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What is the AMS?
The Australian Macadamia Society is a body of approximately 700 Australian and 20 overseas members representing all facets of the macadamia industry in Australia. Whilst the majority of members are growers, membership also includes such diverse occupations as processors, administrators, business people, investors, marketers, consultants, researchers, engineers, teachers and other macadamia enthusiasts.
It is estimated that 90% of Australian growers are members of the Society and that they produce 96% of the Australian annual production. The AMS was founded with the objectives of promoting and coordinating all aspects of the industry, to encourage free exchange of ideas and information and to foster goodwill among members.
What does the AMS do?
- We provide services to members, including this website – for electronic information retrieval, a monthly e-newsletter and a bi-monthly News Bulletin, which contains reports on industry affairs; news items; progress and final reports of macadamia industry research and marketing programs; and a forum for discussion and debate.
- We commission research and determine priorities.
- We play a leading role in financing research and marketing, using funds collected through the Federal Government Statutory levy system (on nut-in-shell production) that formally ties the industry to Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL).
- The main avenues of research have included nursery and orchard practices, processing and marketing research, packaging and transport, and product shelf life as well as medical research into health benefits.
- The AMS also has a Code of Sound Orchard Practices (COSOP)available to all AMS members and has implemented an on farm quality management system called the Macadamia Industry Approved Supplier Program.
- Establishes grade standards in the industry for the end product, which include quality standards as well as uniform sampling and testing procedures.
- Provides publicity and information by brochures, recipe leaflets, lists of member macadamia consultants, nurseries and processors, reviews of industry happenings and items in the News Bulletin and e-newsletter,participation in various local, regional and interstate promotions. The Society also funds and promotes marketing surveys and generic promotional campaigns.
- Gives strength and leadership.
- The AMS has assisted the Australian macadamia industry in leading the world in quality standards and research, ensuring a sound, viable future for its members. The strength of the AMS in Australia has been made possible by strong leadership and planning by the Society leaders since the AMS was established in 1974. This strength has made the Australian industry a world leader in research, efficiency and promotion.
- With over 6 million macadamia trees established throughout the country, the industry is more than playing its part in ‘Greening Australia’.
How does the AMS do this?
A Board of nine members, all of whom are elected by members at our Annual General Meetings, manage the Society. Support staff that work from our office in Lismore NSW, comprise of a full time CEO, a Finance and Administration Manager, an Administrative Assistant/Receptionist, an Industry Development Manager and an Industry Development Officer. An Industry Development Officer, employed on a part-time basis, is employed in Bundaberg. There is a Marketing sub-committee that handles marketing and promotional matters, an R&D sub-committee that annually reviews research submissions for funding by Horticulture Australia and other committees are formed as needed.
Structure of the organisation
- Chairman of the Board
- Vice Chairman
- Secretary
- Board Members
- Chief Executive Officer
- Industry Development Manager
- Finance and Administration Manager
- Industry Development Officer(s)
- Administrative Assistant
- R & D, Marketing and News Bulletin Subcommittees
- Membership
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