Mike Arnold has been a fruit grower at Waikerie for more than seven decades and he’s been instrumental in the development of the citrus industry nationally, particularly in the areas of propagation and variety improvement. 

Some of his roles over the years have included:

Chairman of Auscitrus after the merging of the Australian Propagation and the Australian Citrus Improvement Associations in 2001 and chair of the Australian Citrus Improvement Society of which he was a founding member.

He’s also a stalwart of his local community in Waikerie, recently recognised by the South Australian Country Fire Service for his 62 years of volunteering. 

His sons have followed in his footprints both with the CFS and horticultural industries, just as he did when he returned to the family farm almost seventy years ago. 

Steve Burdette says Mike has always had a great interest in plant health, variety development and rootstocks. 

“He’s always been an example of how people unselfishly donate their time in not just the best interests of the industry but the growers as well. 

“I think a lot of people totally underestimate what Mike has contributed.” 

Gary Eyles, from Eyles Citrus says Mike has been instrumental in the success of Auscitrus.

“He’s been very passionate about Auscitrus and about having the buds and seeds that Auscitrus produce being clean and being the basis of a nice clean industry here in Australia,” he said.

He’s also well renowned for his love of a very particular desert. 

“If you ever go for dinner with Mike, he invariably asks for icecream and sprinkles, Gary said.

“It’s quite a joke, especially around the Auscitrus board table….to the point where I’ve seen some of the board members bring along some sprinkles, just for Mike.”