Winners of the first awards to acknowledge the achievements of individuals and businesses in Australia’s organic industry, The Australian Organic Awards were announced on Friday last week.
Presented by independent senator, Nick Xenophon at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide, the inaugural Australian Organic Award winners were:
- Australian Organic Young Leader Award, Aimee of TOM Organics feminine hygiene products
- Export Market Award, Vanya Cullen from Cullen Wines
- Best Certified Organic Small Store Retailer, Queensland franchise Wray Organic
- Organic Innovation Award, Children’s health and snack food manufacturer Whole Kids
- Industry Leadership Award, raw chocolatiers Loving Earth
- Chairman’s Award for Organic Industry Integrity Monika Fiebig, a South Australian wholesaler of certified organic fruit and vegetables
- The Organic Hall of Fame Award, Rosemary and Gavin Dunn from Four Leaf Milling
CEO of Australian Organic, Paul Stadhams says it’s great to be able to acknowledge people and businesses that have contributed so much to the growth of the organic industry.
“The Hall of Fame is an award I’m particularly proud to introduce because there are so many people who have laboured for such a long time to create the profitable, robust and growing industry that organics is today," he said.
“Rosemary and Gavin Dunne have volunteered so much of their time to develop the industry, as well as juggle a very successful milling business in South Australia.
“It’s thanks to early pioneers like the Dunns for developing market access niches and options and giving consumers a choice about what sort of food they eat. Congratulations to all the award winners.”