Having grown up on a Citrus farm in Mundubbera, Queensland I have Citrus coursing through my veins … 
I swear when I bleed it’s orange juice that spills forth (my parents made us drink that much of it as kids “It’s so good for you” I still hear my Mum saying).

But why I tell you this, is that I have very excitedly just been appointed the first EVER Australian  Ambassador for Citrus 2011 … Yipeeeeee!



I’d like to share with you how this happened, because there’s a message in it. 

It is my gut feeling that Australians don’t view citrus fruits in the divinely interesting light that I do … They are not only sweet and juicy and make a great lunchbox filler, but they are medicinal, they can be used as deodorisers, disinfectants and are extremely versatile; different parts zest, skin and flesh able to be used in a myriad of ways to inject a fresh, modern twist in today’s cooking.

I feel that the market is a little complacent about citrus fruits, and complacency breeds boredom. SO … To expel this myth, I contacted Citrus Australia last year and asked if I could speak at their annual conference which was held in Hervey Bay last October, 2011 … And speak I did; I drove with my Mum,  my car loaded with citrus-infused recipes to share and a floral arrangement as big as a tree full of bright, vibrant citrus fruits! 



I closed the conference, the last speaker of a 3-day conference (praying someone would turn up) … and they did “thankyou God!” all 275 of them, and by the end of my 1 hour, it was UNANIMOUS Citrus Australia needed some passion, it needed a voice to share the wonders of a Mandy Bruschetta, a Key Lime Pie and my delcious Orange Chicken, bathed in a sacue of orange juice and brown sugar … mmmm!

I am SO VERY PROUD to wear this badge of honour and invite you on my journey of what the first ever Citus Ambassador does. I want to learn, I want to visit the regions, meet the wholesalers, cook for the Board of Directors, cook for the growers at the Orange & Mandarin Festivals around the country and more than ANYTHING I want to share with you the wonders I discover of using and cooking with, this marvelous fruit we grow right here in Australia called, CITRUS!

MESSAGE = If you want to achieve something TAKE ACTION!