CANEGROWERS has taken the unprecedented step of endorsing a candidate for the board of Sugar Terminals Limited.
CANEGROWERS chairman Paul Schembri said Stephen Calcagno had been officially endorsed to ensure the interests of farmers were represented by another cane farmer on the STL board.
"It's a sign of the confidence we have in Stephen Calcagno to represent the best interests of growers while being open minded and forward-thinking enough to work with other board members for the benefit of the whole industry," Mr Schembri said.
Mr Calcagno is the chairman of CANEGROWERS Cairns Region, farming at Bellenden Ker.
"We must never lose sight of the fact that our ports, the timeliness of delivery and our reputation for reliability are some of our biggest selling points on the global market," Mr Calcagno said.
"Ensuring we maintain this goes hand-in-hand with having a successful company that can also return a dividend to shareholders.
"Sugarcane growers have a unique viewpoint on many issues and these views need to be heard and considered when the board of STL makes decisions about the company's future in the interests of the industry as a whole."
Grower shareholders can vote in person or by proxy at the Sugar Terminals Limited AGM on October 21.
"I encourage all STL grower shareholders to use their vote," Mr Schembri said.
"These world-class terminals were built to ensure growth opportunities for the industry across all of the regions and, as grower shareholders, we need to ensure we have a strong voice in their management.
"The best way to do that is to vote for Stephen Calcagno. Everyone needs to have a say and not leave the decision to a few larger shareholders."
