The Faces of Kalamia Cane Growers & Kalagro
Our Directors
Robert Malaponte
Chairman
Elected on May 2000 Director
Elected on May 2004, Chairman
Elected Kalagro Limited Director on 4th November 2010
Qualifications:- Graduate of the Rural Leadership Course, Gatton College
- Acquired the family cane farm some years ago and operates a back hoe contracting business in conjunction with the farming enterprise.
- Former Chairman and Member of Burdekin Farm Safety Action Group.
- Director since Kalamia CaneGrowers Company was incorporated in May 2000.
Robert Zandonadi
Deputy Chairman
Appointed on 1st May 2016 Director
Qualifications:- Completed secondary education at St Augustines College Cairns 1981
- Fitter & Turner trade at Pioneer Mill 1982-1986
- Owned small wholesale business 1986-1992
- Previously involved with the Kalamia Young Farmers group
- Managing family cane farm since 1987
Joseph Quagliata
Director
Elected on 13th August 2007 – Director
Elected Kalagro Limited Director on 4th November 2010
Experience:- Growing cane since the age of 16 and involved in harvesting and haulage for a number of years.
- Currently owns and manages a haulage truck, hauling in excess of 100,000 tonne of cane in the Airville area
- Operates a tipper-bin servicing growers through Burdekin Productivity Services with seed cane.
- Director of Kalamia Cane Growers since 2007
Denis Pozzebon
Director
Appointed on 1st May 2016 Director
Qualifications:- Sugar Cane BMP accredited 2016
Experience:
- Living and working on family farm since age 5, farming full time for 26 years.
- Previously worked delivering fuel to farmers and businesses for a number of years.
- Involved with many committees including Rural Fire and Sugar Advisory boards.
- First Officer for Rural Fire Brigade for 9 years
- Member of Catalyst Group
- Involved with Sugar Cane Innovations group (NQ Dry Topics)
- Participated in a number of Chemical, Fertiliser, Soil, Yield and Harvesting trials
- Recently involved with Autonomous Irrigation Trial
Meet The Staff
Dave Paine
Manager
Started as Manager 1st February 2021
Jacki Kratzmann
Payroll Manager/Administration Officer
Started on 5th April 1994
Narelle Breadsell
Administration Officer
Started on 6th October 2011
Annmaree D'Alessandro
Administration Officer
Started on 19th January 2015