10 Jun 2024
SuniTAFE’s new Horticultural Relationship Manager Matt Wilson is eager to see the SuniTAFE SMART Farm thrive and transform into a centre of excellence for both industry and the education sector.
While Matt might be new to the role, he is no stranger to the local horticulture industry.
At 13 he moved to Loxton in the Riverland, where his family purchased a 100 acre fruit property growing citrus, wine grapes, and stone fruit. This initially sparked Matt’s interest in horticulture.
“That is where it all began but originally after finishing school, I studied a Bachelor's Degree in Music (Jazz) at the Adelaide Conservatorium,” Matt said.
“After that I returned to the Riverland and found some work on a 10,000 broadacre farm where I worked in a piggery as well as with crop seeding and harvesting.
“During the wine grape harvesting period I also worked with a contract harvesting group”.
In the early 90’s, Matt undertook a two year apprenticeship in Production Horticulture with the Riverland Institute of TAFE. Whilst undertaking the apprenticeship, Matt worked on an Almond Orchard as well as in a Nursery specialising in budding and grafting of vines and citrus. The apprenticeship also enabled Matt to obtain a truck licence used to cart citrus during harvesting periods.
From there Matt’s career saw him take on various roles including State Technical Officer with Loxton to Bookpurnong Local Action Planning (Natural Resource Management) and Land & Water Management Technical Officer with Central Irrigation Trust.
After meeting his wife in Loxton, the couple moved to Mildura, where he spent 15 years with Lower Murray Water as a Senior Technical Officer and Water Register Approving Officer before moving to Select Harvest Limited as the Water Portfolio Manager.
After close to 30 years working in the water industry, Matt decided to take a different direction with his career. The Horticultural Relationship Manager role was advertised with SuniTAFE and Matt decided to apply for the position.
“It sounded interesting, and I have always had a passion for new innovation, new technologies and just seeing where the horticultural industry is now and what it may look like in the future,” he said.
“With an increasing global population, limited resources for example suitable land and water supply, changing climate, and an increased demand in both food and fibre, there is a real need for innovation to enable the ability to produce more with less”.
“With innovation there are a lot technological advancements, which will require a skilled workforce to both operate and maintain. This is where SuniTAFE and the SMART Farm can play a big role in providing training opportunities and upskilling to meet an evolving industry workforce demand.”
While Matt has his own interest in horticulture, he is also passionate about fostering the next generation to share his passion.
Within his previous and current role, Matt has been working in collaboration with the Horticulture Immersion Project run through the Chaffey Secondary College. The project enables participating Year 9 students from various partnering schools to both learn about the Horticultural industry and to visit industry to gain exposure to a wide range of technologies and career pathway opportunities.
Matt considers this to be a vital starting point to generate interest amongst a younger generation who could potentially end up being the next generation of leaders within the industry.
“It is estimated that the Horticultural Industries within the greater Sunraysia region are worth $1.86 billion. We are a significant food bowl with plenty of job opportunities, and it is important that we can foster and maintain a skilled workforce to meet the growing and changing needs of this industry,” Matt said.
“The Horticultural industry supports many towns and cities within the greater Sunraysia region. It also not only provides food and fibre to the rest of our country, but also most parts of the world.
“Working within the industry is not just about growing and picking fruit and driving tractors. A wide range of specialised jobs exist within this industry including Irrigation Technicians, Technical Officers, Agronomists, Mechanics, Electricians, Accountants, Quality Control Officers just to name a few.”
Matt’s Horticulture Relationship Manager role will be about overseeing the SuniTAFE SMART Farm with existing developments, new developments, liaising with industry and other partners within the horticulture agricultural sector, bringing in new innovations, working with schools and creating career pathways and educational opportunities for the new emerging leaders within the industry.
“I would like to see the SuniTAFE Farm evolve into a place of excellence for industry, the education sector, and the wider community. I would also like to see the farm showcase new technologies, new innovations, and to demonstrate improved techniques for growing agriculture and horticulture within our region,” Matt said.
If you are interested in learning more about studying horticulture or agriculture at SuniTAFE, click here to find out more.