Innovation bears fruit

By Rebecca Fraser
NARRE Warren North orchardist Bill Montague has received a Medal of the Order of Australia.
The Queen’s Birthday honour recognised the 79yearold’s service to the fruit industry through the introduction of a range of innovations to improve the quality of market produce.
Mr Montague, who now lives in Blairgowrie, said he was thrilled yet surprised to receive the honour.
His sons now operate the orchard and Mr Montague still sits on the company’s board of directors.
Mr Montague established the orchard in 1950 and incorporated the family business eight years later.
He was the first to introduce Controlled Atmosphere storage in Australia in 1967 to better preserve his produce and became the first waxer of supplied fruit in 1977.
Mr Montague has also been credited with being the first to introduce nitrogen flushing for use in Controlled Atmosphere systems and for introducing new varieties of apples.
Mr Montague said his adult children, grandchildren and wife Elaine were delighted with the honour, and that he was still trying to find out who nominated him.
“I do not have a clue who it was that nominated me; absolutely no idea. No one is owning up to it,” he said.
More than five years ago Mr Montague was inducted into the Australian Fresh Fruit Company Hall of Fame.
In 1999 he was named a Friend of the International Dwarf Treefruit Association of America in recognition of his strong ties with apple growers in the United States.
Mr Montague was also a member of the Dandenong Hospital Board for 10 years and is still an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Dandenong.
He is also former patron of the Victoria State Opera and Opera Australia and is sponsor of the Victorian Art Centre Supporter and supports several organisations including the Epworth Foundation, the Alfred Foundation, the RACV Foundation and Visy Cares.