The Greater Whitsunday region is advancing agricultural adoption and innovation with the launch of two pivotal initiatives: the AgTech Mastermind Workshop and the AgTech Activators which are set to shape the future of agriculture in the region.
The AgTech Mastermind Workshop on August 7, 2025, will bring together producers, agtech suppliers, service providers, and other stakeholders to discuss ways to take agtech adoption forward.
The workshop will foster collaborative discussions around sustainability, resilience, and long-term prosperity within agriculture. The insights gained from the workshop will directly influence the content of upcoming ZeroIn workshops, where agtech strategies will be broken down into actionable steps for practical on-farm adoption.
The AgTech Activators program will also be launched at the workshop. These local champions will work within sectors like sugarcane, livestock, and aquaculture to drive the adoption of agtech, supporting farmers in navigating and implementing new technologies.
Greater Whitsunday Alliance Chief Executive Officer Ms Kylie Porter said AgTech Activators have been chosen based on their passion for agtech, local agricultural expertise, and commitment to the region.
“We’re excited to be promoting the importance of agtech here in the Greater Whitsunday region.
“With the launch of the AgTech Mastermind Workshop and the AgTech Activator program, we’re taking proactive steps to support local producers and the agtech sector.
– Ms Kylie Porter.
“We know that the role of agtech is increasingly important to the future of agriculture, and we hope that by bringing together industry leaders and local producers, we can help the industry not just meet future challenges head-on but also grow the sector overall.
The AgTech Activators are a group of passionate leaders selected from various agricultural sectors.
Their role is to drive agtech adoption, help local producers navigate the technological landscape, and build stronger connections between industry stakeholders. These regional champions were chosen based on their dedication to innovation, expertise in their respective sectors, and a shared goal of advancing the future of agriculture.
AgTech Activators:
- Tony Charles – Senior Manager, Australian Prawn Farms
- Michelle Martin – District Manager, Canegrowers Mackay
- Kerryn Davison – GIS Tech and Extension Farmacist
- Gillian Russell – Agri Workforce Officer, BGGA
- Damian Baxter – Agronomy Manager, Nordzucker Mackay Sugar
Ms Porter said the AgTech Activators were chosen for their deep industry knowledge and commitment to agtech adoption.
Australian Prawn Farms Senior Manager Tony Charles said he was constantly scanning global trends in agtech and aqua tech, which will be invaluable in guiding other local producers to leverage technology in improving their practice.
“I’m fascinated by what’s going on and how it applies here,”
– Tony Charles
Canegrowers Mackay District Manager Michelle Martin expressed her excitement about bringing people together across industries.
“I look forward to bringing people from all kinds of ag businesses together and working as one team to make this region even better,” she said.
Gillian Russell, Agri Workforce Officer at Bowen Gumlu Growers Association believes training and development are key.
“It’s important that growers are investing in the right tech – and that they have access to the training they need in-region,” she said.
Agtech Mastermind Workshop
AgTech Mastermind Workshop – Mackay
🗓️ Thursday 7 August | 🕤 9:30am – 3:30pm
📍 Resources Centre of Excellence
To register for the free Agtech Mastermind Workshop visit here.
For more information on the Agtech Activators and the Greater Whitsunday Agtech Hub visit here.
The AgTech Mastermind Workshop and the AgTech Activators initiatives are powered by the Greater Whitsunday AgTech Hub and is proudly supported by the Queensland Government’s Regional Enablers Program.
For more information, please contact Fallon Drewett 0417727084
