Strong field of finalists for CRDC Chris Lehmann Young Cotton Achiever of the Year Award

THE Namoi Valley’s own Natalie Aquilina has been named one of three finalists for the prestigious Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) Chris Lehmann Young Cotton Achiever of the Year Award.

Aquilina, a technical agronomist with Cotton Seed Distributors, is joined by fellow finalists Alexandria Doyle from Emerald, Queensland, and Lauren Roellgen, a cotton grower from the Darling Downs.

The CRDC Chris Lehmann Young Cotton Achiever of the Year Award acknowledges outstanding young people who are demonstrating leadership and commitment to the future of the Australian cotton industry.

It is named in memory of the late Chris Lehmann, one of the industry’s early consultants and a passionate supporter of young people in cotton.

“It is truly an honour to be named a finalist,” Aquilina said.

“Particularly alongside two other inspiring women who are making valuable contributions to our industry.

“Chris Lehmann left an incredible legacy within Australian cotton, and especially here in the Narrabri region.

2026 Young Cotton Achiever of the Year Award finalist Lauren Roellgen, cotton grower, Darling Downs, Queensland.

“He was a pioneer, an innovator and someone who was deeply committed to learning and helping others succeed.

“To be recognised through an award that carries his name is something I am very proud of.”

Aquilina supports growers and agronomists through her work in extension, research trials and industry service.

She says the diversity of the Namoi Valley and the people who shape it are what make her job so rewarding.

“What I love most about my role is the people,” she said.

“Every day I get to work with growers, agronomists and industry professionals who are passionate about what they do and are always looking for ways to improve, learn and contribute to their communities.

“The Namoi is such a diverse valley, which creates endless opportunities to learn. From Walgett to Blackville, I have the privilege of seeing a wide range of farming operations and working alongside people with different experiences and perspectives.

“I am incredibly grateful for how welcoming and supportive the cotton industry has been throughout my career.

“The Namoi Valley has a rich cotton history, and I feel fortunate to have been able to develop my skills and build my career in the heart of Australian cotton country.”

Alongside her work with CSD, Aquilina serves as treasurer of the Upper Namoi Cotton Growers Association and president of the Narrabri Ag Collective.

She has also supported industry events, including the 2026 Grower of the Year Field Day and the 2024 Australian Cotton Conference Committee.

Aquilina is a 2026 Australian Future Cotton Leader, and her contribution to the industry was most recently recognised when she was named the Upper Namoi CGA 2026 Young Achiever of the Year.

Aquilina’s dedication to community involvement is well known locally, and she says it has been a guiding principle throughout her career.

“Whenever I have moved to a new region or town, I have made a conscious effort to get involved in local groups and activities,” she said.

“It is one of the best ways to meet people, build relationships and feel connected to the community beyond your workplace.

“The Namoi Ag Collective was created with exactly that purpose in mind.

“A group of us identified a gap in the community and saw an opportunity to create a space where people could come together, network, share ideas and build meaningful connections.

“Narrabri is an incredibly vibrant and community-minded town, and we wanted to create something that would help strengthen those connections even further, particularly for people who are new to the region.

“While it is still early days, the committee has some exciting ideas for the future, but our core purpose will remain the same: bringing people together and helping people feel part of the wider community.”

For Aquilina, being named a finalist carries special significance because of the award’s namesake.

“I am inspired by Chris Lehmann’s story and the legacy he left behind,” she said.

“He was courageous enough to forge his own path as one of the region’s first private agronomists and had a genuine passion for learning, innovation and continuous improvement.

“What inspires me most about Chris’s story is his commitment to learning and sharing knowledge with others.

“Through establishing Cotton Consultants Australia, now Crop Consultants Australia, he created opportunities for people to come together, learn from one another and strengthen the industry as a whole.

“Rather than keeping knowledge to himself, he focused on building others up.

“Those values continue to shape the cotton industry today and are something I try to carry into my own work.

“I think that philosophy reflects the cotton industry at its best – it is innovative, collaborative and incredibly supportive.

“One of the things I value most about the industry is the willingness of people to share their knowledge and help others succeed.

2026 Young Cotton Achiever of the Year Award finalist Natalie Aquilina, Cotton Seed Distributors technical agronomist for Namoi Valley, Narrabri.

“I certainly would not be where I am today without the many growers, agronomists, mentors and colleagues who have supported me along the way.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have been given and for the people who have invested

their time and knowledge in helping me grow, both professionally and personally.”

While Aquilina is the local face among the finalists, the other two nominees bring impressive credentials.

Alexandria Doyle is a grower services representative with Louis Dreyfus Company, based in Emerald, Queensland, and president of the Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association.

Her contribution to the industry spans agronomy, grower engagement and community leadership, with a strong focus on strengthening cotton communities, encouraging participation from the next generation and supporting growers through practical advocacy and connection.

Doyle has also contributed through volunteer roles with Wincott and the Cotton Awards dinner committee, and is a 2021 graduate of the Australian Future Cotton Leaders Program.

Lauren Roellgen works full-time on her family’s farm “Tyunga” on the Darling Downs and has become a strong voice for the cotton industry and agriculture more broadly.

Alongside helping drive best practice on-farm, she serves as secretary of the Darling Downs Cotton Growers Association, chairs the Future Farmers Network board, and is deputy vice-chair of the RNA Future Directions Committee. She has helped deliver industry events, foster collaboration for young growers and advocate for the importance of leadership renewal, innovation and strong community connections across agriculture.

Roellgen was last year named the Darling Downs CGA’s Young Achiever of the Year and is currently a 2026 Australian Future Cotton Leader.

Cotton Australia chief executive officer Adam Kay said the award highlights the depth of talent, commitment and leadership emerging across the industry.

“The judging panel was humbled by the opportunity to engage with such a wonderful cross-section of applicants for this award,” he said.

“Natalie, Alexandria and Lauren are all highly capable young professionals who are already contributing through leadership, innovation, community involvement and a genuine commitment to the long-term success of our industry.

“They are excellent ambassadors for Australian cotton and very deserving finalists for this award.”

CRDC executive director Allan Williams said the award continues to recognise “people who are not just doing their jobs well but actively shaping the future of the cotton industry through leadership, innovation and a willingness to get involved”.

The winner of the Chris Lehmann award will be announced at the Australian Cotton Industry Awards Dinner on 6 August.