Catherine Velisha spearheads Victorian assault on horticulture grower of the year title

Werribee South vegetable farmer Catherine Velisha is in the running to be named Australia’s best horticulture grower.

Catherine Velisha is the managing director of Velisha Farms in Werribee, who grow and distribute vegetables. Picture: Dannika Bonser

CATHERINE Velisha is on a one-way track to the top of the crops.

The third-generation vegetable grower, who oversees her family’s Velisha Farms business at Werribee South, is in the running to be named Australia’s best horticulture producer.

Catherine is one of nine finalists — and the only female — vying for the prestigious AUSVEG Grower of the Year title to be announced at the industry’s Hort Connections event in Melbourne next week.

Other Victorian finalists are Jeremy Haw of Hussey & Co at Pearcedale, Marco Mason of Mason Bros Vegetable Farms at Werribee South, Jason Shields of Plunkett Orchards at Ardmona and David Wallace of Wallace Farms at Keilor.

In the Young Grower of the Year category, Victoria’s hopes rest with Stephanie Corrigan from Corrigans Produce Farms at Clyde, Michael Evans from Mulgowie Farming Company at Bairnsdale and Carl Young.

Catherine’s family has been growing vegetable crops at Werribee South since 1949 and supplies broccoli, cauliflower, kale and wombuk to wholesale markets and supermarkets. She joined the business in 2004.