“Australian lightweight champion from lil ol’ Swan Bay”

By Samantha Elley

Maddog boxing’s Sunny McLean has been going from strength to strength this past year, grabbing titles from each of the events he has been fighting in.

Sunny McLean and his coach, Scott Smith, who runs Maddox Boxing, were recently picked to represent Queensland as the fighter and coach team to compete in the national titles in Gosford.

Sunny won all his elimination bouts and beat the NSW champion in the gold medal fight, to become the newly crowned Australian champion in the lightweight division.

They were surprised with a visit from Jason and Andrew Moloney, world champion professional boxers.

“Every state in Australia was there with all the best fighters and the (Moloney brothers) came to support us, so we felt so special,” said Scott.

“They came to help me prepare Sunny for his last two fights in this event.”

Sunny was competing for Queensland as he already holds the title of QLD/NSW interstate champion.

“His first opponent, the referee stopped the fight in the 3rd round,” said Scott.

“His second opponent was the favourite from Tasmania and Sunny won that fight to go through for the gold medal against the NSW champion.

“Andy (co-trainer) and I worked out a plan to beat him and Sunny did exactly what he was asked and never last control of the situation.

“He is now the Australian lightweight champion from lil ol Swan Bay.”

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Blueberry Prices Fall as Australian Supply Peaks Amid Seasonal Overlap

By Ian Rogers

Blueberry prices across Australia have dropped significantly, with punnets now selling for under $2.50 in most capital cities due to a seasonal surge in supply. Earlier in the year, a gap in supply led to prices soaring up to $20 a punnet in some areas. However, with production in full swing, Australians are enjoying more affordable prices as local farms reach peak output.

In Western Australia, this price decline is fuelled by a strong local supply, as blueberry production in the northern region winds down while production in the south ramps up. “What you’re seeing is a crossover between the two regions. This [price level] will be consistent for the next month,” explained Joshua McGuinness, Mountain Blue’s general manager of sales and marketing.

While many of WA’s blueberries are locally sourced, some are typically imported from the eastern states. However, recent biosecurity measures to mitigate fruit fly risks have limited imports, creating more demand for locally grown berries and supporting WA farmers.

Rachel Mackenzie, Executive Director of Berries Australia, noted that low prices in peak season do not pose a significant concern for growers, who base profit margins on annual averages. “We need to consider the whole season’s average price to ensure growers can turn a profit,” Mackenzie said.

With demand variations across the country, WA farmers are also taking advantage of interstate opportunities. Berrysweet owner Anthony Yewers shared that he plans to send fruit to South Australia to help meet supply gaps caused by recent adverse weather in the eastern states.

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Strong Global Interest in Australian Macadamia Farms

By Ian Rogers

The Australian macadamia industry is experiencing significant growth, attracting strong global interest, particularly in the Bundaberg region of Queensland, one of the country’s largest macadamia-producing areas. Recently, two well-developed and highly productive macadamia orchards spanning 1,512 hectares have been listed for sale, offering a rare opportunity for investment in this high-growth industry.

The first property, Winfield Orchard, covers 750 hectares and boasts 68,730 trees. It has undergone significant rejuvenation, including strategic limb and row removal and irrigation upgrades, resulting in a production of 1,043 tonnes of macadamias in 2024. Additionally, there are 48 hectares of vacant plantable land, providing an opportunity for further development.

The second property, Miara Orchard, spans 762 hectares and contains 33,703 younger trees planted between 2020 and 2022. In 2024, it yielded 13.9 tonnes, with production expected to increase as the trees mature. Both properties benefit from proximity to major transport hubs, ensuring efficient distribution to both domestic and international markets.

This surge in interest aligns with global trends and rising demand for macadamias, particularly in Asia, offering robust opportunities for Australian producers. The Australian macadamia industry has seen production increase from 35,200 tonnes in 2013 to 51,500 tonnes in 2021, highlighting the sector’s growth and potential.

For those interested in exploring macadamia farm investments, resources such as Farmbuy.com provide listings and guides to assist potential buyers.

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