a lifetime of leadership, innovation and support of the Tasmanian fruit industry,” Fruit Growers Tasmania chief executive Peter Cornish explains.

“And I congratulate all our Tasmanian fruit industry award winners for 2025, whose hard work and dedication to the industry was roundly celebrated,” he says.

“Special thanks must also go to our generous sponsors. The industry conference and awards dinner would not be possible without the ongoing support of Nutrien Ag Solutions, Visy, Muirs, Hort Innovation, Hobart Airport and Steritech.”