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Nurturing nature
The Plunkett Orchards Legacy
FAMILY-OWNED, RICH IN AGRICULTURAL TRADITION
Nestled in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley region lies Plunkett Orchards, a family-owned enterprise rich in agricultural tradition. At its helm is Andrew Plunkett and his wife Sally, fourth-generation farmers. Their success is a testament to the ever-changing and evolving horticultural industry. Andrew grew up amidst the orchards of his family’s property just outside of Shepparton.
In his early years he gained a passion for horticulture from his mum and dad. Despite his initial desire to remain on the family property after high school, Andrew’s parents urged him to fly the nest and study agricultural science at university in Melbourne.
“Being sent away was the best thing for me. I had a blast,” Andrew laughs, “but more importantly, I gained invaluable knowledge that fuelled my passion for the industry.”
Returning to the orchard post-university, Andrew seamlessly integrated his newfound expertise into the family business. “It was gratifying to apply my education practically. I thought I knew a lot coming out of school and my time on farm, but my degreereally expanded my knowledge.”
Andrew’s deep connection to the region he’s called home for most of his life shines through as he speaks fondly of his family’s property.
“I’m so lucky to be able to give my children a similar childhood experience. Living on a farm that isn’t too far from town gives the kids a chance to still do activities like playing local sport. It gives us the best of both worlds.” Since his return from studying in the big smoke, Andrew has been instrumental in guiding Plunkett Orchards through a period of significant transformation.
“Since the 70s, demand for processed fruit has been declining as people are opting more for fresh fruit. This has drastically changed the supply chain both domestically and in the international markets.”
Specialising in fresh fruit, Plunkett Orchards primarily produces apples, with some pears and a selection of stone fruits, which land on our supermarket shelves or are shipped off across the world.
“Due to margins getting tighter, producers have stuck to what works best in their area, and for us, it’s apples.” With nutrient-rich soils provided by the Goulburn River and an ideal Mediterranean climate, it’s no surprise the Goulburn Valley region contributes to 25 per cent of the nation’s fresh food output.
While the Plunkett Orchards team champions apples, they also extend their expertise to other fruits in high demand globally. Pears are the biggest export market and go to Vancouver in Canada, after being packed in Plunkett’s own packing shed, with stone fruit and other pears heading to South-East Asia. This international reach underscores Plunkett’s commitment to meeting diverse consumer demands across global markets. However, what truly distinguishes Plunkett Orchards is the intimate family structure – a rarity in today’s agricultural landscape. Despite industry trends favouring larger corporate models, Plunkett remains steadfast in its tight-knit approach.
“Plunkett is so proud to still offer that small family structure. Our business is built on loyal and passionate people, who we are so grateful to work with – we couldn’t run our business without them.”
Navigating the complexities of staffing in the sector poses a continual challenge for the industry, especially with the seasonality of fruit harvest. “We always aim to take the seasonality out of the job, making it all-year-round roles for our team. This helps attract the right people to our business who want to continue to work with us.”
Andrew employs a diverse workforce of approximately 60 to 80 staff during the off-season, swelling to 120 to 140 during harvest.
To mitigate the risk of labour shortages, Andrew adopts a multifaceted approach, leveraging a mix of local hires, backpackers and Pacific Islander workers. Andrew’s role in managing staffing extends beyond recruitment. He is hands-on, filling gaps as needed and overseeing day-to-day operations, particularly during transitions or personnel changes.
“I truly love my job and the diversity of it. I’m always kept on my toes working alongside the team. The people are undoubtedly my favourite part of the orchard.” Andrew’s passion for farming also makes him the perfect man for the job. He loves the seasonality of the industry and how you can never be too sure what nature is going to deliver.
"I WAS TOLD IT COULDN’T BE DONE... BUT IT CAN BE DONE"
“Last year we had a terrible season with hail-damaged fruit, but now, touch wood, this harvest is looking near perfect” he laughs. Partnering with Kubota has been integral to Plunkett Orchards’ operational efficiency, with a fleet of Kubota machinery – B3150 and M5101 tractors, RTV-X900 side-by-sides and the SVL75 skid steer amongst others – some of it dating back more than three decades. “We bought our first Kubota tractor, a M6030, in 1986, and we still use this machine daily!” Kubota machines are a great fit for Plunkett Orchards, with their consistent reliability, ease of servicing, and simplicity for anyone to operate.
Plunkett Orchards’ have been working with local dealers Bertoli Farm Machinery for nearly 40 years, buying their first tractor from them. “Paul, Jack and Nicholas from Bertoli are a perfect fit for us. They know us and our business well, which means they are always in a position to give informed advice.
“I’ve always found that even if you have a good product on your hands, it doesn’t count for much without a good dealer. The team at Bertoli are always there to answer questions, make recommendations, help with spare parts, everything we could ever need.” Andrew explains.
The Plunkett team use the larger horsepower tractors for grunt work such as slashing and spraying, while the smaller tractors pull fruit bins in harvest and support workers on fruit-picking platforms.
The skid steer is a farm favourite, with Andrew commenting, “We utilise this for everything from pushing over old trees to putting in tanks; it has completely replaced our need for a front-end loader. It’s one of those pieces of equipment that I don’t know how I made do without!”
Beyond its agricultural prowess, Plunkett Orchards remains deeply rooted in the local community. Whether it’s sponsoring local sporting teams or nursing homes, Andrew understands the importance of giving back and fostering connections beyond the orchard gates. “This industry demands work early mornings, late nights and Saturdays, so we try and give back to our staff by investing in areas important to them.”
With an eye towards the future, Andrew remains optimistic about the role Plunkett Orchards will play in Goulburn Valley’s agricultural landscape, grounded in a legacy of resilience, innovation and deep appreciation for land and nature.
