Our Goulburn Valley by The Adviser

Our

G ulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region

A special 52 page gloss magazine

August 2015

$ .00 Incl. GST

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52 Pages of success in the Goulburn Valley Welcome to

Our Goulburn Valley - A Resourceful Rich Region

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A special magazine highlighting many success stories in our great Goulburn Valley region.

newspaper team.

Contents Greater Shepparton’s gross regional product hits $3.36B......................................Page 4 2015-2016 Greater Shepparton Major Events Calendar ..................................Page 5 Messages from the Prime Minister and Dignitaries....................................... Pages 6+7

Dairy Dairy farmers contribute $472M to local economy...........................................Page 8 Singh Sweets calls Shepparton home................Page 8 80 million reasons to smile ................................Page 9

Home Grown Largest pome fruit grower in the country calls the Food Bowl home .................................................Page 10 Nursery’s economic boost to the region ...........Page 10 Cropping success for local farmer ....................Page 11 New agricultural industry leads the way to ample opportunities...............................................Page 11 Helping the Goulburn Valley bloom ..................Page 12 Innovative centre improves the horticulture industry ......................................................Page 12

Front Cover

Livestock Smallgoods business helps put our city on the map .................................................Page 13 Livestock industry’s boost ................................Page 13 Three generations of sheep farming ................Page 13

Packaged Produce Bright future for SPC ......................................Page 14 Packaging solutions supporting the region .......Page 14 Local food manufacturer produces major domestic and international brands.....................................Page 15

Engineering cont. World leaders in LED lighting and electrical wiring harness innovation ......................................Page 20 50 years of manufacturing success .................Page 21 Relying on the Goulburn Valley’s engineers ......Page 24

Irrigation Rubicon Water leads the world in water technology ........................................Page 25 Resourceful corporation uses recycled water to boost agricultural industries...................................Page 26 The region’s most precious resource................Page 26

Beverages Cider success as production hits 60,000 litres .Page 16 Over 50 years of producing premium Goulburn Valley Wines ................................Page 16

Engineering Bright light for GV manufacturers in a transitioning economy ...........................Page 17 150 years leading the way in innovation ...........Page 18 Welcome distraction proves prosperous for local family.............................................Page 18 Custom metal designs sought nationwide ........Page 19 New technology plays a big role for local engineering business ...............................Page 20

Household Products Iconic household brands produced in Shepparton, distributed nationally ................Page 28 Designed in Shepparton cosmetic range goes national ..........................Page 28

Art & Culture Culture’s economic contribution to local economy ............................................Page 30 Art; the soul of the community .........................Page 30

Building Selling the foundations of our region’s future ....Page 31 Local construction firm celebrates 600th building ............................................Page 32 Hand-crafted cabinetry… ................................Page 34 Copulos family still calls Shepparton home .......Page 36

Furniture Shepparton-made furniture..............................Page 38 Raw passion for creating .................................Page 38

Transport Shepparton’s trucking industry .........................Page 40 Transport, the heartbeat of the Goulburn Valley .................................Page 40 Multi-million dollar economic impact .................Page 41 Keeping the wheels turning in the transport industry ......................................................Page 42 Moving with an ever changing industry .............Page 44 Innovative training brings 1000s to Shepparton .................................Page 46

Service Business advice vital for local industries............Page 48 Distributor makes Australia’s top 200...............Page 48 At the forefront of technology ..........................Page 50

ONE of the larger publishing projects The Adviser team has undertaken in recent years, is this magazine, which highlights many great achievements. It is simply amazing to see the sheer volume of incredible success stories going on right here in our enormously productive and successful region. Scratch the surface and you will find large and small local success stories, unfortunately too numerous to feature in this magazine. Enjoy this special 52 page keepsake publication, produced by The Adviser team.

The Shepparton Adviser - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - August 2015 Page 3

Our Goulburn Valley

Messages

A prosperous city and region still in the making WELCOME to this special 52 page keepsake publication Our Goulburn Valley – A Resourceful Rich Region magazine produced by The Adviser team. In a celebration of so many good things happening in Shepparton and the wider Goulburn Valley, The Adviser team believes it is vital to highlight some of the great success stories across a broad spectrum of businesses, industries and organisations throughout our productive region. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of great achievements, such as the dynamic Rubicon Water which has expanded into several countries and is exporting to China; Pental, an Australian publicly listed company which now has its entire manufacturing plant in Shepparton; leading engineering firms such as J Furphy & Sons, Trevaskis Engineering, JMR Engineering; fruit company, Geoffrey Thompson Orchards, who employ over 1000 people at the height of the fruit harvest, and our iconic and largest employer in the food processing space, a brand known throughout Australia and many parts of the world, SPC. The Visy group, founded by former Grahamvale student, the late Richard Pratt, continues to have a strong presence in the Goulburn Valley and is becoming a truly global business, particularly in the US and India. We have Unilever Tatura, the world’s only manufacturer

of Lipton Ice Tea out of 300 sites worldwide; the recently established and virtual overnight success story, Pactum Dairy, as well as Campbell’s Soups, who have been manufacturing in the Goulburn Valley since 1964. Our trucking industry conveys tens of millions of dollars into and out of the Goulburn Valley on a weekly basis, and Lucidity LED truck lights were invented and made for that industry right here in Shepparton. The Goulburn Valley trucking industry has a massive 25 percent share of the state’s trucking registrations. Top local truck firms such as Taig Bros founded in 1947, and Graham Thomson Motors who carries the strong Kenworth brand along with DECA and Kreskas Bros Transport are featured in our transport section. Also featured are property specialist, Kevin Hicks Real Estate and modular construction company, Neatline Homes. Local growth story, IK Caldwell, the highly successful quiet achievers in the farm broadacre, horticulture, cropping and agronomist space are also included in this special publication. Dairy and fruit are the Goulburn Valley’s largest agricultural businesses that generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue per annum in Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley. There are many smaller businesses carving out their own futures, such as Envisage Furniture, custom made

furniture manufacturers, Creative Wooden Ideas, furniture manufacturers who supply Harvey Norman stores throughout Australia; and the Too Many Chiefs Cider success story. A local family’s tragedy became a business success story by manufacturing trailers and canopies, Tip ‘N Go Trailers, and we cannot overlook the extraordinary story of Shepparton’s largest modern day philanthropists, the Copulos family, among just a few of so many good news stories in our region. Each and every one of us in the Goulburn Valley benefits in one way, shape or form from these businesses and the people behind them that are featured in this special publication. There are so many great things happening in our dynamic and innovative region, that we can merely scratch the surface of this amazing success story that is our resourceful and rich Goulburn Valley. I take this opportunity to thank The Adviser’s editorial team, David Lee, Sarah Knight, Alicia Niglia and Maddy Caccianiga, The Adviser’s production team, Mathieu Ryan, Stephanie Boyle, Cameron Bathman and Adele Vrantses, The Adviser’s advertising team, Will Adams, Melanie Spencer, Geoff Vallance, Bron Timothee and Rayelene Culhane, and The Adviser’s administration and distribution teams. Geoff Adams, Managing Director.

Greater Shepparton’s gross regional product hits $3.36B AN insight into Greater Shepparton’s economic profile provides an excellent growth story for the Goulburn Valley. The area’s role within the broader economy is enlightening and can be seen from the latest available Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.

Snapshot based on the latest available statistics. POPULATION: Greater Shepparton’s population is 63,269, an increase of 518 people (.83 percent) compared to the previous year. Victoria’s population is 5,841,667 and the nation’s population is 23,490,736. LOCAL JOBS: 30,352 Full-time equivalent (FTE) employment, Manufacturing is the largest employer, generating 3,297 FTE jobs. Manufacturing had the largest output by industry, generating $2.222B. Health Care and Social Assistance is the largest employer, based on total full-time, part-time and casual employment, generating 3,971 jobs. Retail Trade is among the top three employer categories at 3,508 people. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing employs 3,084 people. To give our readers an idea of the significance of the

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industry sector and its huge production of produce compared to many parts of Victoria, this represents 10.2 percent of total jobs compared to the state’s 2.2 percent. The Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industry has the largest number of total registered businesses in Greater Shepparton, comprising 22.9 percent of all total registered businesses, compared to 16.3 percent across Victoria. ECONOMY: Agriculture in Greater Shepparton, which includes milk, fruit, all cropping, vegetables and wool, to name most, experienced a dramatic increase from $487M in 2005/06 to $1.5B in 2012/13. The largest commodity produced was “milk,” which accounted for 31 percent (or $472M) of the Greater Shepparton’s total agricultural output in value terms, while the second largest commodity produced was “fruit and nuts (excluding grapes),” accounting for 23 percent of output. The two major standout growth areas of “fruit and nuts” has

Page 4 August 2015 - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - The Shepparton Adviser

been the growth in Apples with an increase per annum from $80.1M in 2005/06 to $137M in 2012/13, and pears from $58.1M to $89M in the same period per annum. This excellent growth for the Goulburn Valley looks like continuing. Construction had the highest local sales, generating $414M. The above statistics are just a snapshot of the Greater Shepparton area, there are many more that can be accessed via the Greater Shepparton website. The headline Gross Regional Product, a regional version of Gross National Product, is impressive at $3.36B per annum, bringing substantial wealth in many ways to the Greater Goulburn Valley. There are opportunities everywhere in Greater Shepparton, if you’re passionate, committed, and prepared to be bold and innovative.

SEP 2015

2015-2016 GREATER SHEPPARTON MAJOR EVENTS CALENDAR

OCT

10-13 Cycling Australia Junior Road Cycling Championship

2015 Tourism Month

10-13 2-8 GV RV Rally

17-18

National Cutting Horse Victorian Futurity Championships

BMX Victoria Pre Titles

5-6

Shepparton Heritage Rally

Shepparton Swap Meet

St Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rd Food Festival

For more information on events visit w w w. d i s c o v e r s h e p p a r t o n . c o m . a u

Disclaimer: this calendar is selected major events supported or held in event venues managed by the Tourism and Events team of Greater Shepparton City Council (current June 2015). Further events are still in bid and negotiation process. For the full listing of major events visit www.discovershepparton.com.au

NOV 2015

19-20 Kidsfest

JAN 2016

Victorian Welsh Horse Show

4-6

6 Australian Speedway National Series

Tennis Seniors Australian Teams Carnival and Australian Individual Championships

4-6

BMX Victoria State Championships

27-29

Tatura 200 Bike Ride

30-1 Victorian Arabian Horse Championships

10-22

20-22

Out in the Open Festival

27-28

Australian Greater International Football Shepparton PGA Golf Championships Masters

Victorian Teachers Games

2015

6-8

23-25

20-23

DEC

13-15 Challenge Triathlon

9-10 Shepparton Show

Spring Car Nationals

17-22

Greater Shepparton Junior Basketball Tournament

International Dairy Week

7-13

27-29

Victorian Open Bowls

World Cup Show Jumping

Shepparton Carols by Candlelight

New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve Festival

Australia Day Celebrations

Annual change in Estimated Resident Population +518

2014

+372

2013

+635

2012

+301

2011

+685

2010

+904

2009

+646

2008

+520

2007

+269

2006 2005

+81

Annual change in Shepparton CBD Vacancy Rates 15.24%

15.24% Feb 2013

15.86%

15.24% May 2013

12.44% Nov 2013

13.69%

12.52% Feb 2014

12.06%

10.82%

11.59%

10.36%

12.67%

Aug 2012

Nov 2012

Aug 2013

May 2014

Aug 2014

Nov 2014

Feb 2015

May 2015

The Shepparton Adviser - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - August 2015 Page 5

Our Goulburn Valley

Messages Prime Minister, Tony Abbott SHEPPARTON is at the centre of the vibrant Greater Shepparton region. Your region is the heart of food production in Australia. It has been growing and supplying high quality produce for our nation for more than 100 years. The ingenuity and innovation of local producers means your produce has been taken to all corners of the world. The government’s priorities are creating more jobs; easing the pressure on families; building roads and promoting more opportunity, particularly for Shepparton. The coalition understands that you cannot have strong and cohesive communities without strong economies to sustain them. Agriculture is at the heart of your region.

The Agriculture Competitiveness White Paper is our plan to make agriculture stronger. A strong agriculture sector contributes to a strong economy – and that means more jobs, more exports, higher incomes and better services to the community. As well, measures in this year’s budget including the instant asset write-off, immediate deductions for fencing, new water infrastructure and accelerated depreciation for farm fodder are providing a better business environment for farmers. And our new country-of-origin labelling rules will give consumers clearer, simpler information about where products come from. This will be good news for food producers in the region. Shepparton is a great city with a great future and I am confident the people and producers of Shepparton will be at the forefront of growth and innovation for many years to come.

Facts Over 2.5 million visitors are attracted to the region annually.

Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews THE Goulburn Valley region is critical to our economy and Victoria’s future. The local agri-food sector is renowned for producing world-class horticulture and dairy products. Much of our state’s prosperity has been built on the hard work of Goulburn Valley producers. To secure our future prosperity, we need to support the world’s deli and food basket on our doorstop. The Andrews Labor Government is strongly supporting food producers and processors in the Shepparton region, and across Victoria, by providing $18M in grants

through Food Source Victoria. We must also work together in a “paddock to plate” approach, using our strengths to meet the growing global demand for Victoria’s world-class produce. That’s why we’ve provided a further $2M in scholarships to help ambitious and innovative professionals in regional agri-food businesses to build the skills, knowledge and expertise they need to better compete in export markets. By doing these things together we will build capacity and boost exports – which means jobs and growth for our regional and rural communities. The Goulburn Valley’s best days lay ahead of it. With strong government support, we can secure the jobs of the future as Victorian produce takes on the world.

Federal Member for Murray, Hon. Dr Sharman Stone Our Goulburn Valley is important for Australia! The Goulburn Valley is the home of growing great fresh produce; we are still the “Food Bowl” of Australia, despite having to battle with the worst 10 year drought on record and then the worst floods, we are resilient. New food processing enterprises and agri-businesses have set up, creating new employment and exports. We nearly lost the last big all-Australian fruit processing plant SPC, but we won that battle too. SPC now has some fantastic new products, which are helping it grow through innovation. The Goulburn Valley is home to some of

Australia’s great wineries and now some fantastic boutique apple and pear ciders. Our region has a great opportunity to move forward through our agriculture sector with three new Free Trade Agreements that are opening up new export markets to producers across the area. We still have enormous challenges however, with the loss of over half of our irrigator’s water and the Victorian State Government’s decision to shut down half of our once great irrigation system. This is another big battle for our towns, our communities and our water users because our local jobs and prosperity depends on water access and at an affordable price. I commend The Adviser for creating this wonderful showcase of our great region. I am so proud and honoured to be the Federal Member for Murray.

Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell AS a long-time resident of the Goulburn Valley and a local Member of Parliament, I know how special our region is - and I want to see it continue to thrive. Our primary industries are some of the best in the world, and like many in our community I buy locally grown and made produce and products as much as possible. I meet with local industry often, and am privileged to hear and witness first-hand some of the remarkable achievements and local success stories. Over the next 10 to 15 years there is enormous opportunity for growth in the export markets for our region, with Asia’s consumer class projected to rise from 500 million today to more than three billion. With this increase in population comes increase in demand for high-quality food, particularly dairy, an area in which the Goulburn Valley excels. I am enormously proud of our agriculture, Page 6 August 2015 - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - The Shepparton Adviser

horticulture, dairy and manufacturing sectors, and will continue to strongly advocate for our specific regional issues in Parliament, to make sure our successes continue and our difficulties are overcome. Historically, I have fought hard to support our local industries, including securing the financial package to save SPC. I have advocated on many other issues, including water; fruit fly management; a procurement policy to prioritise locally-grown and manufactured products by government departments, and funding to continue the Shepparton CBD redevelopment and Goulburn Valley Industry and Infrastructure Fund. I congratulate the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry on their RENEW Shepparton campaign, which is already revitalising Shepparton’s CBD and unlocking the potential for many of our innovative home-based small businesses to move into retail premises and make our CBD a more vibrant place to be. I will continue to work hard for a brighter and stronger future for Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley.

Our Goulburn Valley

Messages Member for Shepparton District, Suzanna Sheed GSCC Mayor, Cr Dennis Patterson THE Goulburn Valley is rightly recognised and celebrated as Australia’s clean, green, food bowl. This region has seen enormous development and population growth brought about by access to water through irrigation, fertile land and the climate needed to enable agriculture, horticulture and other industries to flourish. Despite years of extreme weather the region’s powerhouses – horticulture, dairying, logistics and high-end manufacturing – continue to flourish. The region has one of the highest concentrations of food processing firms in rural Australia, being home to major companies including Simplot, Fonterra, Nestlé, Unilever, Murray Goulburn, Bega and of course SPC to highlight but a few. We are also home to significant transport warehousing and packing firms including Visy Logistics, Amcor, Keating’s Transport and Kreskas

Bros Transport. There are many other smaller and innovative businesses that provide vital service and support to our major industries. While it’s important to reflect on the successes, we must also look to the future. Investment in research and development, technology and innovation will be crucial for local agribusiness to take advantage of growth opportunities in international markets. We need to be connected to Melbourne and the world through modern infrastructure and supported by a thriving and educated community that celebrates our rich culture and diversity. In my role as Independent Member for Shepparton in the Victorian Parliament I will continue to lobby for investment in major infrastructure including a Shepparton bypass. I congratulate The Adviser for this feature celebrating our rich, resourceful region. May we continue to develop and grow, welcoming new opportunities and building on key strengths.

GREATER Shepparton has an enviable reputation as an urban centre for central Victoria and a strong retail, industrial and services hub. There is no doubt our long history of agriculture and food production has contributed to making our region resourceful and innovative. We have an established manufacturing sector with large companies such as SPC, Tatura Milk, Campbell’s, Pental, Pactum Dairy and Unilever, calling Greater Shepparton home. Our thriving food production industry generates 25 percent of the total value of Victoria’s agricultural production which contributes $900M in production annually and $1.53B in exports. When you consider our extensive road transport industry, affordable residential and commercial real estate and a high standard of

telecommunications and IT infrastructure it is no surprise that industry and business have been able to grow and thrive in our region. We also have facilities that support business and industry and the people they employ such as great health, leisure and arts facilities, education facilities and recognition as a regional sporting capital, hosting many regional, state, national and international major sporting events. Greater Shepparton City Council supports local business and industry and is actively working to secure more enterprises with initiatives such as the Shepparton Business Centre, Shepparton Show Me, GV Link, and the recent re-zoning of land for industrial development in Tatura and east Shepparton. Council will continue to work with groups such as the Committee for Greater Shepparton to lobby governments for improved freight rail links and funding for the Shepparton Bypass of the Goulburn Valley Highway. Greater Shepparton’s future is great, we hope to see you there with us.

Committee for Greater Shepparton CEO, Matt Nelson Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry THE importance of innovation to the Goulburn Valley cannot be understated. For many years, our region was the envy of others especially in relation to the investment in agriculture and valueadding enterprises. We grew clean green produce, processed food products and exported to global markets. The last 15 years has seen other countries not only catch up but in some cases overtake us and this combined with economic and climatic fluctuations has resulted is some major challenges to the economy and food based companies. These challenges highlight the importance of innovation to boost regional productivity and profitability of enterprises. In recent time we have witnessed a variety of activities such as the Murray Dairy

Accelerating Change project, which aims to take innovative research and apply it on-farm. We have seen new investments in the food processing space react to new market opportunities such as Pactum Dairy while SPC have a new blueprint to differentiate their product offering. The Greater Shepparton Lighthouse project is another example where we have taken learnings from around the world, modified it relevant to Shepparton to ensure we take a cradle-to-career approach with our community. The recent alliance between the secondary schools looks to better ‘join the dots,’ with industry to ensure career pathways for our children. The Committee for Greater Shepparton has been established to influence public policy and advocate on issues and priority initiatives that will help strengthen the economy and make the region a more vibrant place to live.

SPORTING, educating and facilitating a healthy, vibrant business community since the 1920s, the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry has a rich history of representing and sustaining local commerce. 2015 has been a big year for the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the launch of the Renew project, the 20th annual business awards, a busy events calendar and the strategic growth of our member services and representation. The Renew Shepparton project was officially launched in June – as a joint initiative between Chamber, Greater Shepparton City Council, Shepparton Show Me and the Committee for Greater Shepparton – in order to foster creative enterprise in the vacant retail spaces around our CBD and reinvigorate Shepparton’s streetscape and economy. Less than two months into the project, and there are four pop-up shops with their doors open in town with an exciting list of prospective businesses ready as soon as landlords with

disused buildings can be found to house them on 30-day rolling lease agreements. Among its ever growing and ever changing work, the chamber also runs the annual business awards. Accepting nominations from businesses and the public, the awards, with the support of sponsors, recognise and celebrate excellence across a variety of categories from best apprentice to best customer service to best marketing campaign. These projects, both the big and the small, are essential to the success and cohesion of our local business, industry and economy. Commercial premises vacancy rates in the CBD are down almost 5 percent since 2012. And, as we start to recover from the blows of the drought, the Global Financial Crisis, negative media attention and questions over the future of local manufacturing and processing, there is a definitive feeling of resilience and optimism in our marketplace. We’re looking forward to a bright future, why not be a part of it?

The Shepparton Adviser - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - August 2015 Page 7

Our Goulburn Valley

Dairy

IN 2012–13, milk contributed 31 percent to the value of agricultural production in the region, which really shows the importance of the dairy industry in Our Goulburn Valley.

Dairy farmers contribute $472M to local economy DAIRY’S ECONOMY BOOST… The dairy industry in the Goulburn Valley is one of the biggest economy boosting industries in the region, contributing approximately $472M to the local economy. Photo: Supplied.

AS one of the largest and most economically beneficial industries of the Goulburn Valley, the dairy industry contributes approximately $472M to the local economy annually, with hundreds of dairy farmers working hard to meet the increasing demand for milk products. As a third generation, local 24 year old Dairy Farmer, Luke Minogue and his father are continuing his grandfather’s dairy farming legacy, which began in the 1950s, today milking 280 cows at peak and producing between 1.9

– 2 million litres, or $800,000, of milk annually. The family once supplied their milk to Bonlac, but now provides their premium product to local business Tatura Milk/Bega, who provide products worldwide. Luke said, “While the industry is an ageing industry, I see great opportunity, such as the fact there is always going to be the need for milk and dairy products. “It’s actually mind boggling to see the scale and population numbers in China, who are

ever increasing their demand for our Australian made, premium dairy products. “I like the structure of dairy in that you do have cash flow coming in. “The dairy industry is one of the most important sectors in the Goulburn Valley and the local farmers here know the industry and know how to produce among the most premium quality product that can be found anywhere in the world.”

Singh Sweets calls Shepparton home Demand for locally produced sweets increases by 400 percent to distribute nationwide, but we won’t be moving away from Shepparton, we will always create our sweets in Shepparton – because it is the perfect location to source our milk. I think it is important to use the produce from the region where you live, to support local producers.” “But we will definitely need a bigger place, to accommodate the business’s growth. We have ordered some machines from India, to roll the sweets for us, so we can increase our production.” Gurpreet said he had also seen a demand in the local market for the sweets, and is

IN DEMAND… From left, Business Partners, Gurpreet Singh and Bhupinder Singh. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

IN just 12 months, Shepparton’s traditional Indian sweets producer; Singh Sweets and Snacks have increased their production from using 200 litres of milk per week, to a whopping 1,000 litres per week, producing up to 500kg of their popular, flavoursome sweets. The Macintosh Street store opened in January last year; after Business Partner, Gurpreet Singh received a visit from a friend who worked in the sweets industry back in India. Gurpreet said, “Bhupinder came to visit and he taught me how to make the sweets; which are mostly made up of milk and sugar and we decided to become business

Page 8 August 2015 - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - The Shepparton Adviser

partners. “I made some sweets to take to temple, packed them all into small boxes with our business card, and handed them out to the community. People really enjoyed them and the orders started coming in.” Singh Sweets and Snacks now produce 25 different lines of the sweets, with all products produced from local, Goulburn Valley sourced milk. Consumers across Melbourne and Canberra are now queuing to snap up the snacks, with 90 percent of the sweets that Singh Sweets and Snacks produces being distributed outside of the Goulburn Valley. Gurpreet says, “We definitely intend

I think it is important to use the produce from the region where you live, to support local producers.” now looking at expanding to markets in Sydney and Adelaide, as well as opening a store in Melbourne in the coming 12 months. Singh Sweets and Snacks is another successful, innovative business that proudly calls the Goulburn Valley home.

Our Goulburn Valley

Dairy

80 million reasons to smile ONE of the biggest things to happen to the region in 2014 was the construction of the $67M Pactum Dairy factory, which today produces 80 million litres of milk products annually. With all of their milk sourced from local dairy farmers, Pactum’ turns the milk into long life dairy products including flavoured milks for both the domestic market and for export including children’s drinks for China in 1L, 330ml, 250ml or 200ml sizing.

Australian Consolidated Milk/Pactum are proud to be supporting the region and utilising the region’s industries to produce, import and export our products. As well as utilising local produce to make their product, Pactum’ are supported by local milk tankers who collect the milk from the farmers and once the product has been produced, Kreskas Bros Transport cart the product in containers to the Port of Melbourne and Leocata’s Transport moves the products to the domestic market. Australian Consolidated Milk Director,

Number of farms in the Shepparton region 2012 - 2013 Research results by industry

SUPPORTING LOCAL DAIRY INDUSTRY… Australian Consolidated Milk Director, John Hommes. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

Michael Auld said, “Currently we provide 50 percent of our product domestically and 50 percent to China and South East Asia. “Looking forward, we are looking to expand on the exporting of the products we produce. We see the middle class of Asia growing

Vegetable

43 farms

and these products will be able to fulfil those requirements. “Australian Consolidated Milk/Pactum are proud to be supporting the region and utilising the region’s industries to produce, import and export our products.”

Mixed Livestock

59 farms

Other

Dairy

11% 360 farms

31%

Other Crop Growing

103 farms

1,033 farms Other Livestock

172 farms

Beef Cattle

18% 597 farms

Fruit & Nuts

Grain Growing 303 farms

303 farms

Mixed Grains & Livestock

187 farms Sheep

6% 199 farms

The Shepparton Adviser - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - August 2015 Page 9

Our Goulburn Valley

Home Grown

WHEN we think of Our Goulburn Valley, more often than not we think of it being the ‘Food Bowl’ of Victoria. In 2012–13, the gross value of agricultural production in the Shepparton region was $1.5B, with fruit and nut (excluding grape) production accounting for 23 percent ($350M), with the major crops being apples ($137M), pears (including nashi pears, $89M) and peaches ($41M).

Largest pome fruit grower in the country calls the Food Bowl home BUILT on the export of Victorian fruit to international markets, family operated; Geoffrey Thompson Orchards now distributes domestically through major supermarket chains, Coles, Aldi and Woolworths as well as exporting to New Zealand and South East Asia. Founded by Geoffrey Thompson in 1949, the Shepparton based company is comprised of seven orchards, six coolstores and the Wheeler Street processing and packaging facility. Geoffrey Thompson Orchards acquired their first orchard in Harcourt, near Bendigo back in 1950, the second orchard, in Zeerust came in 1995 and 2002 saw the acquisitions of the business’s third and fourth orchards. As time went on, below average annual rainfall began to severely affect orchardists across the region and the business seized the

opportunity to further expand their investments, purchasing an additional three orchard sites, first at Coomboona, then Ardmona and finally Merrigum. The company now owns and operates 730 hectares of apple and pear orchards, growing six varieties of apples and three varieties of pears, making it the largest pome fruit grower in Australia. A major contributor to employment in the Goulburn Valley, the organisation now employs approximately 600 full time equivalents, with that number increasing to over 1000 during the peak harvesting period. Geoffrey Thompson Orchards Director, Peter Thompson said of the business’s view for the future, “Our recent focus has been to digest our rapid growth. The orchards we bought during the drought, so have taken a lot

MAJOR PLAYER… Geoffrey Thompson Orchards Director, Peter Thompson is proud of his Shepparton-based family business and the iconic JEFTOMSON brand. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

of work to get them where we want them. Our primary objective is to provide the market with a consistent, quality product. “With competitors such as Chile and South Africa able to provide such low production costs, we are consistently forced to try to increase our productivity and efficiency.”

Geoffrey Thompson had a vision to build a successful international, export business and that he certainly did; now driven by sons Geoff and Peter, the business is reaping the rewards of efforts sewn over the past six decades, another tremendous success story from our resourceful, rich region.

PROPAGATING SUCCESS… Billabong Garden Complex Supported Employee, Ben Devening helps with the propagation of plants that the nursery provides across the state and interstate. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

Nursery’s economic boost to the region The therapeutic benefits of horticulture are numerous GROWING doesn’t just have to be about fruit and crops, in fact in 2010-11 more than $2.66M of nursery and cut ﬂowers was propagated from the region. Billabong Garden Complex began propagating more than 20 years ago, but started simply as a small, day operation for ConnectGV clients as a therapeutic option, but today, they propagate well over 150,000 six inch pots a year. The plants, which are sent as far as Swan Hill and Echuca as well as interstate to areas

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including Finley, are used for a wide variety of purposes and are even contracted to be grown for local government including the Moira Shire Council, Campaspe Shire Council and Strathbogie Shire Council and businesses including landscapers and builders, other nurseries, schools and nursing homes locally and in surrounding regions. Billabong Garden Complex Nursery Manager, Tracy Lamont said, “The therapeutic benefits of horticulture are numerous, which is why this business is so beneficial to our Supported Employees. “Billabong Garden Complex is an Australian Disability Enterprise. “We are proud to be growing and supplying products to the region and beyond”

Our Goulburn Valley

Home Grown

BUMPER CROPS EXPORTED WORLDWIDE… From left, Tony Kelly from AdvancedAg in Shepparton and Caniambo Farmer, Trevor Stedman. Photo: Supplied.

Cropping success for local farmer WITH the success of canola crops of the region, which saw $9,633,852 produced from the Goulburn Valley region in 2010/11, local farmers are starting to turn their attention to monola. Shepparton district Farmer, Trevor Stedman has sown 200 hectares of monola this season, following his success with 25 hectares of the crop in 2013. The Caniambo farmer has been growing canola for 20 years and with

a majority of his canola crops being successfully exported, but monola is capturing his attention because of its attractive gross margins. Mr Stedman grows around 1,200 hectares of wheat and 600 hectares of canola each year and runs a handful of sheep. For farmers like Trevor Stedman, monola is proving to be a lucrative alternative to canola, while it is much the same to grow as canola. “Last season’s crop of monola 413TT performed well, averaging 2.4 t/ha and comparing quite well with canola crops of Gem and a new Triazine Tolerant hybrid. “Last year’s monola was sown dry at the end of April and germinated three weeks later after the break arrived. “While the crop grew slightly shorter than the canola, it was windrowed and harvested before the grain was delivered to Numurkah. “With the bonus payments for monola, it makes it quite worthwhile.” After first hearing about monola, Trevor was encouraged to try the crop by Agronomist with AdvancedAg in Shepparton, Tony Kelly. “I’d recommend monola to other growers because it is no different from canola to grow but can deliver a better gross margin. “Trevor’s confidence in monola came from two seasons of large-scale trials where monola was grown side by side with canola. “As a result of yield mapping, other data and varietal improvements, we are pleased to see Trevor growing a larger area of monola this season.”

New agricultural industry leads the way to ample opportunities LOCAL investors have made a significant impact on the local agricultural industry, producing four innovative new products. Established by a group of friends who share a passion for pomegranates; Pomlife is perhaps the greatest kept secret in the Goulburn Valley. The group of enthusiastic investors started planting pomegranate trees on their 100 hectare orchard just outside of Mooroopna in 2008. The ancient fruit, originally from Persia is now widely grown around the world, but rarely seen farmed in Australia. The farm employs 10 permanent staff and during the peak harvest period that number rises to around 70. The innovation continues well beyond the harvesting of premium fresh fruit from the orchard, PomLife now sell a range of pomegranate products including; pre-packaged frozen and fresh arils (extracted seeds), fresh juice and a sparkling pomegranate wine. All processing of the fruit products as well as the

bottling is done in the Goulburn Valley. PomLife General Manager, Joshua Reuveni says, “For decades people have been using all parts of the fruit, the peel is full of antioxidants and many farmers give it to their cows to significantly improve the quality of the milk produced. It is also used in anti cancer medication and the precious aril oil is often extracted form the seeds and used in cosmetics. “We are certain the industry will only grow in Australia. For that reason we have ambitions to build a local research centre where we can share our knowledge and use it to help other farmers. “The market demands high quality, locally grown fruit, our objective is to continue and supply the market as the awareness for the fruit continues to grow.” The PomLife commitment is to innovate and develop a range of pomegranate products that deliver the amazing health benefits of this fruit not only Australians, but to international markets as well.

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Our Goulburn Valley

Home Grown

Innovative Helping the Goulburn Valley bloom centre improves

FRESH IS BEST… OzPac Owner, Rocky Varapodio and former owner, Santo Varapodio, who provide the region, Australia and South East Asia with fresh apples, pears, apricots, plums, peaches and nectarines. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

WITH statistics revealing that approximately $440M of fruit comes out of the Goulburn Valley each year, it is no surprise that alongside the dairy industry, our region’s orchardists have helped to make the Goulburn Valley bloom. Hundreds of growers around the region not only produce fresh fruit for the people of the Goulburn Valley, but also play an important role in the vast numbers of exportation of fresh produce including apples, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums and pears outside of the region and, in some cases, internationally. The local Varapodio family have been doing just this since Rocco Varapodio emigrated from Italy and

started his own market garden in 1937, and the family have continued to grow the business and find innovative ways to improve production and quality, today processing over 10,000 tonnes of fruit each year. The orchardists’ 220 hectares of orchards see the production of many different varieties of apples, pears, apricots, plums, peaches and nectarines and during peak season the operations require 260 staff to ensure a smooth production of the business’ produce. Current Owner, Rocky Varapodio said, “This region was built on the fruit and dairy industries, but a big part of it has been the fruit. “We’re proud to have been a part of the fruit industry in the region and to have been a part of the reason that Greater Shepparton is now referred to as the food bowl of Australia. “We not only supply some of our product to SPC locally but we also provide to domestic markets including Coles, Woolworths and wholesale markets in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, as well as supplying our products to South East Asia. We are continually trying to increase the export part of the business. “We’re very big on innovation and keeping up with the latest technology to increase efficiencies and to ensure that our products, which are among the best quality fruit in the world, are provided to communities across the world. “In keeping with our need to be innovative, we recently installed a 100kW solar system to reduce our energy consumption and more importantly, the demand charge.”

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the horticulture industry

WITH SPC making the decision to cut back its fruit intake in 2013, many organisations or agencies around the region flipped their innovation switch to help save the food bowl of Australia. The Victorian Government was a part of the innovative changes that flowed through the region during the troubling times and the Horticulture Centre of Excellence was born. Since launching in October 2014, the centre has had participation with over 500 horticulture industry personnel from growers/ consolidators to service providers from across the state and commodity groups such as grapes, almonds, potatoes, apples, pears and stonefruit. The centre features specialised laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment for targeted research into improved fruit quality, more efficient production systems and pest and disease control, and through its statewide developed programs and projects the centre helps to support a more productive, skilled and profitable horticulture sector. Horticulture Centre of Excellence Industry Development Manager, Aimee McCutcheon said, “Originating from the Goulburn Valley Fruit Growing Industry Roadmap, which after extensive stakeholder consultation developed a vision for the fruit growing industry in the Goulburn Valley for the next 15 years, and developed strategic actions for government, industry and individual businesses to achieve the vision with clear responsibilities and timelines. “The Horticulture Centre of Excellence was one such action.”

Livestock and animal related products produced in the Goulburn Valley are valued at more than $60M, which is just over 11 percent of our total agricultural value. From anything sheep, cattle, pig, poultry and goat related to producing smallgoods that are sent country wide, Our Goulburn Valley truly is a region rich in resources.

Three Smallgoods help put Shepparton on the map generations A PASSION for premium quality and a long history of producing exceptional, traditional European smallgoods has seen local specialty butcher; Krueger’s Fine Meats and Smallgoods’ products become highly sought after by the gourmet traveller. Whether it be the local ‘foodie’ or those travelling through the high country’s gourmet food and wine region; the word is spreading that if you’re after traditional, authentic, homemade flavours – you’ll find them in Krugers’ premium products. Business Owner, Martin Krueger first began his trade in Europe, where he says that, “Traditional style smallgoods are just a way of life, you find them at most butchers.” Since he and partner Emma opened the doors in Shepparton back in 2007, the business has experienced substantial growth, largely due to the pride they both take in what they do. Martin said, “We’re always looking to create new products; more traditional styled products though, recipes with deep, rich flours – provincially styled.” “We proudly source all of our meats from Victorian producers, cooking and smoking all of the specialty meats on the premises. “Our meats are as fresh as we can get them - why would you go anywhere else when the local produce here is so good?” Krueger’s Fine Meats’ prepare beautiful

of sheep farming

SOUGHT AFTER SMALLGOODS… Krueger’s Fine Meats and Smallgoods Business Owners, Emma and Martin Krueger. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

homemade kranskys, frankfurts, kabanas, and smoky chicken breasts as well as cold-cuts like devon, ham and strasburg; and even black pudding. Their products are now highly sought after throughout regional Victoria, particularly throughout the premium food and wine districts – another small business success story from the Goulburn Valley.

Livestock industry’s boost THE livestock processing industry in the Goulburn Valley provides a strong economic boost to the region, with sheep and lamb, cattle and calve, pig, poultry and goat farmers seeing almost $70M produced from the region each year. But it’s local plants such as the Tatura Abattoir, who process the livestock, that help to offer efficiencies to the local industry.

Operating for more than 30 years, and employing 200 people at present, the Tatura Abattoir source their lambs locally as well as from across the country, and produce 10,000 units of product per week that is distributed across the country to major supermarket chains and butcher shops.

Our Goulburn Valley

Livestock

LIVESTOCK; REGION’S LIVELIHOOD… From left, Sheep Farmers, Dave McLean, his dad, Bob and brother, Andrew. Photo: Melanie Spencer.

LOCAL Sheep Farmer, Bob McLean grew up on the farm he and his wife Nola still live on today. In 1937, after leaving the Mallee, Bob’s father purchased land in Moora and started running sheep on the 700 acre property. As Bob grew up he helped his dad on the family farm, but when he left school he worked for the first six years as a wool classer. In 1974, Bob purchased his parents farm and bred sheep, diversifying into livestock transport to local markets to supplement the farm’s income, and over the years, the transport sector of the business grew, leading Bob to purchase bigger trucks, kickstarting interstate transport as well as local. After completing a farm apprenticeship, Bob’s eldest son, Andrew, joined the family on the farm and soon after, started working full-time where he concentrated on breeding 1st class lambs and Merino wethers for their wool, which is sold locally to AAA Wool Buyers. Andrew, along with his dad, also takes care of cropping on the farm to improve pastures under clover and lucerne. In 1998, Bob’s youngest son, Dave joined his dad in livestock and grain transport. Forming his own company in 2005, Dave works alongside his dad, transporting between 20 and 1,500 head of stock all over Australia including to remote outback towns, accruing many loyal customers over the years, some of which being the second generation of Bob’s original clients. Bob said, “Between the three of us, we now own two and a half thousand acres, but the best part is, I have the privilege to work with both my sons.”

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Our Goulburn Valley

Packaged Produce

FROM our dairy industry to our fruit industry and recycling organisations, businesses that are only found in Our Goulburn Valley utilise everything at their disposal to create some of the best packaged products found across the world.

Packaging solutions supporting the region A SHEPPARTON INSTITUTION… SPC Managing Director, Reg Weine recently announced the successful delivery of the first stage of $100 million co-investment from parent company Coca-Cola Amatil and the Victorian Government. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

Bright future for SPC WITH a strong commitment to Australian grown and made foods, one iconic local manufacturer is staying the course in the Goulburn Valley, investing in the future of our region. SPC has had well documented challenges in recent times, enduring conditions which were described at the time as the ‘perfect storm’. However with a $100 million co-investment from parent company Coca-Cola Amatil and the Victorian Government, the company has strong plans in place, innovative products, and a future that looks bright. In May this year, the company proudly announced the successful delivery of the first stage of its $100 million investment program – a new high-speed snack line, designed to dramatically improve production capability with a new, improved and more gentle cooking process, that also produces a higher quality product. The next major infrastructure project in the $100m program is a state-of-the-art tomato processing line at the Shepparton facility, which promises higher capacity, greater production

and increased energy efficiency. The line is due for delivery for the 2016 tomato season. SPC prides itself on its local heritage and status, and says it is extremely proud of its roots in the Goulburn Valley. One of the most important relationships it maintains is with the growers who provide the company’s core ingredients. Managing Director Reg Weine said, “As far as I’m concerned SPC is one big family and our growers are a very important part of that family, they provide SPC with some of Australia’s best produce.” SPC’s growers recently featured on SPC’s #MyFamilyCan campaign, which showcased Goulburn Valley orchardists and their families on its SPC, Ardmona and Goulburn Valley branded products. The campaign was recognised at the recent APMA (Australian Promotional Marketing Association) Star Awards, which honours the best of experiential and promotional marketing. SPC proudly won all four categories for which it was nominated and took out the Grand Prix; ‘Best on Ground’, across all categories.

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Mr Weine said, “We are very proud to be recognised for this campaign, which is particularly close to our hearts.” Residents of the Goulburn Valley have grown up with the local cannery and being a Shepparton institution since 1918, the company has always supported the community through employment and direct-from-farm purchasing. While canned products are historically important and significant for SPC, today the business also manufactures pouches, plastic, glass jars, Bag in Box (Perfect Fruit mix and tomatoes) and snack cups. SPC’s strong sense of ‘pride of place’ has seen a consistent investment in the community over the years; from long term sponsorship of the Kidstown facility to working with not-forprofits like Foodbank and Aussie Care; last year alone, SPC donated 83,164kg of product to Foodbank Victoria, enough product to support 166,324 meals. In 2015, SPC proudly continues to support the Goulburn Valley Community, which they believe is the lifeblood of their organisation.

REGION’S PACKAGING SOLUTIONS… Visy in Shepparton offers many of the region’s businesses packaging solutions, such as Unilever, Heinz, SPC, Nestlé, Bega and Murray Goulburn. Photo: Supplied.

INNOVATION is at the heart of the Goulburn Valley and one important aspect to a range of the industries across the region is the need for packaging and logistics solutions. Visy has had a rich history with the Goulburn Valley, with the Pratt Family starting its business from the region in the 1950s. Today, Visy employs over 200 people in the region and continues to maintain a strong presence in the Goulburn Valley through its manufacturing, product supply and logistics businesses that helps to support the likes of local produce growers to Unilever, Heinz, SPC, Nestlé, Bega and Murray Goulburn.

Our Goulburn Valley

Packaged Produce

Local food manufacturer produces major domestic and international brands IN addition to being the world’s largest soup manufacturer, one Goulburn Valley manufacturer is also a leading producer of V8 juices, and 100% Real Stock. Campbell’s first entered the Australian market in 1961, through the acquisition of the Kia-Ora business, opening the Shepparton manufacturing facility in 1964. The Shepparton site was chosen for five main reasons; a surplus supply of water, an abundant source of local labour, the location being in the centre of a large tomato growing area – a key ingredient that the company required in large quantities and a site which was adjacent to suitable rail facilities, with sufficient land available to accommodate the agricultural research establishment and the plant building.

We pride ourselves on producing high quality, freshly made products with fresh vegetables and meat sourced locally in Victoria and across Australia. The diverse manufacturing facility has certainly changed a lot since it was first established and today, the state-of-the-art processing plant produces over 56 million kilograms worth of product and consists of an astonishing seven kitchens in one, creating soups, stocks and juices for not only the Australian market, but also exporting to New Zealand, and a range of other countries. Plant Manager, Gabrielle Westlake has spent the past 10 years at Campbell’s Shepparton and says she loves having made the choice to live and work regionally, “We have a really solid community here, the staff are passionate about the products they produce and there’s a real sense of pride that we are still able to claim Australian Made status. “We pride ourselves on producing high quality, freshly made products with fresh vegetables and meat sourced locally in Victoria and across Australia. “The industry is always changing, so for us as a company, our primary objectives are to stay on track with consumer trends, we’re always looking to introduce new, more convenient packaging in a variety of new package sizes, to meet the needs in the market.” The company provides ongoing support and donations to a number of charities including Camp Quality and Foodbank.

Facts Agricultural land in the Shepparton area occupies 9,000 square kilometres, or 83 percent of the Goulburn Valley.

OVER 50 YEARS OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING… Campbell’s Manufacturing and Maintenance Manager, Peter Pearce and Food Technologist and Plant Manager, Gabrielle Westlake. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

Our Goulburn Valley

Beverages

FROM the dozens of wineries to the recent boom in cider making and even brewing of beer, Our Goulburn Valley produces some of the finest drops that can be found across the country.

Cider success as production hits 60,000 litres HOME-GROWN CIDER… From left, Too Many Chiefs Co-founders, Carl Trigila, Dianne Trigila, Lilli Ahmet, Brian Ahmet, Fellenze Kutrolli and Safet Kutrolli. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

Tastes of the region WITH more than 30 wineries, a few new innovative cider makers popping up and breweries, the Goulburn Valley region is home to many producers of the finest drops found across Australia. From Tallis Wines in Dookie and Longleat Wines in Murchison to Fowles Wine, Monichino Wines, Maygars Hill Winery, Elgo Estate Winery, Trifon Estate Wines, Seraphim Wines, Mitchelton Wines and Cape Horn Vineyard the region’s wine industry is one of the most diverse in the country. On the back of the SPC grower numbers concerns, many of the region’s growers made the decision to diversify and turned to making cider. Too Many Chiefs, Plunketts Orchards’ Snakes & Ladders and the Cheeky Grog Co’s Cheeky Cider are some of the newest and innovative products from the region made from Australia’s best quality fruits.

TOO Many Chiefs has fast become an iconic, Shepparton brand. Co-founder, Carl Trigila recalls how the Too Many Chiefs cider journey began, four years ago, “It was a warm summer evening and the group of us, (six friends) were having a few drinks when another friend from Melbourne dropped in with a bottle of imported cider…” Conversation was sparked and the group, who have the blood of generations of orchardists running through their veins came up with the idea to create a locally grown cider. It was about two years in the making and seven or eight trial batches before the blend was perfected; but once the first batch of 50,000 bottles was released in the summer of 2013, Too Many Chiefs haven’t looked back. The team have now produced more than 60,000 litres of their two products; Too Many Chiefs Pear and Apple Cider and straight Apple Cider. Carl added, “There has been a lot of interest in our products even outside the Goulburn Valley. We think they have been well received because both ciders’ are original products, made from real Goulburn Valley fruit. Too Many Chiefs’ have a vision to take their products nationally, but remain focused on their Victorian distribution at the moment, having gained much regional exposure both on-premise and through regional BWS retail stores. Too Many Chiefs is one of those gems in business, started by friends with a truly innovative idea.

Over 50 years of producing premium Goulburn Valley Wines CARLO Monichino and wife Margaret started their lifelong dream of building a winery in the Goulburn Valley over 50 years ago. After arriving in Melbourne in 1949, Carlo first spent time in Queensland, before returning to Melbourne and then settling for a time in Shepparton. During his time in Shepparton, Carlo learned a lot from local farmers and quickly realised that the Goulburn Valley was perfect for growing grapes. Carlo met his wife-to-be Margaret; the two married and had three children. After their second child, Carlo decided it was time to turn his dreams of making wine into a reality. With this is mind the family moved to an estate in Katunga that was

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perfect for planting a vineyard. Carlo was the first applicant for a vignerons licence in the Goulburn Valley after the war; he also studied winemaking at Dookie College. After many years of hard work and dedication Carlo and Margaret opened their cellar door and the winery quickly progressed, with every member of the family of five becoming involved. The winery now produce 27 varieties of wine, many of them award winners. Still a family operation, nowadays the business is headed-up by daughter, Anna and her younger brother Terry, and recently, in 2012 the Monichino family celebrated their 50 year anniversary.

A GOULBURN VALLEY WINE INSTITUTION… Siblings Terry and Anna Monichino carry on the family tradition of producing award winning Goulburn Valley wines from their family’s Katunga vineyard. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

WITH more than 3,000 locals employed in the engineering industry, it’s easy to see the importance that the industry has in Our Goulburn Valley. From unique LED lighting, outdoor space fabricated products and steel tanks to speciality products and trailers, our region’s engineered products are significant to cities and communities worldwide.

Our Goulburn Valley

Engineering

Bright light for GV manufacturers in a transitioning economy MANUFACTURING in Australia, particularly exporters have been under siege for a number of years, and the Goulburn Valley has not been able to escape this ruthless downturn. Compared with international manufacturers, domestically increased costs in running their operations under much more stringent quality control and Occupational Health and Safety laws, labour regulations and in particular a resiliently strong Australian Dollar which hit an all time high against the US dollar of $1.06, took a big toll on Goulburn Valley manufacturers. The Australian dollar has since been on a steady decline to mid to low 70c. The decline of the Australian dollar is helping to breathe life back into Australian manufacturing and exporters, not least in the Goulburn Valley. It’s been a case of only the fittest have survived, and those who have are likely to be able to compete again with the rest of the world. The word is that local manufacturers are in a much stronger position to prosper compared to recent years when record commodity prices paid by our international customers, particularly for

mining exports, drove the dollar up. Since the world economies, particularly China and Europe, have slowed our dollar has plunged 33 percent. Bureau of Statistics figures for the Goulburn Valley show a transition happening in our local economy. Manufacturing employment figures showed a decline by 761 people between 2008/09 and 2013/14, wholesale trade positions increased by 444, transport, postal and warehousing increased employment positions by 442 and professional, scientific and technical services increased by 385 people. During this period the manufacturing sector was the hardest hit. The falling Australian dollar is likely to boost the Goulburn Valley economy, with the dollar likely to continue to drop and some commentators are predicting as low as 60c. This all bodes well for our Goulburn Valley exporters. On the flip side, if you are a manufacturer, business or primary producer who heavily relies on imports, a low Australian Dollar equates to higher import costs.

MANUFACTURING A SUCCESSFUL REGION… Manufacturing has long been a success of the Goulburn Valley, with businesses, including J Furphy & Sons, helping to build the region to what it is today. Photo: Supplied.

Facts Greater Shepparton is the

fifth largest city

in regional Victoria in terms of population

Our Goulburn Valley

Engineering

AT THE FOREFRONT OF MANUFACTURING… From left, J Furphy & Sons Managing Director, Adam Furphy and Furphy Foundry Director, Sam Furphy, who currently run the Furphy businesses that are one of the biggest manufacturing success stories the region has seen. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

150 years leading the way in innovation PERHAPS one of the most enduring manufacturing success stories within the Goulburn Valley region is the story of J. Furphy & Sons and Furphy Foundry. These family owned businesses spanning over 150 years of continuous operation remain at the forefront of manufacturing industry in the region. J Furphy & Sons comprises of two divisions. Furphy Engineering designs and manufactures stainless steel tanks for customers in the dairy, brewing, food and beverage, chemical and other industries right across Australia, in fact, most Australians will have consumed something that has spent time in a stainless steel tank made by Furphy Engineering in Shepparton. Furphy Galvanizing on the other hand offers hot dip galvanizing services to steel fabricators and manufacturers in the Goulburn Valley and beyond. The access to a local galvanizer is an important asset for the region’s manufacturing base as it allows steel fabrications of all shapes and sizes to be given the corrosion protection that a galvanized zinc surface provides. Furphy Foundry also plays an important role in the manufacturing accomplishments of this grand company. From outdoor

barbecues, bollards, litter receptacles, bike racks and planter boxes to park benches, public restrooms, bus shelters, bridges and boardwalks, the company is a nationwide success story. J Furphy & Sons Managing Director, Adam Furphy said, “The Furphy businesses have been providing innovative products and services for 150 years, and all from the Greater Shepparton region. “There really is no other place both of the businesses would rather operate from and no other community we would rather work alongside. “We look forward to the future products and innovative ideas that come out of this region and are proud to know that we will be a part of it.”

There really is no other place both of the businesses would rather operate from and no other community we would rather work alongside.

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Welcome distraction proves prosperous for local family What began as a welcome reprieve and Built on strength and courage, Tip ‘n’ Go allowed Rob to distract himself, has now Trailers of Shepparton was born out of adversity; blossomed into a very healthy business for the when business owners Rob and Michelle husband and wife team who now employ a McQualter’s youngest son was losing his battle staff of four at their first commercial property on with brain cancer. Melbourne Road in Shepparton. It was nine years ago; Rob and Michelle’s little Tip ‘n’ Go Trailers now manufacture and supply boy had been diagnosed with cancer at just 20 uniquely designed months old and as Rob I designed my first Rob’s hydraulic trailers, recalls, Hospice had paid hydraulic trailer in an tradesman trailers, one of their regular visits, ute bodies and ute “They told me I needed a effort to make collecting canopies Australia wide, break, to find something the wood easier; you both commercially and to distract myself, (from the 24-hour care could load it up, back privately. Their Melbourne Road retail store also required by his son). it in, tip out the wood stocks a range of 4X4 “It was recommended that I find a hobby, so and off you go again. accessories, trailer and ute spare parts, as well I went out to the shed as Trek Hardware. and started tinkering around. I designed my first Rob also manufactures and donates several hydraulic trailer in an effort to make collecting the trailers every year, supporting local charities wood easier; you could load it up, back it in, tip including local Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions clubs. out the wood and off you go again. The quiet achiever says, “It’s just our way of giving “Then a mate came around, I showed him the back.” trailer and he asked if he could buy it, so I sold From true adversity and with a great strength of it to him. I then made another one and another will, Rob and Michelle McQualter have created an mate came over and wanted to buy it, so I sold it, innovative product and a very successful business. then made another – that’s how it all started.”

QUIET ACHIEVER… Rob McQualter’s innovative idea of custom built hydraulic lift trailers has turned into a thriving business in the Goulburn Valley. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

Our Goulburn Valley

Engineering

Custom metal designs sought nationwide

BUSINESS BUILT ON REPUTATION… Mewo Metals Business Owner, Jack Schoot has built his business on word of mouth; his skills are now widely sought after by major, nationally renowned architects. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

Shepparton business creates designs for major national architects We’ve established significant relationships with architects all over the country and we’re pleased to be involved in such high profile projects. SHEPPARTON has many well kept secrets, and Mewo Metals is certainly one of them; the manufacturers of architectural fixtures and restorers of all things brass, copper and metal, are now widely sought after amongst well regarded, Melbourne and Sydney based architects. First established in Shepparton back in 1960; Mewo Metals was founded by Business Owner, Jack Schoot’s father, a coppersmith by trade, who immigrated to Australia from Holland. Initially the business specialised in manufacturing unique ornamental brassware and copper products for the purpose of wholesale distribution; but after many years of working alongside his father and learning the skills of the trade, Jack saw an opportunity to further develop the business to incorporate the design and manufacturing of architectural fixtures and decorative modern features.

Design contracts were soon sought after throughout not only regional Australia but our major capital cities as well, with Mewo Metals enlisted to design and create works for major projects which now include Sydney’s Star Casino upgrade and both Melbourne’s Park and Grand Hyatt. Jack says, “The business is truly built on reputation and our longstanding rapport with architects - we’ve never had to advertise. “We’ve established significant relationships with architects all over the country and we’re pleased to be involved in such high profile projects. “We assist with the whole architectural design project, from concept through to completion. “But we also still do the small restoration jobs, we repair and restore any copper, brass and silverware products – just about any type of metal, we can repair and restore, from vintage car parts to antique jewellery boxes.” Jack says he is driven by a passion for creating the look a client desires and is inspired by the joy that restoration brings to people. Along with architects; antique dealers, collectors and car enthusiasts from far and wide all seek the restoration expertise of Mewo Metals; and Jack and his team proudly assist in breathing new life into a huge range of treasured possessions.

REPAIRS AND RESTORATIONS… Inspired by the joy that restoration brings to customers, Mewo Metals will repair and restore just about any type of metal. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

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Our Goulburn Valley

Engineering

New technology plays a big role for

local engineering business LOCAL engineering business shifts focus to niche market to accommodate demand for immediate solutions in production industries. Established in 1994 by husband and

wife team, Mark and Janice Hooper, JMAR Engineering is a very unique Shepparton business; providing support to a range of local production plants and small businesses. Business Owner and Managing Director, Mark says, “We specialise in component machining, design solutions and high definition plate cutting, our business is driven by finding solutions for our customers. “We are able to offer a really niche service for our clients, because a lot of the work we do is small batch runs, we can often turn jobs around very quickly, or fit them in when others can’t – meaning that time lost in production industries can be minimised. “Shepparton is the perfect location for a

SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES… JMAR Engineering Managing Director, Mark Hooper prides himself on supporting local production businesses. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

business like ours, a haven really, because we’re diverse enough to service many industries, meaning we’re busy 12 months of the year. JMAR Engineering employs a team of 15 full-time local people, and Marks says, “The business makes a point of employing an apprentice every second year, both to support local, young people and to ensure the future of the business. “The industry has changed so much over the years, moving from manual machining to

now, fully automated, numerically controlled and computerised steel cutting mills. The technology now and into the future is really exciting for us.” Without the support of local businesses such as JMAR Engineering, the Goulburn Valley’s production industries would definitely experience more inefficiencies and production downtime. The innovation and ability to adjust their business to meet the demands of the market has ensured the success of JMAR Engineering, well into the future.

World leaders in LED lighting and electrical wiring harness innovation ESTABLISHED in 2002, one local company has evolved to become a major international market leader in their industry. Lucidity Australia manufactures quality, long lasting LED lighting and wiring products for trailers, trucks, caravans, and buses that are now widely used right across the world. Founded by Mathew Jenkins, the company was first established as Phaser Industries before being acquired by Taiwan based, Lucidity to form Lucidity Australia. The company now employs a team of 11 staff at the Telford Drive factory in Shepparton, including Mathew in the role of Technical Sales Director. The acquisition was inspired by the need to have a local Australian manufacturer with the ability to obtain a global reach. Lucidity Australia’s Shepparton based in-house design service and technical manufacturing facilities are second-to-none, producing the brand new OMP (Over Moulded Products) range, which is set to boost productivity for truck manufacturers, fleet

Page 20 August 2015 - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - The Shepparton Adviser

INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE… Lucidity Australia’s innovative team of industry leaders. From Left, Technical Sales Director, Mathew Jenkins, General Manager, Peng Wang, Operations Manager, Tim Brady, Finance Manager, Daisy Wang and Staff Members, Noi Eales, Steven Goodson, Rachel Palmer, Took Chaisue, Keira Dodgshun, Jordan Stone and Kerri Hammer. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

owners and owner-drivers. The OMP range is an Australian first, and offers a complete solution that allows all lighting and electrical elements of a trailer to plug into a common series of connectors. The concept evolved from problems raised by truck drivers, fleet owners and manufacturers spending too much time and money replacing and installing electrical and lighting components

on their truck or trailer. Countless hours of research, development and testing, has seen Lucidity Australia develop the revolutionary OMP range, which simplifies functionality and allows new lights and components to be simply plugged in. Another example of the innovation and forward thinking that makes our Goulburn Valley such a rich, resourceful region.

Our Goulburn Valley

Engineering

50 years of manufacturing success ENGINEERING has always played a large part in the region’s economy, and in the last year alone the industry has seen more than $330M produced from the Goulburn Valley region. Having been part of the engineering industry for more than 50 years, family owned and operated business, Trevaskis Engineering is a real success story, with the company’s products helping to support a number of the region’s manufacturing industries including Furphy Foundry, Rubicon Water, SPC, Tatura Milk, Unilever and Aquatec. Trevaskis Engineering began in 1959 as a father and son partnership with Richie Trevaskis performing basic sheet metal work and farm equipment repairs from a workshop on the family farm. From these humble beginnings Trevaskis Engineering has developed a unique business specialising in engineering design, precision punching, cutting, forming and pressing of sheet metal as well as a fabrication shop. Trevaskis Engineering’s readiness to be innovative has helped see the company grow through the introduction of state-of-the-art equipment including 3D drafting software, the latest laser profile cutting equipment, CNC turret punching and folding facility. Trevaskis Engineering General Manager, Michael Mason said, “The company has kept up with the many advancements in the engineering industry over the years to ensure that the products produced are of the highest quality but what really makes a difference is the quality of the local people we employ and the service they offer to our diverse customer base. “Our core business is sheet metal engineering including jobbing work for other engineering companies, project work for food processing factories, local government projects and

REAL SUCCESS STORY… Trevaskis Engineering has been part of the Goulburn Valley engineering industry for more than 50 years. From left, Jason, Kristen, Scott, Michael, Graeme, Russell, Kerry, John, Mark, Rayleen, Tim, Darren, Andrew, Steve, Geoff, Wayne, Chris, Danny, Robert, Mark, Damien, Matt, Lachy, James and Sean. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

contract work for other manufacturers. “We manufacture our own range of feeding systems for the dairy industry that is distributed through a network of dealers around Australia and New Zealand. “Today, we operate from our modern premises in Tatura and

employ 37 staff. “We have enjoyed the support of a number of local manufacturing businesses over the years and are proud to be a part of the engineering industry in the Goulburn Valley.”

Our Goulburn Valley

Engineering

8 year

snapshot of the

manufacturing sector in Greater Shepparton

3000+

SOURCE: Greater Shepparton City Council

Employed in the Engineering sector 2008

3,468

Employed

2009

3,468

Employed

2010

3,469

Employed

2011

3,361

Employed 2012

3,150

Employed

2013

3,150

Employed

2014

3,150

Employed

2015

3,150

Employed

2007

$1.888B

2015

$2.222B

2008

2014

$2.360B

$2.140B

2010

2013

$2.388B

$2.260B

$17B 2011

OVER

$2.321B

Page 22 August 2015 - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - The Shepparton Adviser

2012

$2.260B

output from region from 2007 to 2015

Our Goulburn Valley

Engineering

Relying on the Goulburn Valley’s engineers We are proud to be a local company who is able to work on projects both inside and outside the region.

ENGINEERING SUCCESS… From left, Snelling Engineering Assistant Manager, Brendan Redding and Manager, Steve Snelling. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

THERE are many businesses across the state that rely heavily on the Goulburn Valley’s engineering industry to set them up and sometimes, keep them operating including the likes of Coles, McDonalds and KFC. Snelling Engineering, who celebrated 12 years in business this year, was formally known as J. Murphy Sheet Metal and was originally started in 1980 by Jim Murphy. Today, Snelling Engineering manages 10 local staff who work producing stainless steel equipment including bench tops, sink units, cabinets and splash backs for projects involving the likes of KFC, McDonalds and Coles stores statewide.

Snelling Engineering Manager, Steve Snelling said, “Our break into the Melbourne based project market, involving the likes of Coles, KFC and McDonalds, all started with some work we did on the GV Hotel refurbishment project involving a Melbourne company who was in charge of the project. They were impressed with our work and got us involved in other projects like the new KFC at the Victoria Park Lake and it just snowballed from there. “We are proud to be a local company who is able to work on projects both inside and outside the region such as Coles stores in Torquay, Coburg, Tarneit, Lara and Mill Park; KFC stores in Mildura, Shepparton, Wallan and Brimbank; and McDonalds stores in Ballarat, Geelong, Shepparton, Mooroopna and Craigieburn. “We are very pleased and proud of the fact that a small company from the country can compete with larger companies in Melbourne for this type of work.”

IT is easy to see that without water, Our Goulburn Valley would not be where it is today. There are about 20 major commercial water users in the region, using over 50 megalitres each per year – these major industries, many of which are fruit industries, accounted for over 60 percent of the non-residential water consumed last year, with the hundreds of smaller water users using the other 40 percent.

Irrigation RUBICON PUTS SHEPPARTON ON THE MAP… The innovation produced by Shepparton’s Rubicon Water is now widely sought after across the world. From left, FarmConnect® General Manager, Peter Moller and Retic Water General Manager, Matthew Ryan. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

Rubicon Water leads the world in water technology MAJOR Shepparton Manufacturer, Rubicon Water has, for more than two decades, been a world leader in innovative irrigation technology. The privately owned company was established in 1995 by several former Rural Water Corporation employees who saw a need to reduce inefficiencies and improve productivity in Victoria’s regional irrigation system. This vision has seen Rubicon Water become the only company in the world that is totally focused upon improving large scale, gravity fed, irrigation systems. The knowledge and expertise recognised by this world-leading, innovative company is highly sought after around the world and has certainly assisted in putting Greater Shepparton on the map, and indeed solidifying Australia’s reputation for excellence in innovation. The business also regularly receives international visitors who are keen to learn as much as possible about how these ‘Aussies’ got it so right. Rubicon’s vision to improve the productivity of farms around the world, in an environmentally sustainable way, by delivering advanced technology to better manage irrigation networks, enables them to improve water resources to unprecedented levels of efficiency and control. With Rubicon’s innovative solution technology, Total Channel Control®, Irrigation authorities can now deliver accurately

Our Goulburn Valley

10 countries. measured, constant high-flow water, onBut the innovation and forward thinking demand to farmers utilising their existing does not stop there; in order to offer an open channel systems. This ensures that entire irrigation solution, Rubicon Water farmers are better positioned to make their also introduced the Retic Water arm of the irrigation decisions, receiving the water when business. their plants need it and at the rate they need Retic Water offers it, avoiding potential a pipeline solution to wastage and fertiliser The business regularly the traditional irrigation run off, equating to receives international system and is wholly higher yields at much on delivering less expense. This visitors who are keen focused irrigation infrastructure has lead to the recent to learn as much solutions, from endlaunch of Rubicon’s including on-farm solution as possible about to-end design, planning and FarmConnect® which according how these ‘Aussies’ construction. Retic Water General to FarmConnect’s got it so right. Manager, Matthew General Manager, Ryan said, “As a whole Peter Moller, “Enables irrigators to double food and fibre per megalitre business unit we can now offer the entire solution, from integrating farm irrigation of water with a high performance surface software and communications to providing irrigation which is automated, water efficient the required infrastructure to achieve the best and environmentally sustainable”. possible on-farm results. The business manufactures and tests all of “But of course, there’s still so much to do its products at its Wheeler Street premises in in order to continue to provide our farmers Shepparton, which consists of a factory and with on-farm modernisation solutions - we’re hydraulics testing laboratory; the largest of its definitely not slowing down any time soon.” type in the Southern Hemisphere. Rubicon Water is one of those star Rubicon Water now has offices in Australia, businesses that brings so much to the New Zealand, Mexico, China, Spain and Goulburn Valley – A perfect story for Our the USA, and they have now installed their Goulburn Valley – a resourceful, rich region. innovative Total Channel Control® system in

The Shepparton Adviser - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - August 2015 Page 25

Our Goulburn Valley

Irrigation

Resourceful corporation uses recycled water to boost agricultural industries

ON FARM BENEFIT… From left, Dairy Farmer, Charlie Coote, Manager of Operations, Steve Nash and Goulburn Valley Water Waste Water and Recycling Coordinator, Stuart Harris. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

INNOVATION has seen one local corporation lead the way in recycled irrigation solutions for agricultural industries and farming properties across the region. For over 20 years, Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) has used recycled water, produced at its wastewater management facilities, to irrigate agricultural properties across the Goulburn Valley region. The local corporation not only uses recycled water to irrigate its own land, but also on-sells to several farmers and local golf courses in order for them to use the water to irrigate their land. GVW produces around 7,000 megalitres of recycled water from its 26 Wastewater Management Facilities each year. This recycled water is often enriched with

nutrients, making it suitable for irrigation. GVW uses recycled water to irrigate crops and pastures on its own land and land of nearby farmers, as well as irrigating golf courses and wood lots. The method of irrigation varies from flood, fixed spray, centre pivot and drip irrigation. These water techniques are used to grow a variety of crops and pastures for sheep, beef and dairy cattle. Maize and lucerne is also grown and harvested for stock feed on many properties. Goulburn Valley Water also have a number of other exciting environmental programs in effect across the region; including the capture of biogas from covered wastewater lagoons which is converted into electricity and fed back into the grid.

The region’s most precious resource WATER is the most precious resource on earth and without correct management the Goulburn Valley’s agricultural industry could not operate. The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority is leading a consortium

of local organisations in one innovative program that has been helping to increase farming productivity in the region for five years. The Farm Water Program is generating significant economic benefits across the region

Page 26 August 2015 - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - The Shepparton Adviser

and has created in excess of 350 jobs. In its first three rounds, the Farm Water Program administered $124M in funding, with 517 projects undertaken by 311 dairy farmers, 99 grain farmers, 64 beef and sheep farmers and 17 other irrigators saving a total of 68 gigalitres of water. Farm Water Program participant and Congupna landholder, Mick Lombardo owns a property with horses and beef cattle, which made completing his project fairly complex. Adding to the complexity, Mick also lives a distance from his property and therefore sought the assistance of Project Manager, John Edwards. With the laser grading, drainage works, gravity irrigation and automation works now completed, Mick said, “It’s been a big improvement to the irrigation’s efficiency; there’s better flow rates and sections of automation with bigger channels and outlets.” John said, “The key to making the project flow smoothly was quality contractors, and to complete the works it helped running it over two seasons, as we couldn’t put the whole farm out of action.” Katunga’s, Bill Gread also completed laser grading, channel and automation works through

the program but opted for fast flow irrigation. “I reckon this Goulburn Murray Valley region is a golden region – a real ‘Garden of Eden,’ but because of the drought, we were watching it wither before our eyes. This modernisation work and extra funding for on-farm work is completely reinvigorating the region, it’s given us all a new lease of life.”

INNOVATIVE PROGRAM… Farm Water Program (FWP) Senior Contracts and Inspections Officer, Chris Nicholson, Project Manager, John Edwards and Property Manager, Bruce Phillips inspect channel works completed on Mick Lombardo’s property under the FWP. Photo: Supplied.

Our Goulburn Valley

Household Products

EVERY home in Australia will currently have, or have had, a personal or other household product in the bathroom, laundry or in a cupboard that was produced right here in the region. Our Goulburn Valley sees products from mineral make-up to big brand firelighters and cleaning products being sold locally and provided to major and independent supermarket chains across the country.

Iconic household brands produced in Shepparton, distributed nationally AUSTRALIA’S last major cleaning products manufacturer continues to build a strong future in regional Victorian with Shepparton manufacturing set to expand. Established in 1954, Pental, is the largest manufacturer of soap products in the country; the business’s Shepparton plant has been continually supporting the local community through employment for over six decades. Over the years, Pental has acquired many heritage brands; these much-loved labels cover household care products, fabric care, personal care and fire lighting products. These iconic household brands include; Country Life, Velvet, Softly, Martha’s Wool Mix, Little Lucifer and Jiffy Firelighters, which complement their flagship brand, White King. When the company purchased the renowned White King bleach range from previous owner, Sara Lee in 2011, the decision was made to move manufacturing from its Port Melbourne plant to Shepparton and in early 2013 that goal became a reality. The relocation of the bleach production created an additional eleven positions for locals and secured the job futures for their existing 100 staff members. Pental now currently produce approximately 30,000 cartons and in excess of 300 pallets of finished goods per day on their various production lines. With 44 different bleach products alone being dispatched

INVESTING IN THE REGION… Pental, local Shepparton manufacturer of many popular household products are proud of their continual investment in the region. From left, General Manager of Operations, Gerard Segrave and Production Manager, Carmine Conte. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

from Shepparton’s Drummond Road factory, the expanded production has consequently provided an increased volume of products requiring distribution, resulting in a significant flow-on effect that has benefited many local service providers including freight, logistics, packaging and raw materials suppliers as well

as engineering suppliers which have all consequently needed to increase their staff. This is a clear indication of the positive impacts Pental has had on the Shepparton community. As the business has grown, so has Pental’s investment in the region. General Manager of Operations, Gerard Segrave said, “We have recently commenced our Strategic Capital Investment Program, with the 2016 financial year set to see an investment of $5.3M by Pental into the Shepparton manufacturing plant. “We will install a new soap plant; upgrade our current filling equipment and line automation. These projects will deliver significant energy reductions for the plant and provide improvements to productivity. Pental is very proud to be a major employer and investor in the Shepparton region and management say the company very much looks forward to continuing its long association with the city. Gerard added, “Like many businesses in the region, we owe a lot of our success to the support we receive from the local community.” Pental’s Shepparton manufacturing operations have big plans to continue to develop new and innovative products, and with a raft of new products in the pipeline, the company is very much looking forward to continuing to support our great city, providing jobs for the community and investing in the region’s future.

Designed in Shepparton

cosmetic range goes national DISTRIBUTED NATIONWIDE… Shepparton’s Livyem Mineral Make Up Business Owner, Kim O’Keeffe personally designs all her own products, now distributed nationally. Photo: Madeleine Caccaniga.

Page 28 August 2015 - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - The Shepparton Adviser

gangbusters, and the products are now being A PASSION for beautiful cosmetics and skincare has seen local woman, Kim O’Keeffe distributed nationwide - through independent beauty salons, and most recently - introduced develop an outstanding and increasingly to the Terry White Chemist chain of stores. popular range of mineral make up products What initially started out as a range to sell in that are now distributed nationwide. her own salon and to use in her training centre After some 28 years in the beauty industry as both an educator and retailer, having owned has now grown into a respected national product range. her own beauty salon, retail store and training Kim said, “It’s been such an amazing centre; Kim certainly knows what she likes journey. I feel extremely grateful to the when it comes to cosmetics. So when she support I have had, particularly from my local couldn’t find a product range that she was customers who have always trusted my entirely happy with, to use in both her training judgement and continue to buy my products. classes and salon, she decided to design a Their feedback range herself. has been crucial in Kim said, “A friend of I’m doing what I love, developing the range mine put me in touch with a manufacturer every day and that’s and the success it has had. in Western Australia, something I’ll never “I’m doing what I I was able to tell him love every day and exactly what ingredients take for granted. that’s something I’ll I wanted in my products never take for granted. and together we I’m in control of the products I’m creating, created my brand Livyem Mineral Make Up. selling and using.” “The products include mineral powder Kim’s Shepparton based training school foundations, primers, concealers, blushers, offers short courses in a range of beauty bronzers, eyeshadows, eyeliners, lipsticks therapies; giving not only local people, but and mascaras. All of the products have been many students from outside the region an carefully designed to benefit the skin as well opportunity to enter the industry that she is as perform as a cosmetic.” wildly passionate about. In addition Kim has Kim’s core product range was completed also just expanded her training courses to in 2009, since then the business has grown accommodate students in both Melbourne and considerably; the salon (located on level one the Gold Coast and she is also in the process of the Tirana City Walk) has just employed a new part time beauty therapist to keep up with of developing an on-line and distant learning program as well. appointments; Kim’s on-line store is going

Our Goulburn Valley

Art & Culture

BEING one of the most multicultural regions in the country, Our Goulburn Valley produces or is home to the more unique talents and cultural identities than anywhere else. From music and art to cultural hubs helping to bring the community together, culture is alive in every corner of our region.

Culture’s economic contribution to local economy CULTURAL COMMUNITY… MPR Dancers from Mooroopna Secondary College performing at the official opening of the Rumbalara Health Service centre in 2012. Photo: Lisa Nardella.

CULTURE has helped to shape this community into the welcoming city it has become, but there are some elements to our cultural community that cannot be found anywhere else. Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative has been operating from the region since 1981 and contributes approximately $20M per annum to the Greater Shepparton economy, employing 200 people and are active and equal participants in culture, the arts and employment across the region. Perhaps one of the more unique elements that Rumbalara’ offers is its unique and first of its kind collaboration with an Elders Council. Established this year, the Elders Council is made up of 20 Elders from across the region and was set up to give guidance and support to the Rumbalara’ board, as well as to be actively involved in events and activities and play a major role in advocating Rumbalara.’ Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative CEO, Kemal ‘Kim’ Sedick said, “People right across the region are overwhelmed to hear that our Elders have a voice now and are guiding the board on the direction of Rumbalara. “It’s about honouring the wisdom and knowledge that our Elders have. “We play our part in seeing that different cultural groups come together, get to know each other and celebrate. “We want to ensure that we empower our communities and help the community to experience self determination.”

Art; the soul of the community UNIQUE ART… The region’s artists and art museums are unlike many others seen across the country, with unique pieces on display including Sam Jinks’ Woman and Child at Shepparton Art Museum. Photo: Supplied.

ART is the language of the soul and the Goulburn Valley region certainly has a lot of soul. From Shepparton Art Museum and its number of unique or world renowned exhibitions and largest ceramic collection on offer across all of Australia and the abundance of local artists scattered around the region, to Gallery Kaiela, which allows the incredibly artistic and cultural Indigenous community to showcase their works, the region’s art is an innovative and resourceful part of the community.

FROM June 2014 to June 2015 $82.7M was spent on new dwellings and $22.8M was spent on new commercial buildings in the region, which is an indication Our Goulburn Valley is not only expanding but that construction and building design are an important part of our economy.

new buildings

Building

new buildings

118

other buildings

103

other buildings

new buildings

other buildings

new buildings

other buildings

new buildings

339 579

July 2014 to June 2015

July 2013 to June 2014

July 2012 to June 2013

July 2011 to June 2012

July 2010 to June 2011

July 2009 to June 2010

other buildings

July 2008 to June 2009

Our Goulburn Valley

new commercial buildings from July 2008 to June 2015

other commercial buildings from July 2008 to June 2015

Selling the foundations of our region’s future OVER the past 12 months Kevin Hicks Real Estate has been instrumental in securing buyers for a long list of both large and small industrial, commercial, farming and residential properties across the Goulburn Valley. Although established just 12 years ago, the team at Kevin Hicks Real Estate holds more than 150 years combined experience and with branches in Shepparton, Numurkah and Benalla; Kevin Hicks Real Estate service every corner of the Goulburn Valley. Business Owner, Kevin Hicks says, “I see our role as supporting the community, through every phase of their lives. Whether it’s the new professional moving into town, a business looking to expand or even the farmer who is looking to down-size and retire; our job is to ensure we set people up for a future they will enjoy within our region. It is imperative that we assist people in creating the lives they want in order to ensure that strong foundations are laid for our region’s future. “We pride ourselves on offering specialist agents in the areas of residential, industrial, commercial properties and rural, land and clearing sales. “Because we have such varied skills in our team, we are able to pair the buyer with the most appropriately skilled estate agent. “There is no better feeling than when you know you’ve got it right for someone, you’ve set them up for success. “We really are a one-stop-shop, with all aspects of real estate offered under one roof.”

MORE THAN 150 YEARS’ COMBINED EXPERIENCE… Director and Licensed Real Estate Agent, Kevin Hicks, of Kevin Hicks Real Estate. Photo: Madeleine Caccainiga.

Family owned and operated, Kevin Hicks has always placed a strong importance on local knowledge and the progression of employees through the business and now currently employ a staff of 22, making them one of the largest real estate agencies in northern Victoria.

The Shepparton Adviser - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - August 2015 Page 31

Our Goulburn Valley

Building

8,000 SQUARE METRES UNDER ROOF… Neatline Homes husband and wife team, Ken and Helma Gash say with the amount of space they now have, “There’s not much we can’t do.” Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

Page 32 August 2015 - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - The Shepparton Adviser

Local construction firm celebrates 600th building A VISION to continually improve; bringing new designs, new features and a flexible approach to customers’ individuality, has seen Shepparton’s Neatline Homes establish a strong future across our state. Husband and wife team, Ken and Helma Gash recently celebrated their 600th construction after having purchased the business in 2000. The company has certainly come a long way, now boasting some 8,000m2 under roof and the ability to construct up to 20 buildings at a time. Neatline Homes manufacture each module on-site, at their Goulburn Valley premises with dwellings/modules ranging in size from 50m2 through to 2,000m2 domestic and commercial buildings such as the temporary Numurkah hospital. The business is renowned for their lifestyle villages but more recently, have branched out to include, apartment buildings, modular university accommodation and government buildings. Helma said, “We’re really proud to have now completed over 600 buildings since we took over the business, just 15 years ago. “Our buildings are low impact, lightweight constructions, designed to have minimal impact on the environment. “Our manufacturing site monitors recycling on a daily basis, with steel, cardboard and

timber all being sorted as we build. Our trades people are also very co-operative with our policy on recycling. Neatline Homes is a rapidly growing business that currently employs just under 70 local people. Ken and Helma said, “We love working in Shepparton, it’s a great place to live and being central, it’s great for our business as we sell and distribute right throughout Victoria and New South Wales, including to major cities. With a view to build more energy efficient, modern homes, Helma said, “We’re always looking for new ways of constructing, and are currently working on different designs, incorporating new energy efficient technology.” Neatline Homes design and construct with the help of local engineers and building surveyors, their flexibility in design means buildings can be adjusted to suit the needs of the customer; the team also manufacture their own doors and windows on-site. Helma added, “There’s not much we can’t do, the options are really unlimited with our buildings, if it can fit on a truck we will build it.” Neatline Homes is another example of an innovative product manufacturer originating from our region that is now highly sought after for their quality workmanship.

Our Goulburn Valley

Building

Hand-crafted cabinetry…

MAKING THEIR MARK ON THE INDUSTRY… Liberty Kitchens, Owners, Paul Moroney and Greg Clohesy now supply their custom cabinetry to major national builders, Dennis Family Homes and Neatline Homes. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

Liberty Kitchens supplies to national builders QUALITY, custom designed cabinetry that has been built in Shepparton for the past 40 years, is making its mark in the building industry and is now sought after by national companies including leading home builders, Dennis Family Homes and Neatline Homes. In addition to many local builders utilising the hand-crafted cabinetry, created by the local team at Liberty Kitchens, Owners, Greg Clohesy and Paul Moroney are now supplying their quality custom designs statewide. Liberty Kitchens has undergone many name changes in its time, as the business transitioned through ownership; having previously been known as Coral Joinery, V and M Furniture and Liberty Furniture.

We are proud to be able to manufacture locally and distribute to significant national companies. Long-term employees of the business, Greg and Paul, first entered into partnership in 2003, with the then current owners, before deciding to take on full ownership in 2009. Greg said, “Liberty Kitchens is much more than just building kitchens, we can basically do any cabinetry work inside the home, for any home. We are a true custom builder, no flat-packs. “We listen to the individual needs of our clients, then design, quote, create, fit and install the cabinetry. All cabinetry is made onsite at our Williams Road workshop, which gives us full control over the product we produce. “We are proud to be able to manufacture locally and distribute to significant national companies. “We also take great pride in offering quality products and service. Our aim is to always exceed our customer’s expectations.” Liberty Kitchens now employs a total staff of 24 and proudly sources all team members from the Goulburn Valley area; the business also makes it a priority to take on a new apprentice every year; because they strongly believe, it is important to give young people the chance to train, and live and work locally. Page 34 August 2015 - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - The Shepparton Adviser

Our Goulburn Valley

Building

Copulos family still calls Shepparton home Family expands with new Shepparton projects INVESTMENT SUCCESS… From left, Peter, Chris and Stephen Copulos. Photo: Supplied.

SHEPPARTON’S largest private developer and philanthropist, Peter Copulos, and his family continue to invest in new projects in Shepparton. Our Goulburn Valley – A Resourceful Rich Region could not publish without the acknowledgement of one of the region’s most successful self-made entrepreneurs. Peter once said that, “Life is a constant education.” He is true to those words. The Copulos family continue to expand at a rapid rate with the recent completion of the new multi million dollar Harvey Norman and Fun City Entertainment complexes at Riverside Plaza. Quest Apartments is an attractive recent addition to their property portfolio in Shepparton and the relocation and large expansion of MC Pipes off Doyles Road, Shepparton, using state-of-the-art concrete pipe and box culvert manufacturing equipment, offers a diversified business. The extended families are also very much involved in the family businesses, including Nicole and Matthew Georgiou and Kimberly and Andrew Giankos. Philanthropy is close to the Copulos family’s heart with major contributions to GV Health, prostate cancer research, and the exciting new Shepparton Art Museum (SAM), to name a few. The Copulos family today covers three generations; Peter’s son, Stephen, who runs the day-to-day operations of the business, while Stephen and his wife Mary’s son Christopher has also joined the business. The skill of identifying opportunities and combining these opportunities with innovation and investment is at the forefront of the Copulos family’s success. One of those opportunities Peter identified in his early days of investing was a vacant block of land on the corner of Wyndham and

Page 36 August 2015 - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - The Shepparton Adviser

Swallow Streets, purchasing it for 11,000 pounds in 1960. It was the beginning of an extraordinary success story. The Parklake Motor Inn was founded, which has since gone through several transformations, extending over eight house blocks. A regular program of upgrades has kept it at the forefront of hospitality and accommodation to this day. One of the Copulos family’s long and endearing investments has been The Parklake. Shepparton is only part of the success story. During the course of history, the Copulos Group has evolved with the drive of Peter and Stephen who have developed expertise in property development, retail, franchising, fast food, hospitality, manufacturing, mining, global investments, funds management and public companies. The group has built and owns a large property portfolio spread between Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the United States. Development activities started in Shepparton in 1961, and over the years, many sites have been purchased and developed for national, government and local tenants. The Copulos Group of Companies is a large employer across the country in different businesses. On the development side, Peter and Stephen have always insisted that with all development projects, all contractors must be local and community based contributors and over the years have built a great team of qualified and loyal companies and tradesmen to assist with their developments. Shepparton is fortunate that the Copulos family continues to show faith in the region by investing heavily in the local economy. The Copulos family, from humble beginnings in the 1940s have made a great contribution in helping to make the Goulburn Valley a resourceful, rich region.

Our Goulburn Valley

Furniture

MANY households across the country might just have been furnished with pieces that may have been made in Our Goulburn Valley. The furniture produced in our region is not only sold locally but is even supplied to countrywide furniture specialists or custom-made to order and exported internationally.

Shepparton-made furniture sought by national retailers SOME may think that woodworking is a dying trade, with the amount of outsourcing of furniture products offshore these days, but not in Shepparton. First established out of a private shed in residential Shepparton, back in 1996, Creative Wooden Ideas is a wholesale furniture manufacturer that is challenging the status quo of the woodworking industry; now supplying to major national retailers Harvey Norman and Domayne. Business Owners, Wendy and Craig Chandler said, “The business has grown totally organically over the past 19 years. We’ve been through five sheds, purely to enable us to grow with the business and meet the demand for our products. “Most recently, we not only moved to a bigger and better business place (a 1,500 square metre shed), but also increased the size of the business, going from employing four staff to now employing a team of 10 – including four keen, young apprentices.” But there’s still plenty more scope to grow, Wendy explains, “We’ve experienced a growth of 80 percent in the last 12 months alone. The demand for premium quality, Tasmanian Oak and Victorian Ash wooden furniture products has certainly risen in the last year, and we could definitely expand the team further. We have the space in the shed, we just need the current electricity supply in our zone to be upgraded, with a new transformer box installed so as to allow for

more three phase power outlets for the shed. If that were to happen, we would be pleased to be able to create more jobs. “We do need to credit GOTAFE though, they have been amazing, assisting with training our apprentices and introducing new courses to incorporate more furniture making skills.” The increased demand for product is largely credited to one of the business’s largest clients – Harvey Norman. Wendy and Craig now provide their Shepparton manufactured products, including dining and coffee tables, buffets, hutches and a number of other smaller, decorative pieces to the retail giant’s stores right around the country. The business also supplies to another national chain; Domayne, as well as select independent stores throughout Victoria. Creative Wooden Ideas is also proudly part of the Australian Made Campaign, and Wendy says, “There’s nothing better than creating quality products from locally sourced timbers; it supports our economy by creating jobs and employment for local people.” Since establishing the business in 1996, Wendy and Craig Chandler have gone from strength to strength and are now very proud of their contribution not only to local employment but also to helping put Shepparton on the map with major national retailers.

AUSTRALIAN DESIGNED AND MADE… Shepparton’s own, Creative Wooden Ideas Business Owners, Craig and Wendy Chandler. Photo: David Lee.

Raw passion for creating

TALENTED TIMBER CRAFTSMEN… From left, Envisage Furniture Business Owners, Matthew Irwin and Chris Willis have a passion for quality, unique, handcrafted timber furniture and proudly custom make ‘just about anything.’ Photo: Alicia Niglia.

central Victoria, which is also known as the AN in-depth knowledge of carpentry, joinery transport hub of Victoria is ideal, as it enables and fine furniture-making has seen Shepparton us to source timber locally, from throughout custom timber furniture designs sought after Australia and also, when required from other and distributed not only nationally but also countries as well. abroad. “Being in the Goulburn Valley means we are Established in June 2001, Envisage Furniture also able to personally deliver to most of our on Numurkah Road, Shepparton is the Victorian and New South Wales customers.” conception of two talented timber craftsmen, Specialists in handcrafted, custom made Matthew Irwin and Chris Willis. Their passion furniture, Chris and Matt say they have worked for quality, unique, handcrafted timber furniture with at least 70-80 different types of timber, has become widely sought after by purveyors of and it is this experience that enables them to quality craftsmanship; those that have an innate guide their customers to the most ideal solution sense of appreciation for the raw beauty of for them – Chris adds, Australian timbers. The duo first began Every piece we create “Every piece we create is different, which means working together is different, which we’re always learning and under the same employer, back in means we’re always getting to be creative.” The pair say they would the late ‘90s before learning and getting love to further expand recognising their shared passion and skill-set to be creative. the business and invest in a showroom four times that encompassed the size, in order to showcase their treasured everything from creative design to structural ‘timber gold’, a 7.2 x 1.7 metre slab of red gum integrity. The idea was soon born that the two that Matt ‘just happened to come across,’ over would be a great team in their own business; Mansfield way. The team say having it on display and so their vision became Envisage’… the would definitely draw a crowd and visitors to the business now celebrates the creativity of the region due to the rarity of the piece. pair, custom designing and manufacturing Envisage Furniture is yet another exciting everything from dining tables to commercial home grown success story from our Goulburn ‘showcase’ cabinetry. Valley. Chris said, “Our location in Shepparton being Page 38 August 2015 - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - The Shepparton Adviser

Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

WITHOUT the transport industry and those who support it, Our Goulburn Valley could not have become as successful as it is. More than 25 percent of the state’s truck registrations are from the Goulburn Valley and each one of those trucks import products and then export our products across the country and internationally.

Transport, the heartbeat of the Goulburn Valley TAKE a drive out to Shepparton East and you will soon witness a hive of activity at a level that is rare in regional Victoria. In just a few square kilometres alone you will see hundreds of trucks operating for companies large and small. Campbell’s Soups, Visy, SPC/Coca Cola Amatil, Geoffrey Thompson Fruit Packing, Rubicon Water, Scorpio Foods, SCS Plastics, Pental, the relatively new Pactum Dairy and GV Independent Packers just to name a few, as well as numerous coolstore and storage businesses all utilise and rely on the region’s transport industry to move their products and to import ingredients to enable them to make their innovative products. If a slow movement camera was viewed from the air, it would show an extraordinary pattern of prime mover movements. It is no surprise that the Goulburn Valley has more than 25 percent of the state’s truck registrations and is currently sitting at over 2,200 registrations in Shepparton, Shepparton East, Kialla and Mooroopna alone. There is a string of large truck companies such as Kreskas

Bros Transport, Scotts, Stoitse, Radevski, Leocata’s Transport, Gattuso and Fred’s Transport. One of Shepparton’s more resilient truck companies is Keating Freight Lines, who specialise in a daily service to and from Melbourne, one of the first Shepparton truck business to offer this service. The other larger transport companies are big on interstate cartage. The third generation business headed up by Ken Keating and his sons Chris, Stephen and Mark was launched in 1982 and has prospered, particularly in the refrigerated cartage business. The business, which operates 23 trucks started in Mitchell Street, Shepparton, before moving to a four acre site on Benalla Road where Spotlight is located today. The Keating family ran the Shepparton Motel from the same site before moving to its current location on a 30 acre site on the corner of Lemnos and New Dookie Roads. Ken told The Adviser, publisher of Our Goulburn Valley – A Resourceful Rich Region that a huge amount of revenue is brought into the Goulburn Valley with the trucking industry

providing a multiplier effect within the local economy. “It’s all the business that’s associated with the industry, whether it’s tyres, fuel, spare parts or trucks themselves, they all generate substantial business for the Shepparton area,’ says Ken. The family business continues to expand with the recent purchase of its own depot in Campbellfield on the northern outskirts of Melbourne. When talking about their business, Ken and Chris were more interested in talking about junior footy. Keatings’ are the major sponsors of Shepparton junior football, and are delighted to have been sponsors for 33 consecutive years. Keatings’ is among many successful local companies doing good things in the Goulburn Valley. Shepparton is also the home of the renowned Driver Education Centre of Australia (DECA). The national driver training initiative began in 1974 and is today managed by Warren Smith. Warren is also the new chairman of the Goulburn Valley Road Transport Group.

Shepparton’s trucking industry

A vital role in the nation’s road transport task

PASSIONATE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS… Goulburn Valley Road Transport Group have made a successful future for the road transport industry in the Goulburn Valley. From left, Goulburn Valley Road Transport Group (GVRTG) Chairman, Warren Smith, GVRTG Members and MMV Transports Owners, Paul Murphy and Leckie Milne and GVRTG Coordinator, Peter McPhee. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

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WITH Australian truck drivers travelling over four billion kilometres every year on Australian roads; delivering everything that our communities rely on, the safety and viability of our local drivers, the companies they work for and the communities they live in is at the forefront of concerns for the Goulburn Valley Road Transport Group, (GVRTG). The GVRTG was first formed in 1995, by members of the road transport industry including, business owners and managers, transport operators and employees. The group’s primary objective has always been to provide a voice for local operators so that their challenges and concerns can be heard and considered by larger organisations when discussions around major industry changes occur; assisting operators in the Goulburn Valley to remain current with the everchanging regulations governing road transport. With approximately one quarter of all heavy vehicles that are registered in Victoria, operating out of the Goulburn Valley region,

our local economy certainly relies heavily on the transport and logistics industry. The industry provides significant employment in the Goulburn Valley, supports many local businesses and families and as the freight task is set to double by 2025, the Goulburn Valleys’ reliance on the road transport industry will only continue. The GVRTG believe it is imperative to the future of the local industry that they remain at the forefront of industry knowledge, regulations and changes, it is for this reason the committee regularly invites guest speakers from organisations such as the Victorian Police; Vic Roads and various transport agencies to speak at their meetings. The Goulburn Valley Road Transport Group’s member base of passionate industry professionals have made a substantial contribution to ensuring the future of the road transport industry’s presence in Shepparton and indeed the Goulburn Valley.

Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

Multi-million dollar economic impact THE importance of the region’s transport industry is evident. Without the many thousands of containers of product being imported and exported from Greater Shepparton, the operation of our fresh and packaged produce and manufacturing sectors wouldn’t be bringing the multi-million dollar economic boost it does to the region each year. Since 1968, Kreskas Bros. Transport has been at the forefront of the transport and logistics industry, and has made a name for itself as being one of the largest regional road carrier companies into and out of the Port of Melbourne. The business began with a simple motto; to treat its customers’ businesses like its own. In 1968, Arthur Kreskas began by carrying fresh fruit and vegetables between Shepparton and the Footscray Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market in Melbourne with a 1957 Dodge tray truck. Today, the third generation; sons Les and John continue Arthur’s legacy and with the cooperative efforts of all their valued employees, continue to provide the best possible service to

their clients, offering consistent service at the highest level and with the latest in equipment and innovation. Kreskas Bros. Transport General Manager, Peter Hill said, “We move several thousand containers annually between the Port of Melbourne and the Goulburn Valley for many food and manufacturing businesses in the region, it’s an essential way for them to showcase their product worldwide. Our role is to provide the most effective and efficient pathway for our clients to operate in highly competitive international markets. “As well as supporting the many businesses around the region, including our local suppliers, we also assist a lot of the locals

TRANSPORT INDUSTRY SUCCESS… From left, Kreskas Bros Transport Administration Assistant, Jackie Skurrie, Fleet Controller, Gary Stagg, Operations Manager, Matt Pepperell, Yard Supervisor, Lenny O’Sullivan and General Manager, Peter Hill. Photo: David Lee.

with employment. We have many young people working with us. In fact, our operations manager who is 27 years old started with us as a cadet at 20 and one of his fleet controllers is 22. Our workshop and Distribution Centre

We move several thousand containers annually between the Port of Melbourne and the Goulburn Valley for many food and manufacturing businesses in the region, it’s an essential way for them to showcase their product worldwide

have young teams with a couple of the guys in their early and mid 20s. We pride ourselves in providing opportunities in the transport industry for people in the Goulburn Valley. It’s a great place to live and work. “As both members and representatives within a number of professional associations, including the Victorian Transport Association, we keep abreast of the most recent developments for the industries we serve. It is because of this that we have been able to really help our clients put the Goulburn Valley on the map and to keep it there.”

The Shepparton Adviser - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - August 2015 Page 41

Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

Keeping the wheels turning in the transport industry It’s an industry that doesn’t stop and we help to keep the wheels turning for the transport industry in our region and right across the country.

SERVICE TO TRANSPORT INDUSTRY… Graham Thomson Motors General Manager, Gerard Michel and the team at Graham Thomson Motors helps to service the transport industry in the Goulburn Valley. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

WITH the Goulburn Valley being one of the largest regional transport hubs in the country it is no surprise there are many transport service industries that have grown as the need for more transport has grown. Having been servicing the region for over 30 years, Graham Thomson Motors services more than 2,000 accounts across the region including the major transport operators through to the owner/operator and customers who don’t necessarily have transport as their core business. Graham Thomson Motors General Manager, Gerard Michel said, “We provide support for the transport sector across many different vocations including general freight, livestock, refrigerated transport, grain, tanker and construction including tippers and concrete agitators. “It’s an industry that doesn’t stop and we help to keep the wheels turning for the transport industry in our region and right across the country. “In a region with such a strong transport sector, an industry such as ours is an intricate part. We see our dealership as a business partner to our clients offering value to their operation across all of our departments, sales, service and spare parts. “Transport is growing as the population and consumption increases and the industry has to move as it grows in terms of safety and efficiencies to accommodate this freight task growth.”

Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

Moving with an ever changing industry

TRANSPORT SUPPORT… Taig Bros Spare Parts Consultant, Stephanie Lennie, Dealer Principal, John Taig, Service Foreman, Glen Vallender and Isuzu Sales Manager, Merv Walker. Photo: David Lee.

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“There have been a lot of things that IN an ever changing transport industry, it have brought about change in the transport is important to keep up with the latest and industry. greatest in order for the Goulburn Valley “The face of the transport industry is always region’s manufacturing and production changing and it’s important to keep up with it industries to continue to thrive. to ensure the success of the region. Since 1947, Taig Bros has been providing “The growth factor of the transport industry service to the region’s transport industry and depends on the products produced and today services 700 businesses and farmers manufactured here. in the Goulburn Valley and Riverina regions “The productivity of the Goulburn Valley is including Sali’s Transport, Fred’s Transport, the driving factor of the transport industry. Gattuso Transport, Leocata’s Transport as “As the region well as many businesses grows, the industry with small trucks such The productivity will grow. I see some as tradies, councils, GV Water, Goulburn Murray of the Goulburn Valley good things happening the way of Water and Cleave’s is the driving factor of inmanufacturing and the Garden Supplies. need for our products Taig Bros Dealer the transport industry. to go offshore. Principal, John Taig said, “Because of the “The demographics of region’s ability to produce a lot of product, and the transport industry and industry in general we do produce a lot of good, quality and clean have changed a lot over the years. Most products, it will flourish.” of the larger companies organise their own transport or use rail.

Our Goulburn Valley

8 year transport

Transport

snapshot of the sector in Greater Shepparton

SOURCE: Greater Shepparton City Council

976

2014

2013

2010

$319.962M 2012

2010

Employed

964

2012

2013

2014

2015

Employed

976

2011

$268.222M

OVER

2011

964

$2B $231.413M

1,031

2010

2008

$276.927M

$231.413M

Employed

964

2007

$247.161M

$234.846M

Employed in the Transport sector 2010

2015

$243.788M

output from region from 2007 to 2015

The Shepparton Adviser - Our Goulburn Valley A Resourceful Rich Region - August 2015 Page 45

Our Goulburn Valley

Transport PASSIONATE ABOUT ROAD SAFETY… From left, DECA Business Manager Warren Smith, Administration Officers, Holly Santavec and Robyn Guilmartin and Acting Coordinator, Darryn King. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

Innovative training brings 1000s to Shepparton In Australia, our truck drivers travel more than four billion kilometres every year, that number, along with the number of heavy vehicles on the road is only set to increase.

FOR more than four decades now, Shepparton’s own Driver Education Centre of Australia, DECA has led the way in preparing, training and assessing tens of thousands of Australian road users for their future driving careers. DECA was first established back in 1974, on just under 100 acres just off Wanganui Road in Shepparton, by former police detective Eric Montgomery. Eric’s primary vision was to create a training facility, which would help reduce the road toll and make our

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roads safer. DECA has since grown into the nation’s premier provider of driver education and training services, working alongside some of Australia’s largest industries, sharing knowledge and expertise to develop a wide range of industry-relevant courses. DECA now employs a team of 18 passionate staff who all share the ultimate vision to make a meaningful contribution to the safety of Australian drivers and to the health of the transport industry by creating a safe environment for all road users. From teaching school aged children, in the iconic Australian careful cobber cars, to training adolescents - assisting high school aged children with driving lessons and beyond; teaching professional driving to those wishing to join the transport industry. Business Manager, Warren Smith said, “For us, the safety of road users is paramount, we are always looking to create a modern and engaging learning environment for all drivers. “It is this very key value that has driven us to initiate such training courses as the Rollover Awareness Program, which aims to provide drivers with additional knowledge and understanding of just how easy it can be to roll a truck; and the difference as little as 4-5kms can make for a heavy vehicle. “In Australia, our truck drivers travel more than four billion kilometres every year, that number, along with the number of heavy vehicles on the road is only set to increase. For a city that relies so heavily on our transport industry, it is imperative that we assist our drivers through education

and simulated experiences, it is our job to educate and inform. “Ideally we would like to see every road user trained to drive as a professional – particularly those in the heavy vehicle market.” As the road transport industry continues to grow, the team at DECA are also working continuously to improve driver-training programs in order to ensure safety on our roads, not only in the Goulburn Valley, but across our nation. The foresight of DECA in the 1970s has since bought a huge amount of business to Shepparton – another exceptional Shepparton success story.

Facts Our region covers a total area of around 10,900 square kilometres or 5 percent of Victoria’s total area and is home to approximately 124,900 people

Our Goulburn Valley

Services

WHILE there are many innovative and resourceful businesses and organisations around Our Goulburn Valley, without the support of valuable services such as legal, accounting, insurance, work wear, transport, advertising and aged care services, their successes may not have led to the flourishing region we have today.

FINANCIAL EDUCATION STRENGTHENS LOCAL BUSINESSES… Metzke + Allen have been supporting the business and farming communities of the Goulburn Valley for more than 40 years. From left, Directors, Gavin Napier, Russell Allen, Michelle Collins and Simon Law. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

Business advice vital for local industries In any business it is vital to have a solid financial foundation in which to build upon. Strategic financial management plans and supportive taxation and accounting advice is imperative for all businesses. For more than 40 years, the business and farming industries of the Goulburn Valley have enlisted the support of Metzke + Allen Chartered Accountants and Financial Advisers to assist in the assurance of their

financial futures. Director, Michelle Collins says, “The Metzke + Allen business has been built on a reputation of integrity and professionalism. For us it’s all about empowering business owners through providing them with ongoing financial education. It is imperative if we want businesses to survive, that we ensure they have the tools they need to do so. Metzke + Allen’s Chartered Accountants

and Financial Advisers provide taxation, accounting, superannuation and financial planning advice across a number of fields including business management reporting, taxation consulting, audit and risk, computer and IT consulting, superannuation fund administration, investment and retirement financial planning, estate and succession planning and business development. Primary producers across the Goulburn Valley, like fourth generation Orchardist, Andrew Plunkett have benefited greatly from the support of Metzke + Allen’s industry knowledge. Andrew said, “Our family businesses have utilised the services of Metzke + Allen for many years. The firm’s intimate knowledge of our business means that we not only have great faith in their opinions and advice, but that any of our queries can be answered on the spot.” The Metzke + Allen team is comprised of four directors and 30 team members; the business has been assisting businesses across the Goulburn Valley for many generations and have a vision to build on established business, ensuring their continued support is sustainable into the future.

Distributor makes Australia’s top 200 An independent rural supplies distributor has put Shepparton on the map as the business proudly makes Australia’s top 200 list of the largest independently owned companies in the country. Developed to support independent rural retail stores compete against their corporate or franchise competitors, Shepparton conceived, AIRR is a member-based buying group who wholesale to independent rural merchandise and pet and produce stores. Fiercely passionate about keeping independents ‘in the game’, Founding Owner and Managing Director, Peter Law established the business in 2006. Peter said, “The need for independents to align has never been more necessary than today.

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“AIRR is a one-stop distributor for everything the independent rural supplier needs to stock. “Our customers benefit from not having too much capital tied up in stock; they can buy one or two of anything, at anytime, meaning they can increase their range, whilst lowering their initial investment. “AIRR does the settlement of all invoices for its clients, one delivery, one bill – it’s a simple solution.” AIRR now has a member-base of 400 retailers across the nation and stocks over 100,000 product lines from over 650 suppliers. The business has also created its own brand of chemicals known as Apparent, the brand has proven very popular amongst retailers and now records annual sales of approximately $40M.

The AIRR network consists of 8 warehouses nationally where products are picked, packed and dispatched to a huge variety of rural destinations. The organisation employs more than 100 people and with AIRR’s head office located on Drummond Road in Shepparton, Peter says, “The location is perfect, being central to everything, everywhere.” Peter’s sound belief in the importance of independents has been the solid foundation in which he has built his business upon; that coupled with innovative ‘house-brand’ products and his simple strategy of always paying his bills on time - has seen the business double in growth year on year for the past 9 years, with no sign of slowing down any time soon.

EXPERT ADVICE ASSISTS LOCAL FARMERS… From left, members of IK Caldwell’s highly skilled team, Field Officer, Cyril Tricarico, General Manager David Jobling, Technical Services, Michael Dwyer and Ruaan DuPlessis. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

Our Goulburn Valley

Services

At the forefront of technology Farmers reap rewards of harvested knowledge “We know the farmers, we know the land and the regions and we employ local people. IT can be tough for farmers to be successful in their own right, but local farmers have seen the region achieve its reputation as the ‘food bowl’ of Australia, through the ongoing support and expertise offered by local agronomic service provider of 57 years, IK Caldwell. Independently owned and based in the Goulburn Valley, IK Caldwell was first established by Ivo ‘Keith’ Caldwell in 1960. Since its establishment the IK Caldwell business has been delivering a range of agronomic services to farming clients across both Victoria and southern NSW. IK Caldwell’s team have assisted many major growers in the Goulburn Valley, such as Dookie Broadacre Farmers, Paul and Noel O’Sullivan. Noel stated, “We grow wheat, canola, hay and oats on our property and in our industry, timing is critical; whether it’s chemical or fertiliser application when we need it, we need it. “The IK Caldwell team are unbelievable with their service and knowledge. I don’t know where we’d be without having had their assistance over the last 30 years.” The extensive agronomic team of seven horticulturists and 32 agronomists deliver a range of services including on-farm advice on pest, disease and weed management,

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insect trap monitoring, orchard monitoring, crop inspections, farm mapping, soil moisture monitoring, nutrition advice, disease/frost warnings and a suite of analytical services. These services have seen many local growers benefit greatly across the industries of Broadacre crops, horticulture, viticulture, fodder, rice as well as summer crops throughout not only the Goulburn Valley but Northern Victoria and the Southern Riverina regions as well. As well as comprehensive fee for service programs, IK Caldwell are also a huge supplier of bulk farm chemicals. General Manager, David Jobling has been with the business for 23 years and said, “Our business has seen farmers through some of the toughest times imaginable, drought, floods, disease and the ‘70’s tree pulling scheme. “We know the farmers, we know the land and the regions and we employ local people. “Our job is to stay at the forefront of technology. This is the key to our business, to enable us to remain relevant and continue to bring the latest information and technology to the farmer. It’s an investment in our future.” In 2013 the IK Caldwell business merged with Forbes (NSW) based, AGnVET, a 100 year old company that now employs over 300 staff, inclusive of some 90 tertiary qualified staff, giving the business the opportunity to ensure its future as an independent for many years to come. IK Caldwell is another local success story, showcasing the innovation and vision born in the Goulburn Valley.