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TAHUNE FIELDS
NURSERY- A Division of Oak Tasmania
106 Lucaston Road
Lucaston Tasmania 7109
Phone: (03) 6266 4474
Fax: (03) 6266 4451
Email: garry.carmichael@oak.org.au
Web: www.oak.org.au
Tahune Fields, a Division
of Oak Tasmania, is located at Lucaston in the Huon Valley in Southern
Tasmania. Tahune is a recognised and
respected producer of high quality young pome and stone fruit trees
for commercial orchardists in Tasmania and interstate. Tahune Fields
is involved in the development and management of apple varieties including
joint venture agreements with plant breeders, new variety owners and
marketing groups internationally. Tahune Fields also produces
pine wooden apple bins and wooden pallets for the fruit and other
local industries.
Tahune Fields won a Tasmanian Community Achievement Award in 2007,
in the category of Primary Industry and Agriculture. The Award recognises
individuals, organisations and groups who are making a difference
in their local communities and the state of Tasmania. The award
also recognises
the success that Tahune Fields has achieved in the area of national
and international export. This is the inaugural Award for Tasmania
and is part of the national Awards Australia project.
Tahune Fields has recently become the proud owner of a ‘Lauwer’s
tree digger imported from Belgium. The tree digger is capable of
digging
30,000 trees per day and is believed to be the first of its’ kind
in Australia.
An innovative way of delivering young apple trees is saving on
handling costs for Tahune’s clients, while improving the quality
of the end
product. Tahune Fields now delivers its’ young apple trees in
apple bins with sawdust packed around the roots of the trees.
The trees
are delivered without any damage and refrigerated containers
are no longer
necessary for transport as the roots remain in a moist condition.
Growers have commented favourably on the ease of unloading the
trees and the
savings in handling costs, as the stock does not need to be ‘bedded
in’ while waiting to be planted.
Tahune Fields has the capacity to obtain DNA of their apple varieties,
which assists to confirm the variety, and prevent illegal growing
of Tahune’s exclusive varieties. DNA testing has been undertaken
on the
unique characteristics of the Ruby Pink variety, supporting
the application for Plant Breeders Rights (PBR).
To remain competitive in the nursery market, Tahune Fields
identified a need to access new varieties of rootstock and
fruit trees.
The subsequent purchase of a license to be a member of the
Australian Nurserymen’s
Fruit Improvement Company (ANFIC) has taken place, allowing
Tahune access to new varieties of pears, apples, rootstocks
and a big
variety of other fruits from around the world.
History
The Huon Valley branch of the Retarded Children’s Welfare
Association was established following a public meeting
held at Geeveston
in 1967. The aims of this body were to lobby for the establishment
of a special
school for disabled children, and to establish a sheltered
workshop for disabled adults. Both of these projects would
support local
people with disability with the sheltered workshop providing
employment
for the special school leavers and adults alike. The establishment
of a
special school was achieved in 1970 and a 17 acre property
for a
rural activities centre was purchased in 1974.
Located on the main road at the outskirts of Huonville,
the property consisted of 10 acres of established apple
orchard
and a number
of large buildings that had previously been used as apple
packing sheds.
Two years later in 1976, the first staff members were
appointed and the first trainees were employed.
In 1979, an additional property of 80 acres was purchased
at nearby Lucaston. The property contained extensive
river flats,
which was
ideal for the expanding nursery business. In 1982 the
old orchard on the
original property was grubbed out and a new orchard
planting programme was begun at Lucaston. The major upgrade
saw
the company become
a significant grower and supplier of young apple trees.
Fourteen acres
of young apple
orchard consisting of high-demand varieties were planted
at the Lucaston property.
In 1986 further development took place with the purchase
of the original homestead at Lucaston. The original
property at
Huonville
was also
sold in 1986 and funds from the sale were used to
establish new bin and pallet manufacturing facilities on the
Lucaston property.
All
operations were transferred to Lucaston and the homestead
was developed into administrative
and support offices.
Tahune Fields services mainly Australian commercial
orchardists in South Australia, Victoria, New South
Wales and Queensland.
Activities include growing in excess of 170,000
apple trees and stone fruit
trees per year, and manufacturing apple bins for
local and interstate growers.
Four hectares of apple orchards are planted at
the Lucaston property. Training in rural industry specific
skills
has been conducted
since 1988, with employees undertaking training
in rural and fruit growing
Certificates at an entry level.
Tahune Fields has dedicated staff and employees
that ensure the growing of high-quality trees
and maintaining
its’
recognition as one of
the leading apple tree nurseries in Australia
and internationally.
Contact Details:
Tahune Fields is a Division of Oak Tasmania
The provision of employment assistance services to people with disabilities
is funded by the Australian Government under the Disability Employment
Assistance Program.
PO Box 62
Huonville, Tasmania 7109
Phone: (03) 6266 4474
Fax: (03) 6266 4451
Email: garry.carmichael@oak.org.au
For tree sales, contact Brendon Francis
Email: brendon.francis@oak.org.au
www.oak.org.au
 
Propagation
 
Planting out for continued growth until digging
next winter
New Nursery Tree Digger
Level 2D
Nursery Trees ready for Loading
Nursery Trees ready for Despatch
The main focus is on the process of product development as well as
the commitment of constantly providing new varieties of trees to meet
market trends and changes in demand.
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