01. What is your role within the industry (e.g. grower, COO, banana category manager)?  

I am a grower based in Carnarvon, Western Australia.   

02. What is your background and how did you come to join the ABGC board? 

I have been a banana grower for 20 years and I am also the former Chair of Sweeter Banana and I still serve as a Director on the Sweeter Banana Cooperative. 

I joined the ABGC Board because I wanted to represent Western Australia and ensure local growers had a strong voice. 

03. What key priorities are you focused on as a director? 

My key priority as a Director is to help strengthen and advance the banana industry as a whole. That means ensuring growers have a strong voice, supporting initiatives that improve industry as a whole! 

04. Why should banana farmers join ABGC? 

ABGC is constantly advocating for banana growers and the industry, giving farmers a strong collective voice. Through membership, ABGC also delivers a wide range of resources, programs, and projects that support growers and strengthen their businesses. 

I’m surprised that not all growers are members! 

05. What is a fun fact about you? 

My nickname is Lassie, which I picked up at boarding school. It started because of my last name, Collins, which was shortened to “Collie,” and from there “Lassie” just stuck with me ever since.