About Us
What drives us
The ambition to establish a strong foothold in the lucrative truffle industry and ultimately lead Australia's truffle industry.However, ambition, desire and enthusiasm are not a measure of a business' goals and success but the people who share them.
Awarded PhD in plant signalling mechanisms at the University of Sheffield UK
As the Nursery Manager Rosemary is responsible for seed collection, germination and the production of truffle-bearing trees. She comes well qualified for this new venture as she worked with a company responsible for the introduction of the Paulownia tree into Western Australia from China. She gained extensive knowledge on propagation, site selection and managing the planting and growing of this introduced species. Under her guidance a major plantation (6,000 trees) was established in York in 1998.
Michaela has a multi-faceted background and brings horticultural skills not only to the nursery environment but with the establishment of the plantations her knowledge will prove invaluable with the soil improvement programs and planting programs. Her experience as a former IT project manager provides vital experience to her position of Project Manager responsible for data entry, R&D planning and reporting.
As the founder of T.A.S.T.E and the author of its strategy Kane brings 20 years of small business experience to the role of Managing Director. This experience translates into the many aspects of business knowledge required to establish system management practices, audit trails, accountability, business structure and the ability to design and establish an operations manual for both nursery protocols and distributor SOP's.
Our People
Dr Paul Thomas BSc (Hons) in Natural Environmental Sciences, at the University of Sheffield UK.Awarded PhD in plant signalling mechanisms at the University of Sheffield UK
(5* departmental RAE rating)
Published in peer reviewed journals.
Founded Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd in 2005.
Also co-founded GROW expeditions (Global Research On Wildlife) through Wild Expeditions Ltd, a company who offers real research training within established scientific projects and links to redbrick universities.
Number of TV, radio, newspaper, magazine and journal appearances discussing truffles, truffle cultivation as well as a range of other edible fungi. Regularly lectures and contributes to conferences.
Published in peer reviewed journals.
Founded Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd in 2005.
Also co-founded GROW expeditions (Global Research On Wildlife) through Wild Expeditions Ltd, a company who offers real research training within established scientific projects and links to redbrick universities.
Number of TV, radio, newspaper, magazine and journal appearances discussing truffles, truffle cultivation as well as a range of other edible fungi. Regularly lectures and contributes to conferences.
Paul provides scientific input into the production of truffle-bearing trees and is also responsible for the holistic horticultural protocols required to foster a successful commercial outcome. Although Paul and his company, Mycorrhizal Systems, is based in the UK, modern communications ensure frequent contact with Australia as well as periodic visits.
Rosemary Ryan Dip Applied Science (Ag)
As the Nursery Manager Rosemary is responsible for seed collection, germination and the production of truffle-bearing trees. She comes well qualified for this new venture as she worked with a company responsible for the introduction of the Paulownia tree into Western Australia from China. She gained extensive knowledge on propagation, site selection and managing the planting and growing of this introduced species. Under her guidance a major plantation (6,000 trees) was established in York in 1998.Rosemary was chief propagator for a medium sized wholesale nursery in Yorkshire, UK as well as Nursery Assistant for the Rare Tree Company in WA. Her nursery experience, particularly in the field of propagation, makes her suitably qualified to apply the protocols and IP passed on from Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd.
Michaela Coffey Dip Hort
Michaela has a multi-faceted background and brings horticultural skills not only to the nursery environment but with the establishment of the plantations her knowledge will prove invaluable with the soil improvement programs and planting programs. Her experience as a former IT project manager provides vital experience to her position of Project Manager responsible for data entry, R&D planning and reporting.
Kane Randle
As the founder of T.A.S.T.E and the author of its strategy Kane brings 20 years of small business experience to the role of Managing Director. This experience translates into the many aspects of business knowledge required to establish system management practices, audit trails, accountability, business structure and the ability to design and establish an operations manual for both nursery protocols and distributor SOP's.
It is his goal and passion to establish Australia as a prime producer and distributor of black truffles, but in a manner that equally benefits Australian farmers and landowners.
Catriona Jones BSc (Hons) in Ecology and Environmental Biology at the University of Lee
As Principal Ecologist for Mycorrhizal Systems Catriona assists with the ongoing research side of truffle cultivation and provides essential data analysis on root samples and microscopic imagery provided by TASTE.
In 2004 Damon Boorman & Sue Burlikowski began training and
deploying truffle dogs. They founded Black Solitaire Ventures in 2005. BSV was set
up to be an industry leader in the training and deployment of truffle
detection dogs.
Over the past 6 Australian truffle seasons they have proven that they are at the forefront of dog training and
deployment with regards to the truffle industry. Damon Boorman has an exemplary
dog-training background and was previously employed as the Training
Coordinator for the Western Australian branch of Australian Customs
Drug Detection Dog Unit. Australian Customs is widely acknowledged as a
world leader in detection dogs and gave Damon the foundation for this
very challenging discipline. We are very fortunate to have Damon available to train our dogs and handlers.
Our Consultants
Catriona Jones BSc (Hons) in Ecology and Environmental Biology at the University of Lee
As Principal Ecologist for Mycorrhizal Systems Catriona assists with the ongoing research side of truffle cultivation and provides essential data analysis on root samples and microscopic imagery provided by TASTE.
Damon Boorman
In 2004 Damon Boorman & Sue Burlikowski began training and
deploying truffle dogs. They founded Black Solitaire Ventures in 2005. BSV was set
up to be an industry leader in the training and deployment of truffle
detection dogs.
Over the past 6 Australian truffle seasons they have proven that they are at the forefront of dog training and
deployment with regards to the truffle industry. Damon Boorman has an exemplary
dog-training background and was previously employed as the Training
Coordinator for the Western Australian branch of Australian Customs
Drug Detection Dog Unit. Australian Customs is widely acknowledged as a
world leader in detection dogs and gave Damon the foundation for this
very challenging discipline. We are very fortunate to have Damon available to train our dogs and handlers.As testament to their success BSV’s dogs lay claim to locating over 2 tonnes of the prised black diamonds!! Also a single truffle weighing in excess of 1kg in 2005!!
Steve Poole B.Sc (Hort)