100 Years Of Steadfast Advocacy
With CANEGROWERS Proserpine
For 100 years, CANEGROWERS have provided a professional and cohesive voice to growers across Queensland’s sugarcane regions. The not-for-profit public company has dedicated a century to supporting the best possible outcomes for cane growing business and industry, providing advocacy and advice to individual growers, family businesses and corporate enterprise, whilst affecting larger policy change across the country.
Locally Proserpine CANEGROWERS Co-operative will be celebrating the special occasion, commemorating its own unique past as a major tropical agricultural player, where cane growing is woven into the fabric of history, culture and lifestyle.
State-wide, CANEGROWERS have presented commemorative initiatives to celebrate the wonderful work that has been done over the past century. Legends of Cane Country celebrates the contributions of farmers throughout CANEGROWER’s history, inviting community nominations to recognise individuals whose leadership and commitment have made a real difference in their district.
The organisation has also produced ‘Voices of Cane Country’, a series of filmed conversations with long serving growers, as each share what a life in cane has meant to them with the first videos already available online.
Proserpine’s own rich history of sugar farming dates back to 1897, when the Proserpine Mill was constructed. In 1926 Queensland CANEGROWERS Council formed, marking the beginning of the CANEGROWERS organisation.
In 2004, Proserpine’s own independent CANEGROWERS Co-Operative formed. This move made all regional sugarcane farming offices independent, but every co-op will join together to celebrate the centennial, paying homage as a community to the incredible work that’s been done over the years by regional cane farmers.
As part of celebrations, Proserpine CANEGROWERS Co-Operative are putting on a special historical display at the 2026 Show Whitsunday. The display will feature an array of historical photos and machinery, demonstrating a timeline of evolving technology and dedicated hard work.
The celebrations will highlight the significance of local industry, and demonstrate that advancements made in Sugarcane farming here in Australia have always rippled outward, and had global influence.
“The big thing was harvesting,” explained Proserpine Manager Brendon Nothard.
“The Australian sugarcane industry was the world leader when it came to mechanisation of harvesting. They came up with the designs for the first sugarcane harvesters.”
Such advancements and adoption of technologies occurred across Queensland, including Proserpine, where a fruitful sugarcane industry has endured despite challenging conditions.
“We have a highly variable weather system up here. This is one of the most variable climates in Australia and Australia is one of the most variable climates in the world.” Brendon shared, assuring that despite such challenges, Proserpine continues to work hard to produce sugarcane.
“We are a grower owned organisation. Run by growers and owned by growers. Everything we do here is informed by what growers need most.”
Looking forward, a big theme concerning sugarcane farming’s future is renewable energy.
“The industry is currently focusing on the use of both ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel.” Brendon explained
Ethanol is a renewable biofuel produced from biomass (corn, sugarcane, waste) which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 44-52% compared to gasoline.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is an alternative fuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks that reduces air pollution from air transportation. It can be blended with other fuels. These sustainable fuels present huge potential for the industry, decreasing the reliance on externally imported oil.
From the past, looking into the future, CANEGROWERS exists for one simple reason: to give Queensland sugarcane growers a strong, united voice.
canegrowers.com.au
