PURPOSE AND CONSTITUTION
The mission of the Truffle Producers Western Australia Inc. is to promote awareness, growth, and development of the truffle industry in Western Australia. Our path to accomplish this mission will include researching best practices in all aspects of the industry, setting standards for premium truffles, sharing information between growers, as well as educating the public.
The direct result of TPWA’s action will be a strong and vibrant truffle industry from planting to marketing.
CURRENT COMMITTEE
The Committee endeavours to represent TPWA's members and to be relevant to the membership. If you have any suggestions how you feel the committee would be better able to do this or have any thoughts on topics and issues you would like the committee to consider, please do not hesitate to contact one of the members.
gavin booth
Chair
Gavin has been part of the Western Australian truffle industry since 2006. He and his wife Mel own a 5-ha truffle orchard established in 2009 and together have been hands-on across the sector — from cultivation and distribution to dog handling and hunting. Recently they launched Australian Truffle Traders, a dedicated truffle sales and marketing operation that builds on their long-standing practical experience and commitment.
John crabtree
General committee member
After a long architecture career, John and his wife Leanne bought Hazeloak Farm in 2011 with colleagues. Now a family business, joined by their daughter Ashleigh and her husband Travis in managing the 65‑acre property between Bridgetown and Manjimup. It includes a 2‑ha truffle orchard first planted in 2001, one of the Southern Forests’ earliest. As novices in truffle cultivation, the family faced a steep learning curve but turned Hazeloak into a rewarding labour of love and growing legacy.
Leanne Johnstone
Treasurer
With the intention of running an engineering business from home, Leanne and her husband Scott purchased a 40‑acre property near Manjimup. In October 2005 they decided to use part of the land for a truffière, planting four acres of hazelnut and oak trees inoculated with Tuber melanosporum. The family unearthed their first truffle in July 2011, and production increased to 90 kilograms in 2016.
STEVE WALSH
Secretary
Steve is the manager of Manjimup Truffles and Five Acre Nursery. Based in the Southern Forests region, he focuses on enhancing truffle production through inoculation, targeted soil management and orchard practices. Though he does not own a truffle orchard himself, his work has fuelled a deep passion for the industry. Since 2014, Steve has been instrumental in inoculating truffle trees used by numerous orchards across Western Australia, helping to expand and strengthen local truffle production.
John Klepic
Vice Chair
John and his wife Evdokia are the duo behind the Below & Above wine label, blending a passion for place with careful cultivation. In 2014 they expanded a vision by purchasing a property ideally suited for truffle production: the Smithbrook Truffière is 50 hectares and planted with more than 17,000 host trees.
Sam Modica
Dr Will Powell