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.
CHAIR
Gavin Booth
Gavin Booth has been in the WA industry since 2006. He and his wife Mel own a 5 hectare truffle plantation planted in 2009. Recently they formed a truffle sales and marketing operation called Australian Truffle Traders.
VICE CHAIR
John Crabtree
Following an extensive career in Architecture, along with my wife Leanne, we purchased Hazeloak farm in 2011 with a group of like minded colleagues. These days it is more of a family affair with my daughter Ashleigh and her husband Travis in partnership with leanne and myself. Our 65 acre property sits between Bridgetown and Manjimup with a 2 hectare truffle orchard. The orchard was first planted in 2001 and was one of the first in the Great Southern. From complete novices, the journey has been steep but rewarding.
TREASURER
Leanne Johnstone
Commercial Grower
With the intention of running their engineering business from home, Leanne and husband Scott purchased a 40 acre property in Manjimup nestled among the Karri trees in 1993. The prospect of utilising some of their property for a truffière came into fruition in October 2005, with the planting of 4 acres of hazelnut and oak trees inoculated with Tuber Melanosporum. The family’s first French black truffle was unearthed in July 2011 and production has increased to 90 kilograms in 2016.
SECRETARY & newsletter
Anne Mitchell
Committee Member
Adrian Mielke
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Damon Boorman
Anne Mitchell has a background in research science, microbiology, winemaking and viticulture. She has been involved in the truffle industry for 10 years as a truffle producer, development officer for the Department of Agriculture and Food, and more recently as a consultant scientist to the National Pest and Disease Research Project.
Adrian has been a truffle hunter for for 13 seasons, the first 2 seasons in NSW in 2010 and 2011 and in WA since 2012. He runs a team of 7 truffle hunters that service more than 15 properties in the South West, including 2 major farms. Australian Truffle Hunters are the largest and most experienced commercial truffle hunting organisations in Australia
Damon is one of the most experienced people in the Australian Truffle industry and is currently the General Manager of Oak Valley Truffles in Manjimup
Damon Boorman