General News
19 May, 2026
100 years of advocacy
A CENTURY of advocacy, leadership and community spirit is the legacy celebrated as the Innisfail District Canegrowers organisation marked 100 years since its first meeting.
Exactly a century later on 30 March 1926, the board gathered to honour the milestone, reflecting on how the organisation has grown from a handful of pioneering farmers into one of North Queensland’s longest-standing grower bodies.
Chairman Joe Marano said the centenary was, not only a celebration of history, but of resilience and community.
“Generations of cane farmers have built this organisation and the industry it represents,” he said.
“The challenges may have changed, but the need for strong local representation has not.
“This milestone is a chance to reflect on how far we have come and ensure we are ready for the next 100 years.”
The centenary celebrations will include a gala dinner on Saturday 23 May at the Innisfail Shire Hall, bringing together growers, industry stakeholders and the wider community to honour the organisation’s legacy.
A special display at the Innisfail and District Show in July will follow, showcasing the achievements and progress of the local cane industry over the past century.
While Canegrowers was first formed in Mackay earlier that year, it was the Innisfail district meeting that set the course for local representation across the region’s mills and farming communities. The inaugural gathering brought together chairman Mr J.J. Castor (Mourilyan), Mr W.D. Davies (Goondi), Mr W.J. Cooper (Tully) and Mr G.F. Hudson (South Johnstone), who made practical decisions that shaped the future of the industry.
Among their earliest resolutions were establishing a district office in Innisfail with a branch in Tully, introducing a levy of 2 1⁄2 d per tonne to fund representation and ensuring strong communication with members through local media, principles that remain central to the organisation today.
A hundred years on, Canegrowers Innisfail continues to champion the issues that matter most to growers: productivity, profitability, sustainability and a strong voice in industry and government decision-making.
From negotiating on behalf of farmers to supporting water quality and environmental programs, the organisation has evolved alongside the industry while staying true to its founding purpose.
For gala dinner ticket bookings, visit www.bit.ly/4wf1OIG
Read More: Innisfail