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New president for Cider Australia

A new president will lead the Australian cider industry body into the new year as cider producers celebrate a renewed sense of allegiance to locally grown produce.

Sam Reid of Tasmania’s Willie Smith’s Cider Makers will step down after six and a half years as president of Cider Australia and one year as Vice President.

“I am proud to have led the charge to establish a sustainable craft cider category in Australia, navigating the ongoing challenge of policy and legislative reform while establishing a marketable 100 per cent Australian Grown cider brand. Joining forces with Wine Australia through the Export and Regional Wine Support Package Cider Program has been a highlight over the past few years and has enabled our vision for the industry to come to life. I feel the industry is now at a point where people recognise and value quality Australian craft ciders, and that is immensely rewarding,” said Reid.

“I am pleased to announce that Warwick Billings of LOBO Cider in the Adelaide Hills will take on the role of President of Cider Australia from 1 January 2021″.

Billings joined the Executive team in 2014 as vice president and chair of the policy and technical working group and more recently also took on the role of chief steward of the Australian Cider Awards.

“He is astute and highly motivated and I and the Executive team have great confidence that his guidance will serve the industry well,” said Reid.

“Warwick has been making fantastic, interesting ciders for some time now and is well placed to continue to take us cider tragics on a great journey into the future.”

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