Blush Growers

Blush Fact:

The Costa Group’s recruitment philosophy of “Hire for Character and Train for Skill” is the cornerstone of its reputation as a committed and expert food producer.

Godfrey Dol ― Glasshouse Manager

Dutch-born, Godfrey Dol is the Blush glasshouse manager. He has over 20 years’ experience managing successful glasshouse operations in the Middle East and North America, and his international experience, included managing tomato glasshouse enterprises of up to 16 hectares. Godfrey was the first grower employed by Village Farms, who are now one of North America’s largest and most successful tomato operations.

In Australia, Godfrey has been well known in the industry for his work with greenhouse tomatoes in Bundaberg as well as for his consulting role over the last ten years. He has been involved in the construction and management of more than 13 hectares of greenhouse in Australia.

Keshav Timalsena ― Senior Grower

Born in Nepal, Keshav has over 10 years’ experience growing tomatoes in both New Zealand and Australia. His responsibilities have covered the day-to-day management of glasshouse operations, encompassing all aspects of growing and plant management operations and activities, including production, budgeting, forecasting and environment control, as well as management of over 100 staff. Staff management experience has included training on crop culture such as deleafing, pruning, twisting, layering, fruit harvesting etc, occupational health and safety, staff recruitment and staff development. He has an excellent understanding about growing, plant management and the overall production of glasshouse tomatoes and is capable of detecting and responding to variations in the crops under different stress situations.

Keshav has completed a Diploma in Horticulture and National Certificate in First Line Management from Manukau Institute of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand.

Clinton Buck ― Grower / Manager

Hi, my name is Clinton Buck.

I commenced training with the company in February 2005 directly after completing a degree in Rural Science at the University of New England in Armidale NSW. My current position is Grower Manager, a challenging position regulating and controlling the growing of the tomato plants, as well as labour management, fertilizer, integrated pest management and training.

I grew up in Dubbo, completing school at South Dubbo Public. I then moved to Armidale to complete University and spent three months in Holland as part of training with Blush. I started in Guyra at the age of 22 and have now been at Guyra for over three years starting my fourth crop. My experience has been mostly summer cropping and I’m embarking on a new system with the completion of stage 3.

Paul Butterworth ― Grower / Manager

Hi, my name is Paul Butterworth. I am 24 years of age and was born in North West NSW in a little town called Wee Waa – a cotton town.

I moved to Armidale in 2002 to commence a degree in Rural Science at the University of New England. On completing my degree I applied for an assistant growing position at Blush. I began work at Blush in Guyra in September 2006. I am now part of a growing team striving to grow premium quality truss tomatoes in Australia’s best climate for greenhouse tomato production. I am enjoying the challenges put before me and am motivated to grow great tasting tomatoes for Australian consumers.