Dennis Chant

Dennis and his wife Jan currently operate a mixed farm called Warrina Park close to Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales. They originally purchased the passionfruit farm in 2004 and this was leased to a share farmer for 10 years.
They then made the permanent move to farming themselves four years ago.

Along with 2600 Sweetheart passionfruit vines there are Belted Galloway cattle and alpacas – a very unique combination!

Dennis’ professional career has included time spent in the aviation, maritime and tourism industries, both in Australia and internationally. Until his recent ‘retirement’ to full-time farmer, Dennis was a senior executive with the company that owns and operates multiple Queensland airports including Gold Coast, Longreach and Townsville. He has only recently given up his position on the World Governing Board of Airports Council International and as President of its Asia Pacific Region. He was also Chairman of Gold Coast Tourism and involved with both the successful bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the organising committee for the games themselves.

For Dennis, tractor work is absolute therapy after a lifetime spent working in offices and sitting in meetings, in fact, for the last 3-4 years farming has been his major hobby. And although they bought a motorhome with the intention of becoming grey nomads and seeing Australia, that doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon!