The Queensland Government has paid special tribute to the late Liz Alexander, an agtech trailblazer and our friend and former colleague at CHDC.

A bursary in Liz’s name was announced at this month’s evokeAG 2025, the Asia-Pacific region’s premier agrifood innovation event and held in Brisbane.

The bursary recognises Liz’s lasting contributions to agricultural innovation in Queensland and beyond.

She was instrumental in driving the growth of the State’s agtech ecosystem, playing a pivotal role in initiatives such as CHDC’s AgFrontier program, and i4Connect, and serving on multiple boards including Cotton Australia, Plant Health Australia, and QRIDA.

Liz passed away in July 2024.

More details about her time as CHDC’s inaugural Agribusiness Development Coordinator can be found here.

The bursary will cover the cost for an agtech leader to attend a future evokeAG forum.

“Liz Alexander was a true pioneer and a passionate advocate for Queensland’s agtech sector,” Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett told the evokeAG audience.

“Liz championed not only technology and innovation, but also the people behind them — the start-up founders, investors, and enablers working to supercharge the productivity and sustainability of our primary industries.

“This bursary is about recognising those who continue to lead in that space and drive meaningful change in Queensland’s primary industries.

“I look forward to seeing the next generation of agtech leaders emerge and continue the work that Liz so passionately championed.”

Sonya Comiskey, chair of the Agtech Advisory Group that works with the Department of Primary Industries to collaborate with farmers on agtech innovations, said Liz’s leadership, vision and dedication to fostering innovation in agriculture was second to none.

“Liz has left a legacy that continues to shape the industry today,” Ms Comiskey said.

“This bursary will honour her contributions and inspire future generations of agtech and regional leaders.”