Top reward for doing a job well

HE'S helped fruit and veg growers problem solve their way through hail and drought, but winning a Rotary award for Excellence was 'quite a surprise'.

SEEN A FEW: Stephen Tancred judging his 35th fruit and vegetable section at the Stanthorpe Show in January. Picture: Matthew Purcell

HE'S helped fruit and vegetables growers problem solve their way through hail and drought, but winning the Rotary award for Excellence in Vocational Service was "quite a surprise” for Stanthorpe's Stephen Tancred.

Rotary's District 9640 is large, encompassing 1200 rotarians and 51 clubs from the Gold Coast, Northern New South Wales and the southern part of the Darling Downs.

Mr Tancred said he was humbled to think someone had nominated him, let alone that he'd been chosen as top contender.

"It's quite an honour to be nominated (as) as a professional that does your job well,” Mr Tancred said.

A horticultural consultant of 35 years, Mr Tancred's consultancy employs five fulltime staff as well as casual workers.

His work has taken him around the country and the world.

Apple and stonefruit orchards, strawberry fields, vineyards, tomato and vegetable farms are among those he's visited on the Granite Belt.

Up north it's mango growers, macadamia farmers and banana growers.

It's a role he finds great satisfaction in.

"It's always been important to me that I'm doing something worthwhile with my work, and helping the farming community feed the world three times a day is a pretty worthwhile thing,” he said.

"It's rewarding. And I've got very, very good staff - I'm not a one-man band.”

The practical side of his work has him problem solving with growers to get the most out of their farms and produce the best fruit and vegetables possible.

Research he does for corporate clients also keeps him up-to-date with the latest science.

Having your career intertwined with the local horticulture industry can be a "rollercoaster”, he said.

"You tend to go up and down with your industry.

"When there's good times, everything's good, and when there's bad times - with drought or hail...you tend to live the mood of your district.”

While he admitted to finding the recognition "a bit embarrassing”, he said he was tracking down the person who nominated him.

"It's a nice feeling,” he said.

"You get to the end of your career and you've made money and worked hard, but did you do any good in the world?

"So...we've got a very successful fruit and vegetable industry here in Stanthorpe...it's pretty tough times now with the drought but...we're world leaders in a lot of areas and it's been great to be a part of the development of that.”