Ferial Zekiman, owner and founder of Maffra Cheese Co, finalist of Excellence in Food & Drink Manufacturing and Female Agribusiness Leader of the Year.
Food & Fibre Gippsland have announced 34 finalists for the 2020 Excellence in Agribusiness Awards. The Awards program received an outstanding 115 entries across Gippsland which was an overwhelming result considering COVID-19 has been a big distraction and upheaval for many agribusinesses.
Head Judge of the Awards program Paul Ford is impressed with the quality of entrants and subsequent finalists.
“All 115 applications are worthy and the three or four candidates we have shortlisted in each category have rich and diverse stories that showcase all that’s great about Gippsland’s vibrant $7 billion food & fibre sector.”
“The judging panel’s ongoing insight and effort to select winners of each category and develop these stories is deeply valued. The end result of sharing the stories with key stakeholders is to attract talented people to develop a career in the sector, attract new investment, position Gippsland food & fibre as a priority for the three levels of government, and to mobilise new innovations across the value chain.”
The competition adopts a two-tiered approach with three premier awards, KPMG Agribusiness of the Year, ARLF Young Agribusiness Leader of the Year, and Leadership Victoria Female Agribusiness Leader of the Year, followed by a range of twelve awards across the entire food and fibre industry.
All finalists have the chance to win the Agribusiness of the Year award – the prize is a scholarship to participate in KPMG’s Agri-Food Tech Traction Tour.
Excellence Awards Program Manager Kate Gunn is also pleased with the impressive lineup of finalists.
“This year we have managed to attract entrants from a terrific cross section of industry, size and location which is very important in promoting our region’s agribusinesses and truly celebrating Gippsland. I wish all finalists the best of luck in the next round of judging and look forward to sharing their stories in the lead up to the winners being announced” she said.
The second round of judging will commence online next week with the panel aiming to identify those with the strongest track record and who can present a clear strategy for the future of their agribusiness.
Food & Fibre Gippsland CEO, Nicola Pero, noted “Congratulations to all participants on the outstanding calibre of entries. This industry recognition program grows in strength every year and Food & Fibre Gippsland, together with all the partners, are proud these awards help profile the sector, business successes and provenance of our Gippsland region.” The winners will be announced at a high-profile industry Gala Presentation event scheduled for 20 November 2020. Work is underway on developing on-line and/or socially distanced event options for this presentation in preparation for changes driven by COVID restrictions.
2020 FINALISTS PER CATEGORY – Keep an eye on our website for the winners when they are announced soon!
| Australian Rural Leadership Foundation Young Agribusiness Leader of the Year Rob Bayley (Blackwood Piggery) Dave Caldwell (Coonmoor Pastoral Co) Victoria Green (Bacchus Beef) Ben Murphy (Tambo Valley Honey) | Leadership Victoria Female Agribusiness Leader of the Year Victoria Green (Bacchus Beef) Jill Noble (The Sheep Show Podcast) Gabrielle Moore (Sailors Grave Brewing) Ferial Zekiman (Maffra Cheese Co) |
| Agriculture Victoria Excellence in Service to the Food & Fibre Industry Vic Engineering & Silos, Maffra Warragul Farmers’ Market, Warragul Xcheque, Glen Alvie | Bass Coast Shire Council Excellence in Sustainability Flavorite Tomatoes, Warragul Mannys Market, Morwell Mulgowie Farming, Maffra Schreurs & Sons, Clyde |
| Baw Baw Shire Council Excellence in Workforce Capability Greenham Gippsland, Moe Jaydee – Cows Create Careers, Loch Victoria Valley Meats, Trafalgar | Commonwealth Bank Excellence in Entrepreneurship Berry Sensation, Shady Creek Burra Brewing, Korumburra Little Bumble Wraps, Warragul South Gippsland Dairy, Korumburra |
| Dyers Excellence in Food & Drink Manufacturing (large) Greenham Gippsland, Moe Maffra Cheese Co, Tinamba ViPlus Dairy, Toora | East Gippsland Shire Council Excellence in Fibre Industry Alberton Timber, Alberton Forge Creek Lambs, Eagle Point Just Add Trees, Buln Buln Radial Timber, Yarram |
| Federation University Excellence in Research & Development Berry Sensation, Shady Creek Schreurs & Sons, Clyde Soilkee, Hallora South Gippsland Dairy, Korumburra | Latrobe City Council Excellence in Food & Drink Manufacturing (small) Burra Brewing, Korumburra Gurney’s Cidery, Foster Sailors Grave Brewing, Orbost Tonemade, Inveloch |
| National Australia Bank Excellence in Innovation Alberton Timber, Alberton Berry Sensation, Shady Creek Gurney’s Cidery, Foster Soilkee, Hallora | South Gippsland Shire Council Excellence in Exporting Greenham Gippsland, Moe Hussey & Co, Newry Omnia, Morwell |
| TAFE Gippsland Excellence in Collaborative Partnerships Omnia, Morwell Sailors Grave Brewing, Orbost Snowy River Black Garlic, Jarrahmond Totally Renewable Phillip Island, Phillip Island | Wellington Shire Council Excellence in Adaption to Change Coonmoor Pastoral Co, Lindenow South Purely Goats Milk Soap, Nilma Schreurs & Sons, Clyde Victoria Valley Meats, Trafalgar |