You don’t have to look very far to find inspiration in this region.
I dropped in to see Craig and Bindi Pressler at 2PH on Selm
a Road just south west of Emerald as they were packing limes from their orchards.
The Pressler family lost every single citrus tree from their farms in and around Emerald in 2005 to an outbreak of citrus canker. The loss of income, loss of jobs and toll on the family was immense. I was acting Mayor at the time and witnessed first hand the angst they, and the other citrus growers in the region experienced.
But rather than lament their incredible loss and the circumstances around the outbreak of disease, the Pressler family decided to head for the future, to use the blank canvas that was their bare paddocks and create a new, better, smarter horticultural business.
So on the 1st July 2007, to the cheers of a gathering of their friends, family, and locals who had supported the family, truckloads of nursery seedlings rolled onto 2PH and replanting commenced.
There are now over 300,000 seedless Murcott and Imperial mandarins, lemons and limes planted over 700 hectares with the majority of fruit headed for export markets and specialty local markets. They also grow 200 hectares of table grapes to round out their annual production.
They employ over 100 people on an almost permanent basis and currently have a staff of 320-350 for about 4 months of the year. And dozens of local businesses benefit from this massive operation.
But their plans for the future are to expand their production by 30% and increase planted hectares at an annual rate of 15-20%. Craig and Bindi as usual were in the packing sheds on Saturday making sure that the fruit they take great pride in, is packed and presented to the high standards that their customers expect.
They are a truly inspirational family. I was fortunate to be there on that magic day that the trucks rolled in to replant, and there is a murcott tree planted for each and everyone that was there on that memorable day in the paddock next to the packing shed. And on Saturday I made sure to look at “my” tree and saw that it was tall and healthy and productive. Just like the Presslers.
The 2PH business stands as a great example of the success that comes with resolve and hard work. Standing up in the face of adversity and building a better future.
And that’s what I will bring to the position of Mayor with your support.
Kerry Hayes, Mayor 
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