Key points:

• Wayne Hawthorne presented with 2010 GRDC Seed of Light award
• Seed of Light award recognises excellence in grains research extension

One of Australia’s most recognised authorities on pulse agronomy has been recognised for his efforts and achievements in communicating the outcomes of research.

Wayne Hawthorne, a senior Pulse Crop Development Manager with Pulse Australia, has been presented with the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Seed of Light award.

Based at Naracoorte in South Australia’s South-East, Mr Hawthorne received his award from GRDC Southern Regional Panel chair David Shannon at this week’s GRDC research Update in Adelaide.

Mr Shannon said Mr Hawthorne was a very deserving recipient of the 2010 GRDC southern region Seed of Light award, which recognises excellence in grains research and development communications.

“Wayne has played an influential role in the co-ordination and growth of the Australian pulse industry over recent decades,” Mr Shannon said. “He has been instrumental in promoting the industry which owes a great deal of its development to his tireless endeavours.”

Graduating with a Masters degree in Agricultural Science in 1970, Mr Hawthorne pursued his interest in the nutritional aspects of grain, commencing his career with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) as a research officer initially involved with developmental research into the benefits of lupins in stock rations.

He developed a keen involvement in the then emergent pulse industries, taking on the role as SA State agronomic research and extension coordinator, collaborating with the national breeding programs for chick peas, lupins and faba beans, and later field peas and lentils, and supervising SA breeding evaluation projects.

Gaining recognition as one of the key technical authorities on agronomic management for pulses at both state and national level, Mr Hawthorne was appointed SARDI’s Senior Research Officer, Pulses, taking on the additional responsibility of co-ordinating the relationship between the department and the industry value chain.

In this respect he was a driving force behind, and a key member of, the voluntary SA industry interest group, Pulse South Australia, bringing all industry sectors together with the common goal of co-ordinated industry development.

“Wayne initiated and joined many groups and committees, all with a united objective of progressing the industry,” Mr Shannon said.

He was Chair of the SA Department of Primary Industries (PIRSA) Pulse and Oilseed Industry Development Committee for some time prior to his retirement from the department.

Other roles during his career have included chairman of Pulse SA for several years prior to joining Pulse Australia, during which time Mr Hawthorne was responsible for many initiatives adopted at a national level.

As the SA representative on the national pulse standards committee, he played a driving role in the development of harmonised import/export trading standards across all states.

On his retirement from SARDI in 2003, Mr Hawthorne joined Pulse Australia Limited as Southern Region Pulse Crop Development Officer.

Mr Hawthorne has been a vital contributor to the development of extension materials for pulses, both in collaboration with major farming groups and other committees.

He developed and maintains “The Grain Legume Hand Book” – a seminal volume of management advice to pulse growers – and in his own right has been responsible for publications such as “Pulses Nutritional Value and Their Role in the Feed Industry”, a publication funded by the GRDC, now in its second print run and recognised as the key reference work on this subject globally.

For previous recipients of the Seed of Light visit www.grdc.com.au/seedoflight