Legend of the north to share knowledge with Mareeba growers

When it comes to fence building, veteran of the industry Macka says “Make the first expense, your last.”

With 40 years of experience fencing throughout Far North Queensland and the Channel Country, Macka is the ideal person to lead growers from Mareeba and surrounds in a fencing workshop to be held at Irresistible Orchards on Saturday 8 June.

The Fencing with Macka Workshop is being held as part of a Peer-to-Peer learning program, delivered by Growcom’s Hort360 Great Barrier Reef project.

Adequate fencing is vital to the ongoing success of horticultural operations in terms of biosecurity, boundary management, and protection of riparian vegetation and other environmentally sensitive areas.

Irresistible Orchards provides the perfect setting for the workshop, with a variety of Macka’s handiwork on the property to serve as demonstrations as to what can be achieved through appropriate material and design choices.

“I’m keen to hear what kinds of challenges growers are facing on their properties and pointing them in the right direction,” Macka said.

“I don’t think there’s anything they could throw at me that I wouldn’t be able to help with.”

Workshop organiser and Hort360 Great Barrier Reef Facilitator for Northern Catchments Paula Ibell said having Macka as part of this peer-to-peer learning opportunity had big benefits for attending growers.

“This is a terrific opportunity for growers to get trusted advice to improve their farms from another grower and one who is a guru when it comes to fencing,” Ms Ibell said.

As a bonus for attendees, Tonkin Steel, a longtime supplier of Macka’s is sponsoring lunch for the workshop.

The Peer-to-Peer program is delivered by Growcom’s Hort360 Great Barrier Reef project and is jointly supported by the Integrated Engagement and Capacity Building project through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program.

KEY INFORMATION
When: Saturday 8 June, 10am-1pm
Where: Irresistible Orchards, 1268 Mareeba Dimbulah Road, Mareeba QLD 4880
Register: https://bit.ly/3w2WIFu