Cross-border cane connection as Clarence turns 100

The Board has spent three days in the Clarence Valley, taking in farm tours, catching up with growers, and today holding their final board meeting – just ahead of the Clarence Canegrowers Annual General Meeting and centenary gala dinner.

CANEGROWERS Queensland Chairman Owen Menkens said it was an honour to be part of the celebrations.

“A century of grower representation is a massive achievement, and we’re proud to be here marking the milestone with our friends in New South Wales,” Mr Menkens said.

“It’s been a great opportunity to see how things are done here. There are some real differences – like two-year-old cane crops, which we don’t see much of in Queensland, and the co-op milling partnership with Sunshine Sugar.

“Big thanks to Ross and the Clarence team for the warm welcome, generosity and hospitality, as they mark this event and prepare for their Cane Harvest Festival this weekend.”

Clarence Canegrowers Chairman Ross Farlow said the visit was a great chance to share knowledge and celebrate a shared passion for the industry.

“We’ve got a strong relationship with the CANEGROWERS Queensland team, so it’s been fantastic to have them here for this big occasion,” Mr Farlow said.

“We’ve really enjoyed showing them how we do things – and showing off our beautiful valley while we’re at it.”

The centenary marks not just a proud history but the ongoing connection and shared purpose that keeps Australia’s sugarcane industry thriving across state lines.