The Gallard Story
Farming is in our DNA
With over 200 years of family orchard history, the Gallard name has become synonymous with craftsmanship, innovation and integrity in horticulture. From early orchards in Ryde to Mangrove Mountain, Sunlands and now the Riverland, each generation has carried the legacy forward with vision and care, shaping the Gallard Group we know today and leaving us more excited than ever for what lies ahead.
of orchards prepared and redeveloped10,000+ ha
delivering contracting services + industry leading equipment import to Australian growers25+ years
of orchardists building onto the Gallard story7 generations
Seven generations later, the Gallard name is still built on the same foundations: soil-first farming, trusted craftsmanship, and a commitment to doing things right for the long term.
The Gallard Story Timeline
1808 — Our First Grower
Matthew Gallard is born in Southborough, Kent, England — a region known as “The Garden of England” for its orchards and hop fields.
1808-1830 — A Young Family Begins
Matthew marries Frances Ann Smith in London. Like many working-class families, they dream of new opportunities and fertile land.
1838 — A New Life in Australia
Matthew, Frances, and their children immigrate to Sydney, New South Wales, aboard the James Paterson as assisted settlers. They arrive in Ryde, on land traditionally cared for by the Wallumedegal people, and settle in what was then known as Field of Mars.
1840s-1870s — Pioneering Orchardists
Matthew’s sons, Frank and Edward Gallard, become early orchardists in the Ryde and Eastwood region. Edward is described as a “pioneer of the fruit-growing industry in Central Cumberland,” likely growing apples, peaches, plums, and pears alongside other early settlers. Edward assists Maria Ann Smith with the discovery of the now-famous Granny Smith apple and takes it to market.
1870 — A New Generation
Alfred Gallard, son of Frank, is born in Eastwood. He continues the family tradition, later moving operations to Peats Ridge, helping expand fruit growing into the Central Coast hinterland.
1903 — Establishing a Legacy
Alfred’s son, Frank Trevor Gallard, is born. He carries the family’s agricultural knowledge forward through the 20th century — adapting, modernising, and preserving the Gallard orcharding roots.
1932 — Trevor Gallard is Born
Trevor Roy Gallard (father of John Gallard) is born in Gosford. He grows up among the trees, tools, and tractors at Mangrove Mountain. The family’s orchards sustain multiple generations and weather world wars, droughts, and economic shifts.
1961 — A Bold Move to South Australia
Seeking better citrus-growing opportunities, Trevor purchases land in Sunlands, South Australia. He first considers Gayndah, QLD, but sees greater promise in the Riverland. To fund the development of the citrus orchard, Trevor grows tomatoes between the orange rows. He transports materials in his Bedford truck over from NSW after visiting his young family and picks up wine barrels from Renmarno, Renmark on his back load to Sydney. He plants and prepares the Sunlands orchard while the family remains in Gosford, before they join him later in 1963.
Mid-1970s — A Strategic Shift
Sunlands is thriving, but Trevor suspects high salinity in the area. He purchases Yarrunga Citrus (formerly part of Calperum Station), an existing 40-acre citrus orchard upstream near Renmark.
Late 1970s
Trevor experiments with tomatoes again. In 1976, his tomatoes return a bumper crop. In 1977, extremely frustrated with labour shortages, he tells 14-year-old John to disc in the tomato crop — a pivotal moment. That year, the tomato market plummets. People question how Trevor anticipated the shift, truthfully he had just had enough.
1970s–mid 1980s — Expansion & Development
Trevor continues planting and developing the Yarrunga site and purchases a second Renmark orchard. Developments + re-developments using tape measures, wire, and corner post markers — no surveyors involved.
1984 — Organisational Restructure
Trevor separates the business. Yarrunga is run by employees; the Renmark property is divided.
1989 — Bundaberg Bound
John and Alex move to Bundaberg to grow tomatoes. They farm small crops (tomatoes, zucchinis, rockmelons, sugar cane) for the next decade.
1989-1999 — Learning Years
Bundaberg teaches John how to be a grower: “You don’t get that experience unless you’re there” ~ 7 days a week, 24/7 ~ Dealt with pests, rain, and price fluctuations. They introduce colour vision graders to their packing shed — a major innovation. Introduce & raise their 3 beautiful sons Sam, Drew & Jack
1999 — Return to Renmark
John and Alex return to the Riverland with their three young boys.
2000 — Trevmac Begins
John and Alex reunite in Renmark and purchase Yarrunga. They rename it Trevmac Farms — honouring both John + Alex's Father's with the properties new name. John prioritises soil and tree health, working to rejuvenate the orchard.
2002 — Innovation Begins
Trevmac introduces a forestry mulcher and soon after, an Afron self-propelled pruner — laying the groundwork for a future in specialist agricultural contracting.
2003 — Contracting Takes Off
Gallard Contracting begins. John starts hedging and mulching services, mounting a hedger to a Volvo rigid truck. With help from Shaun (formerly of Rex Theil), they acquire additional machinery and begin building a name for themselves. Gallards become the Australian agents for Afron pruners.
2005 — A Legacy Farewelled
Trevor Roy Gallard passes away after battling Parkinson’s Disease. His legacy as a visionary citrus grower and pioneering figure in the Riverland lives on through his sons & grand-children.
2008-2010 — The Next Generation Joins
Sam Gallard begins working at Trevmac Farms in 2008. By 2010, he formally joins the contracting side of the business, learning the ropes from the ground up
To Be Continued.
With over 200 years of family orchard history, Gallard Grown is proudly seven generations strong — and growing for the eighth.