Gurneys Cider, located on the outskirts of Foster in South Gippsland, is currently undertaking an exciting and unique venture as the business continues to grow. The cidery is constructing a massive underground cellar to store their cider at a consistent temperature year-round. It will be the biggest underground cider cellar in the world when completed, stretching more than 30 metres. Not only breaking world records, what makes this project so special is that fact it will be built using recycled materials from the recently demolished Hazelwood Power Station towers down the road.
In May this year, the Gippsland skyline transformed with the demolition of the eight 137-metre-high Hazelwood towers. The coal-fired power station was originally built in the 1960s and shut down in 2017. This demolition was the beginning of the entire plant’s demolition process set to play out over the coming years. It was a momentous occasion for the region with power and energy such significant industries, and the towers such a landmark to locals.
The Gurnett Family, of Gurneys Cider, will bring these iconic towers back to life in an entirely different way. Over 300 tonnes of concrete and steel have been recycled from the demolition and will be installed into the new cellar.
This is a huge step for the family-owned and run business which opened in 2018. The team is innovative and unique in all aspects of their business. From the locally sourced timber found throughout the cellar door, to the truly unique Gippsland style of cider they aim to produce, and now this. We will be sure to keep an eye on its progress, and encourage you to as well, by liking their social media pages on the links below or even visiting the picturesque location of their orchard and cellar door overlooking Corner Inlet and the Wilson’s Promontory National Park.
Follow the progress of this exciting project on the Gurney Cider Facebook Page and check out the progress photos below.
Based in Leongatha, South Gippsland, M&S CNC Machining has forged itself a reputation of supplying high quality componentry in the specialised areas of electronics, wireless communications and analytical science to the domestic and international market.
Although utilising a robust quality management system regularly audited by our customers, the company saw a need to open new opportunities and upgrade to the International Manufacturing Std ISO9001 – 2015.
A detailed gap analysis on the existing system was carried out and subsequent ISO road map & time line created for Accreditation mid- late December 2020.
An ‘all on board’ approach was required and taken on by their staff, moving smoothly through 1 internal & 2 external audits which resulted in the time frame being reduced and Accreditation achieved 4 weeks ahead of plan.
The company advised that from the stage 2 auditors report there were zero minor non conformities and from what advice they have from their consultants is a glowing report on their processes.
M&S CNC now stands ready to discuss component & project needs with all those that have a mandatory ISO9001 requirement of their supplier base.
ZCG Scaler have installed radio solutions and antennas for the Australian Defence Force.
ZCG Scaler, experienced antenna producers based in Lindenow, East Gippsland, are currently employing additional staff to assist in another large-scale Australian Defence Force contract build.
The Gippsland manufacturer is fulfilling its fifth contract for supply of custom radio frequency (RF) solutions for counter remote control improvised explosive devices (RCIED) for L3Harris and the Department of Science and Technology.
By completion of this project, ZCG will have supplied troops on the frontline with more than 215,000 units for Counter IED applications. The Counter IED system has already successfully been installed in a wide range of military and transport vehicles utilised by both domestic and international troops.
Their growing team has achieved a two-week forward advancement on supply of the RF antennas following a recent request for expedited assembly and delivery due to COVID-19 restrictions.
ZCG’s partnership with the defence department is ever-expanding, and they continue to be proud to be a part of the work to ensure troops are at the forefront of protection in the modern battlefield.
Not only does ZCG do business with the defence force, but the Australian-owned business manufactures hundreds of different antenna models to suit a variety of RF communication and broadcasting requirements. The research and development of new products is an ongoing process and a priority for the company to ensure the most advanced products are on the market for all purposes.
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
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
