Celebrating The Legends Who Have Shaped Cane Country

Queensland’s sugarcane industry has always been built on people - growers who have dedicated their lives to the land, supported their neighbours and helped shape the communities that make cane country what it is today.

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As CANEGROWERS celebrates 100 years of representing and supporting sugarcane growers, the Legends of Cane Country initiative recognises the people whose contribution, commitment and passion have helped build the industry over generations.

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The initiative provides an opportunity for communities to recognise individuals whose leadership, generosity, dedication and quiet determination have made a lasting impact within their district.

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These are the people who have shared their knowledge, supported their neighbours, represented growers, embraced change and played a role in strengthening the future of the sugarcane industry.

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The Herbert River district has a proud history built on generations of growers, families and community members who have contributed to the success of our industry. The Legends of Cane Country nominations reflect the diversity of that contribution; from long-standing growers and industry leaders to emerging voices who represent the future of cane country.

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The nominees recognised through this initiative, across the categories of Past, Present and Emerging Legends, include:

• Alf Cristaudo – recognised for decades of leadership and advocacy across the industry for the Herbert, Australia and Internationally.

• Don Murray – recognised for his contribution to cane farming and preserving important local community traditions.

• Gino Scovazzi – recognised for a lifetime dedicated to farming and his continued passion for working on the farm alongside his family.

• Giuseppe Cantamessa – recognised for his contribution to grower representation and his role as a foundation member of CANEGROWERS.

• Jackson Scott – recognised as an emerging grower balancing industry employment, his own farming operation and family commitments.

• John Mahony – recognised for his dedication, resilience and longstanding contribution to the Abergowrie cane farming community.

• Lex Exelby – recognised for his long standing contributions and support to the industry, community and CANEGROWERS Herbert River.

• Michael Pisano – recognised for 33 years of service representing Herbert River growers, including as Chair and QCGO director.

• Nelson Luigi Reinaudo – recognised for a lifetime of cane farming, industry service and commitment to innovation and future generations.

• Rebekah Pace – recognised as an emerging leader through her involvement in her family farm and the CANEGROWERS Herbert River Young Growers Development Group.

• Rex Carr – recognised for decades of contribution to cane farming, innovation and his family’s long-standing connection to the sugar industry.

• Roy Pace – recognised for his contribution to farming, industry representation and supporting future generations.

• Stephen Guazzo – recognised for his lifelong commitment to the industry and grower representation in various Director and Chair roles with Canegrowers Herbert River and QCGO.  

• Steven Marbelli – recognised for his contribution and service to the Herbert River sugarcane community, into the new era of the industry.

• William (Bill) Adams – recognised for his service to growers, the Macknade Mill Suppliers Committee and his family farming legacy.

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For the Herbert River district, these stories provide an opportunity to honour the people who have contributed to our region’s rich sugarcane history and helped pave the way for future generations.

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While farming practices, technology and industry landscapes have changed over the past century, the values that underpin cane country remain the same. Resilience, community, hard work and a commitment to leaving the industry stronger for those who follow.

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CANEGROWERS Herbert River is proud to celebrate all Legends of Cane Country nominees and acknowledge the contribution they have made to our industry and our community.

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Behind every cane crop is a story, and behind every story are the people who make cane country strong.

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