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AMGA


Australia’s Mr Mushroom moves on


After 18 years and 49 weeks as General Manager of the Australian Mushroom Growers’ Association, Greg Seymour has left the organization, following a restructure of the


Association. He’s already looking forward to his next adventures though. By Roel Dreve


You seem not too surprised by the Board’s decision?


Seymour’s commitment to the Aus- tralian and international mushroom Industry is widely acknowledged. This picture was taken at the 50th anniversary of the AMGA in Sydney in 2011.


Photo: Roel Dreve I 20 MUSHROOM BUSINESS


t was not his decision to leave. As AMGA Chairman Kevin Tolson told the members, “Following the re-organisation of the Australian Horticultural Industry and the transition from Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) to Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA), the role of The AMGA has changed significantly. Several previous functions will now be managed by HIA. Given this restructure, the Board has seen it as an imperative to review the AMGA’s struc- ture. The GM’s role has been revised in order to reflect these changes. In doing so, it is with regret that we farewell Mr Greg Seymour.” He went on to compliment Seymour on a job very well done. “Greg has admirably represented our industries membership and seen the industry through large changes. His leadership and industry knowledge will be greatly missed.”


Greg’s passion and commitment to the Mushroom Industry is widely acknowledged worldwide and has significantly contributed to the outcomes the Australian industry has been able to achieve.


I had a chance to talk with him just after he left.


“It was a shock at the time but other horticultural industry organizations like AMGA have also been affected by the changes at HIA so the possibility was “in the air”. My departure was going to happen one way or another in the next few years. I gave the board an eight year transition strategy five years ago so I have been doing a bit of planning in the background for my future after AMGA. My departure has occurred a little sooner than I had planned but I am not unhappy about it. I have a few ideas for some commercial activities associated with the mushroom industry in Australia and overseas but now I get to act on them straight away which is really exciting. One thing that’s appealing is that I get to concentrate on the things that I enjoy and work with positive people. I’m going to take a short break and then I will make some announcements about where to next.”


What does it all mean for AMGA? There have been more changes, like the departure of Offi ce Manager Sheri LeFeuvre.


“The Board has been focused on reducing its operating costs but Sheri’s situation was not associated with this process. Sheri had worked at AMGA for over 20 years and wanted to call it a day. She will be missed by many in many ways. When Sheri retired, her role was divided up and various bundles of her tasks were allocated to specialist service providers, and the two remai- ning AMGA staff.


But AMGA is not in dire straits? “No, not at all. The organization is just reorga- nizing itself in response to a changed operating environment. AMGA is in a very sound financial position and has a strong membership base.


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