Text Box: Summerfruit Growers The Swan Hill Summerfruit Development Association (SHSDA) continues to be a strong voice representing Summerfruit growers in this region. As we are all experiencing difficult times with the current drought it is even more important that we work together as a region to survive and prosper in the future. The Summerfruit Industry has experienced oversupply in our domestic markets for the past three years since the Taiwan export market became prohibited due to fruit fly protocols in 2005. Since this time all growers have found it difficult to maintain financial stability and many have been forced to sell their farms and leave the industry. Also in 2005 the SHSDA decided to be pro active in solving this problem by committing to become a Pest Free Area (Greater Sunraysia PFA) and we invested in this in order to regain market access into Taiwan and other markets. Our goal was finally reached in May this year by meeting all international requirements to become a PFA. SHSDA has funded this project along with the Citrus, Tablegrape industries and Victorian and NSW government. This has been an enormous achievement and will soon be accepted into the Taiwan and other markets. The SHSDA has funded this project over the past three years from revenue raised from some growers but in order to continue we need financial support in the form of Sponsorship so we can continue to fund this PFA into the future. In the past the SHSDA has had fantastic financial support from a range of companies to achieve many things like the Great Plate Awards and The World Record Fruit Salad. The Greater Sunraysia PFA is our next project which needs financial support and membership numbers will be important in achieving this. Yearly membership will be $100 per grower which along with Sponsorship will help to fund the PFA project. I hope that all Summerfruit growers in this region can become members so that we have a strong voice to local, state and federal governments and continue to help with projects such as the PFA. I look forward to seeing you soon and hopefully our membership numbers can increase for this year and we all have a profitable season. Click on the membership link provided for a copy of the membership form. Kind Regards Richard Dow (SHSDA President) Mobile: 0427332519