Our Goulburn Valley 2017

92 Pages of success in the Goulburn Valley Welcome to

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Our Goulburn Valley - Building a prosperous region together A special magazine highlighting many success stories in our great Goulburn Valley region.

Contents

newspaper team.

4

Goulburn Valley thrives on infrastructure and building boom

18

Unique form of dairy products enter the market from the Goulburn Valley

36

Inspiring the community through creative infrastructure

4

2016 population statistics

20

Pental ramps up production in Shepparton

37

5

Goulburn Valley’s Gross Regional Product rises to $7.517B

20

200 local wines from 35 wineries proves a winner

Confidence returns as commercial sector booms

40

Total number of registered businesses within the Goulburn Valley

22

80,000 cubic metres of concrete builds strong foundations

66

42

New $4M home for Jaguar, Land Rover and Honda

Education and the arts lead to a thriving community

68

New look, state-of-the-art health redevelopment

Education contributes to region’s $1.705B total economic output

68

Local artist talent contributes to economic growth

5 5

Total employment numbers for the Goulburn Valley

5

Total numbers of visitors to the Goulburn Valley

8

Greater Shepparton in 2037

8

Success breeds success in the Goulburn Valley

9

A word from former local, Anson Cameron

9

Growing our region through community participation

9

9

The future vision for the Goulburn Valley from locals, Adam Furphy, Lance Woodhouse and Kerri Rivett Bringing community news directly into the home for 33 years

10-11 Message from the Prime Minister and dignitaries

12 - 23 Primary Industries & Consumer Goods 12 14

A powerhouse of production in the community The Goulburn Valley: Pear capital of Australia

16

Stock firm hits 170,000 tonne mark

16

$35M expansion proves region is strong

18

Putting Victoria’s dairy in homes across the country

22

SPC continues to support our region Find A Farm and Fodder Finder success

44

24 - 31 Engineering & Manufacturing 24 25

Creating a growing region 1,500m2 building completed with Furphy expansion

26

50 years of engineering advancements

27

International deal a boost to the local economy

28

Homegrown success recognised nationally

28

Total manufacturing economic output for the Goulburn Valley

30

Furphy Foundry set to expand

30

Continued investment in pallet equipment pays off

32 - 52 Infrastructure & Construction 32

Infrastructure booming across the GV

33

A family dedicated to the growth of the Goulburn Valley

34

Inspiring innovation across the Goulburn Valley and beyond

35

Local firm hits over 70 modulars per annum

66 - 68 Education & the Arts

45

Big growth across all property sectors predicted

48

Local firm helps shape GV

50

Adding to the strength of the industry

50

Residential boom across the region

52

Multi-million dollar court precinct taking shape

69

Servicing the Goulburn Valley to ensure success

52

$34.5M new SAM; a coup for region

70

44 years of service to the region

72

Multifaceted approach to supporting the community

74

Gouge set for major expansion

76

Adding to a land of expansion and growth

78

Keeping trucks on the road

80

Built on nuts and bolts

82

Rewarding the Goulburn Valley community by giving back

84

Growing from strength to strength

84

Industry across the region relies on mechanics

53 - 65 Transport

69 - 90 Services

53

Transport driving the region

54

Trucking into the future

56

State-of-the-art weighbridge opens

58

A family with trucking in their blood

58

Total number of registered trucks

58

Total economic export impact

58

Total economic import impact

60

Substantial effect on economic impact of transport industry

86

Communication links critical to Goulburn Valley businesses

62

National transport moving the region forward

87

Cutting edge equipment and staff keys to imaging group

63

Australia-wide success for local business

88

64

90,000 cubic metres of furniture moved across the country

Closing the gap between Shepparton and Melbourne

89

Independent parts business offers flexibility

90

Local people, covering local people

65

Vehicle rental and storage sheds business expands

On the cover Our Goulburn Valley…Building a Prosperous Region Together is published by The Adviser with the dedication and excellent teamwork of our Editorial team: David Lee, Nikki Garner and Alicia Niglia, Production team: Mathieu Ryan, Sandra Saenz, Joshua Di Girolamo, Advertising team: Melanie Spencer, Bronwen Timothee, Geoff Vallance, Casey Eckel and Joshua Di Girolamo. Administration team: Helen Hartmann, Eileen Turner and Cindy Dunn. General Manager: Will Adams and Managing Director: Geoff Adams.

Throughout this publication there are approximately 500 faces of people from across the Goulburn Valley.

*The front cover depicts some of the key working cogs of the Goulburn Valley and includes local artist, Nicky Kriss, Varapodio Orchards owner, Rocky Varapodio, Pental engineering manager, Paul Moore and manufacturing manager, Carmine Conte, SPC factory manager for plastics, Liz Edwards, Rubicon Water manager - product and solutions head, Matthew Collins, a welder from Maddison Wright Engineering, GV Health CEO, Trevor Saunders, Gouge Garment & Linen Services directors, Rob and Phil Priestly, Taig Bros dealer principal, John Taig, How Now Dairy owners, Cathy Palmer and Les Sandles and PJ’s Concrete Pumping working on the new Shepparton Law Courts Precinct.

219-225 Wyndham Street, Shepparton T 5832 8900 F 5832 8920 www.sheppartonadviser.com.au

The Shepparton Adviser - Our Goulburn Valley Building a prosperous region together - August/September 2017 Page 3

Our Goulburn Valley

An Introduction

Goulburn Valley thrives on infrastructure and building boom WELCOME to this special 92 page publication – Our Goulburn Valley: Building a Prosperous Region Together…a magazine that puts the spotlight on many of the region’s success stories that continue to lay the foundations for prosperity for generations to come.

At the heart of our success over several generations is our land and water, mixed with a healthy dose of innovative people who are maximising their opportunities.

The success stories are countless across a large range of enterprises right here in the Goulburn Valley.

No one is surprised when mentioning that the Goulburn Valley and Shepparton have experienced tough times over the last 10 years, recovering from the worst drought in 100 years, the lack of infrastructure spending over many years and experiencing a range of social problems.

BUT and a big but it is; the Goulburn Valley and Shepparton is now experiencing an infrastructure and building boom not seen for many years.

With this in mind, The Adviser publishing team takes this special opportunity to highlight a magnificent range of success stories from a huge range of business across many business sectors.

When researching for this special publication, it was difficult to prioritise the success stories, as they are all success stories in their own right!

Few would know of the scale of the Drummond Road business in Shepparton called Australian Independent Rural Retailers PTY LTD. Some might know of the retail store there, but it is much more than that. Peter Law established the business in Shepparton in 2006 as a member based wholesale business for Independent Rural Retailers in Northern Victoria. Today the business turns over approximately $360M, and has eight large warehouses located nationally servicing over 400 member retail stores and hundreds more stores as wholesale clients. Shepparton remains as the businesses head office. Rubicon Water based in Wheeler Street, Shepparton continues to be a stand-out with major export drives of their world class automated channel technology for the irrigation sectors in China, India and the US, general manager Farm Connect, Peter Moller told Our Goulburn Valley magazine. The company

employs 140 people and is expanding. Read more in this publication.

Pactum Dairy gets a mention as it continues to expand at a rapid rate, with in excess of $35M spent on their plant’s latest upgrade. The iconic SPC Coca Cola continues to reinvest with exciting new food products being released including their Goulburn Valley Peaches and Crunch, diced peaches in apple and cranberry puree with almond, coconut and chia crunch, available in a range of delicious fruits all grown in the Goulburn Valley.

The Dowell Windows expansion should prove a great success for Shepparton as it moves into the old Bunnings Warehouse site on Benalla Road, and is expected to be fully operational from the first half of 2018. A quiet achiever among Shepparton’s successful businesses is PJ’s Concrete Pumping business, headed up by Peter Don with his son, Keelan. The list of jobs they have done in the region is quiet extraordinary.

One which is a real stand-out is the concrete pumping up to five storeys of the new Shepparton Law Courts Precinct. It’s difficult to miss their state-of-the-art equipment in operation.

Families such as Copulos continue to have huge faith in Shepparton, always reinvesting in projects throughout the city. One of their pet projects, Riverside Plaza shopping centre, has experienced strong growth with the addition of several businesses setting up shop in the complex at Kialla in the last 12 months. A sleeper has been the Nind family who operate the highly successful Inter C ont inent al S pare s busine ss on Numurkah Road, north Shepparton. Moving from the Swan Hill district approximately 30 years ago to Shepparton, they have developed their business in truck spares, semi- trailers, refrigerated trailers, shipping containers, and storage. The business is run by Jack Nind with his son, Scott.

CONSTRUCTION BOOM… Stand-out buildings that have recently been constructed are: The new Bunnings Warehouse at 19,500m2 on Benalla Road, the second largest in Victoria, the state-of-the-art Goulburn Valley Dental Group building on Nixon Street, Byers Electrical on Benalla Road, the new major expansion of the Quality Hotel Parklake, which

A strong population IN just a 12 month period, 2,034 additional people have decided to make the Goulburn Valley their home, with statistics gathered in 2015 reporting a regional population of 138,759 and the latest data showing that 140,793 people now call the Goulburn Valley home.

TOTAL FOR ALL OF GOULBURN VALLEY:

2016 - 140,793

has added 30 rooms taking it up to 90 rooms on Wyndham Street.

Although these projects have recently been completed, and have added great value to our region, it’s also the projects that are currently under construction and that are on the drawing boards that are extremely exciting for Shepparton and the wider Goulburn Valley community.

There are $100s of millions of dollars being invested in the region: Greater Shepparton City Council’s Shepparton Regional Sports Precinct is a $19M development in an advanced state in North Shepparton. This special investment has huge, positive ramifications for the Goulburn Valley, as it will be a significant sporting complex.

The five storey $73M Sheppar ton L aw Courts rises from the corner of Wyndham and High Streets. This special project will house six courtrooms and service the legal fraternity in northern Victoria and southern NSW. Stage one is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

The $168.52M redevelopment of GV Health will be a boon for the Goulburn Valley as Shepparton stamps its mark on being a large health services provider for northern Victoria and southern NSW. Work on the huge project is expected to start at the end of this year and be completed in 2020.

The arts in our region will receive a massive boost with the construction of the $34.5M Shepparton Art Museum (SAM). The state-of-the-ar t architecturally designed five storey, contemporary building designed by world renowned architectural firm, Denton Corker Marshall will create 72 jobs in the construction phase and will provide a great central meeting place for 1,000s of locals and visitors on the banks of Victoria Park Lake. A world class collection of ceramics and indigenous art will be housed at the new SAM. Education is a major draw card to the Goulburn Valley and particularly Shepparton. Joining the list of major projects currently under construction in this important sector for our future are: the $9.5M Trade and Skills Centre taking shape on Archer Street, behind McGuire College. The brainchild of the Better Together Alliance, it is a collaboration between Wanganui Park Secondary College, Mooroopna Secondary College, McGuire College, Shepparton High

GREATER SHEPPARTON

MOIRA SHIRE

The annual change of population from 2015 to 2016 2015 – 63,366 2016 – 65,076

The annual change of population from 2015 to 2016 2015 – 28,820 2016 – 28,887

+1,710 +67

Page 4 August/September 2017 - Our Goulburn Valley Building a prosperous region together - The Shepparton Adviser

School and GOTAFE. The primary courses offered will be trade-related in the building and construction field. “It will be an amazing facility,” Better Together Alliance representative and principal of McGuire College, Brad Moyle said.

It is expected to open mid 2018.

Local businessman, Kevin Hicks of Kevin Hicks Real Estate told Our Goulburn Valley magazine that the next 10 years in the Goulburn Valley will be way more exciting. “We had flatlined for the last 10 or so years particularly in the retail, commercial and residential property space, but the future looks very good,” Kevin said.

Having said that, dryland farming had doubled in value in the last 10 years. Referring to the water infrastructure projects that have been underway for several years, Kevin said: “They are currently fixing the irrigation for the next 50 years, we have an A Grade irrigation sector and we have the best opportunity for horticulture, fruit and dairy efficiencies. We’re the land of opportunity which has been generational during the 1940s, ‘50s, ‘60s and to date with our influx of migrants.” He added that first home buyers were more active in the last 12 months, compared to the previous two years in land sales.

Partner of Jarvis Delahey Contractors, a local excavation and earthmoving business, Richard Jarvis, was very upbeat about the infrastructure activity in the Goulburn Valley. Road and drainage upgrades throughout the region were strong. Being in the drainage business, he sees tremendous potential for the region with our quality of water for agriculture. “Our clean water is among the purist you can get allowing for healthier produce from our farmers for the domestic market and significantly for the Asia markets, particularly China,” Richard told Our Goulburn Valley magazine. “We have world class food thanks to our bio secure water. The challenge for our region is to transport it directly into Asia by air. Imagine a freight service from Shepparton of our fresh produce and product,” he said.

We at The Adviser hope you enjoy reading about many of the above families and businesses along with many more who are featured in this specially compiled Our Goulburn Valley magazine….

Building a Prosperous Region Together.

SHIRE OF CAMPASPE

STRATHBOGIE SHIRE

The annual change of population from 2015 to 2016 2015 – 36,747 2016 – 36,872

The annual change of population from 2015 to 2016 2015 – 9,826 2016 – 9,958

+125 +132

Our Goulburn Valley

An Introduction

Goulburn Valley’s Gross Regional Product rises to $7.517B GROWTH and prosperity is what the latest statistics provided through REMPLAN data incorporating Australian Bureau of Statistics June 2016 Gross State Product, 2013 / 2014 National Input Output Tables and 2011 Census Place of Work Employment Data, are showing, with the Goulburn Valley’s total Gross Regional Product (GRP), or net measure of wealth generated by the region, hitting just over $7.517B, an increase of just over $346M compared to 2015 data.

Greater Shepparton represents 25.65 percent of Hume Region’s GRP of $14.691B and 3.92 percent of Victoria’s Gross State Product (GSP) of $374.435B. Moira’ Gross Regional Product is estimated at $1.333B. Moira represents 9.07 percent of

Hume Region’s GRP of $14.691B, 6.14 percent of Murray River Region’s GRP of $21.718B, 0.36 percent of Victoria’s Gross State Product (GSP) of $374.435B and 0.08 percent of Australia’s GRP of $1.655T. Campaspe’s Gross Regional Product is estimated at $1.952B. Campaspe represents 12.23 percent of Loddon Mallee Region’s GRP of $15.956B, 0.52 percent of Victoria’s Gross State Product (GSP) of $374.435B and 0.12 percent of Australia’s GRP of $1.655T. Strathbogie’ Gross Regional Product is estimated at $463.790M. Strathbogie represents 3.16 percent of Hume Region’s GRP of $14.691B, 0.12 percent of Victoria’s Gross State Product (GSP) of $374.435B and 0.03 percent of Australia’s GRP of $1.655T.

Total GRP for the Goulburn Valley - $7.517B Greater Shepparton $3.769B Household Consumption................ $2,877.710M Government Consumption................ $879.769M Private Gross Fixed Capital Expenditure.................................$1,141.875M Public Gross Fixed Capital Expenditure..................................$232.969M Gross Regional Expenses..... $5,132.323M plus Regional Exports................$2,850.064M minus Domestic Imports.......... -$3,336.480M minus Overseas Imports.............. -$876.891M GRP............................................$3,769.017M Moira Shire $1.332B Household Consumption............... $1,338.882M Government Consumption...............$369.288 M Private Gross Fixed Capital Expenditure.................................. $478.425M Public Gross Fixed Capital Expenditure.$97.790M Gross Regional Expenses....$2,284.385 M plus Regional Exports.................$1,032.497M minus Domestic Imports............-$1,742.394M minus Overseas Imports.............. -$241.684M GRP........................................... $1,332.805M

Strathbogie Shire $463.790M Household Consumption...................$451.547M Government Consumption................. $124.129M Private Gross Fixed Capital Expenditure...................... $170.360M Public Gross Fixed Capital Expenditure.$32.870M Gross Regional Expenses........ $778.906M plus Regional Exports...................$359.832M minus Domestic Imports..............-$610.693M minus Overseas Imports................-$64.256M GRP.............................................. $463.790M Shire of Campaspe $1.951B Household Consumption.................$1,731.158M Government Consumption................ $504.163M Private Gross Fixed Capital Expenditure.................................. $662.887M Public Gross Fixed Capital Expenditure.................................. $133.506M Gross Regional Expenses......$3,031.713M plus Regional Exports................. $1,541.424M minus Domestic Imports............-$2,157.784M minus Overseas Imports..............-$463.709M GRP............................................$1,951.644M

Region’s business boom

OVER the past 12 months, there has been a boom in the number of businesses registered across the Goulburn Valley, and a healthy business sector means a healthy community. In 2015, there was a grand total of 14,617 businesses registered across Greater Shepparton, Moira Shire, Shire of Campaspe and Strathbogie Shire, but this has jumped by 7,853, with the latest data revealing there are now 22,470 businesses working to provide everything that our growing communities need.

TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED BUSINESSES WITHIN THE GOULBURN VALLEY

22,470 GREATER SHEPPARTON

6,281

MOIRA SHIRE

5,835

SHIRE OF CAMPASPE

8,114

STRATHBOGIE SHIRE

2,240

Working toward a bright future

ACCORDING to the latest statistics there are 55,695 people across the Goulburn Valley who are working toward a bright future.

TOTAL EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS FOR GOULBURN VALLEY

55,695

GREATER SHEPPARTON

MOIRA SHIRE

SHIRE OF CAMPASPE

STRATHBOGIE SHIRE

30,035 9,164 13,430 3,066 Visitors flock to the Goulburn Valley

ON AVERAGE approximately 2.789M people flock to the Goulburn Valley each year, bringing with them an economic boost of approximately $681M, and those numbers are growing.

TOTAL NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE GOULBURN VALLEY IN 2015 – 2.789M TOTAL ECONOMIC BOOST

$681,000,000 GREATER SHEPPARTON VISITORS

MOIRA SHIRE VISITORS

SHIRE OF CAMPASPE VISITORS

STRATHBOGIE SHIRE VISITORS Economic boost - $87M

1,002,000

550,000

980,000

Economic boost - $229M

Economic boost - $144M

Economic boost - $221M

257,000

The Shepparton Adviser - Our Goulburn Valley Building a prosperous region together - August/September 2017 Page 5

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The Shepparton Adviser - Our Goulburn Valley Building a prosperous region together - August/September 2017 Page 7

Our Goulburn Valley

Local Visionary

Greater Shepparton in 2037

BY COMMITTEE FOR GREATER SHEPPARTON (C4GS) CEO, SAM BIRRELL WHERE is Greater Shepparton going to be in twenty years’ time?

Here are a few ideas…

INDUSTRY: Fresh produce is being exported in great tonnage to China, flying from the new Shepparton airport. Goulburn Valley apples, pears, peaches and milk are in such demand in the supermarkets of Beijing and Shanghai that producers are struggling to keep up with demand. The region had feared that water would be limited for irrigation, however they have convinced government for a more pragmatic approach to water reform.

This, along with constant adaptation of technology has enabled much more production per megalitre of water. Congestion in Melbourne and Sydney has moved manufacturing and government departments to the Greater Shepparton region.

POPULATION: The population of Greater Shepparton is now 125,000, enabled by high-speed rail connectivity and the de-centralisation policies of government and major manufacturing companies. The home ownership dream is alive for a whole new generation of young professionals and tradespeople who have flocked to the region for the work and lifestyle.

ENVIRONMENT: The Goulburn River is back to near perfect health. Murray Cod, once a declining species are now plentiful, and carp have been eradicated. The tourism boom around the redgum forests has led to more protection and

regeneration for this asset. New technology for energy adapted by new industry facilities in Greater Shepparton has meant that the air in the region is among the cleanest for any comparable city in the world.

TOURISM: Tourists are flying into the Shepparton airport from Europe, North America and Asia for the natural and cultural experiences on offer.

‘Clear Sky Dreamtime’ tourism is a big hit, with art lovers coming for the Shepparton Art Museum and staying on for bushland hikes, traditional owner cultural events and a new fad in cuisine combining Asian flavours and indigenous ingredients.

EDUCATION: The adaptation of the Shepparton Education Plan (started in 2017) has been more successful than anyone could have imagined. Shepparton’s government schools are leading the state in innovative ways to approach education for industry in the ‘30s. La Trobe University’s campus has grown significantly, and University of Melbourne has a large campus in Shepparton, along with Dookie College, which is now at capacity as the demand for agricultural science degree places has outstripped demand for law degree places.

Why not?

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE… Committee for Greater Shepparton CEO, Sam Birrell has a few ideas on what the future is going to look like for Greater Shepparton. Photo: Supplied.

Success breeds success in the Goulburn Valley The Adviser team compiling Our Goulburn Valley magazine does not exaggerate when it says that there are too many success stories to cover in this publication. However, we’re proud to be reporting on these good news stories we’ve managed to come across in recent times.

Up there among the best local success stories and in no particular order is Western Composting Technology headed up by local, Ken Martin, who is manager – site operations. This highly successful business is processing 20,000 tonnes of green and vegetable waste from our weekly kerbside collection and converting it into high grade compost soil conditioner for large and small scale orchards, farming operations and landscape businesses.

The business, run by the Dickens family, is one of Australia’s leading organic waste management companies and operates on Daldy Road, north Shepparton. The 10 year-old business services six councils, Greater Shepparton City Council, Moira Shire, Strathbogie Shire, Benalla and Wangaratta City Council and the Surf Coast Shire. The company is set to expand in the coming months.

While researching local success stories, we came across Maddison National Workforce founded by locals, Paul and Sandra Harris, who have developed several related businesses that have flourished. Among the spin-offs are the successful Maddison Wright Engineering and All West Engineering, which was listed in the highly recognised Business Review Weekly (BRW) as the 44th fastest growing business with 275 percent growth in 2014 and 22nd business with 193 percent growth in 2015. They have offices in Telford Drive, Shepparton, Geelong, Tom Price and Perth. They are beating the Western Australians at their own game where they service huge clients such as Rio Tinto. Read more in this edition of Our Goulburn Valley.

The Shepparton region could soon become the solar city region, as it was known for many years in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Several large solar power generated projects are on the drawing boards and advanced in operation near Tatura, and south of Mooroopna. Many projects are waiting for council approval and all going well will offer energy efficiencies we all are

seeking.

Developments completed or under way in the Sheppar ton area include: Fix Muscle Performance, Riverview Dental, Coles Express at the expanding Riverside Plaza, the new $30M Fairleys supermarket and development in north Shepparton, a multi-business development by the Sofra family on the corner of Numurkah Road and Brauman Street, north Shepparton, APCO Service Station and car wash and Shepparton’s Scots’ Church $1.94M redevelopment on the corner of Fryers and Corio Streets. The Emerald Bank complex, south Shepparton is currently undergoing a redevelopment taking in several businesses on site and featuring the highly successful Shepparton Motor Museum, which was host to the first ever classic car auction in regional Victoria, which attracted national interest. Plans are well underway for an exciting future at Emerald Bank and helping this is the redevelopment of The Woolshed, a magnificent wedding and function centre overlooking a large watercourse. The business has expanded thanks to proprietors, Cam and Ange Mangiameli.

Page 8 August/September 2017 - Our Goulburn Valley Building a prosperous region together - The Shepparton Adviser

The f ir s t so d wa s re c ent ly t ur ne d by Shepparton Village’s founding fathers, Lance Woodhouse and Keppel Turnour OAM to the $34M 120 bed aged care development at the Chas Johnson Reserve off Balaclava Road, Shepparton.

The development is due for completion in mid-2018.

With the new addition to the Darryl Twitt Motors’ stable of vehicles of Land Rover and Jaguar, the construction of a $4M state-of-the-art showroom is to commence shortly on Benalla Road.

A food and café boom continues apace in the city. Confidence in food and more precisely cafés, has resulted in a new look in Shepparton in the last 12 months with a large number of eateries opening, particularly in Fryers Street. The ABN reported more than 250 new businesses having registered in Shepparton, a clear indication that confidence is returning to the region. Greater Shepparton City Council has received 50 new food business registrations across the municipality.

These are just some of the exciting projects that have been completed or are underway or are being planned in the Goulburn Valley.

Our Goulburn Valley

Local Visionary

Shepparton Art Museum

BY ANSON CAMERON I have just finished reading ‘In Search Of England,’ a classic of travel writing by H.V.Morton, first published in 1927. In every village, town and city Morton visits he first describes the great houses of worship, the cathedrals, abbeys and churches. And then, his duty to God done, he cracks his knuckles and takes a relaxing breath and seeks out the galleries, the museums, the music halls, the recital

centres and libraries, the places of modern cultural learning, socialisation and celebration.

And here the reader can feel Morton’s writing become more focused, more richly fascinated by his subject matter. The money due God is not negotiable, but the money spent on cultural edifice is, so it is here (he seems to be saying) in these precincts, we will find out what this town is made of, what it thinks of itself and of the world. It is here we might judge its commercial success and its intellectual seriousness.

It is here we will find the soul of this place.

A town that has made a serious attempt at art, music and literature, a town that has built an infrastructure for culture, is a community that has the regard of its citizens and faith in its citizens.

Seen in that light, the new Shepparton Art Museum

by Denton Corker Marshall is a profound promise to the future of the Shepparton. A bold building, it seems to be challenging the town to keep pace with the most contemporary cultural centres in Australia.

If the best buildings provide cultural energy to their community, then this one will light the town.

Anson Cameron, was born and raised in Shepparton. He has become a successful author and columnist and is these days based in Melbourne.

Anson’s latest offering is titled Boyhoodlum review: Anson Cameron recalls rascal’s life in country (Shepparton) in the 1960s, it’s well worth a read.

Growing our region through community participation LIONS CLUBS Website: www.lionsclubs. org.au/contact/vic/

KIWANIS CLUBS Shepparton – Phone: (03) 5831 7565

ROTARY CLUBS Website: www.rotary9790. org.au/ClubDirectory

Mooroopna – Phone: (03) 5825 2686 Across the Goulburn Valley – Website: http://aus.kiwanisone.org/ (X(1)S(3f1iiufuo1oizyuxbmorfafl))/ Page/21788

CFA DISTRICT 22 Address: 195-205 Numurkah Road, Shepparton VIC 3630 Phone: (03) 5833 2400

J. Furphy & Sons managing director,

Adam Furphy WHILST our region may be best known for its wonder ful dair y products and fresh and canned fr uit, there is also a strong manufacturing and engineering capacity that has been built with, and alongside, these important industries.

Manufacturing and engineering services continue to be a great strength of the Goulburn Valley both in support of our local food processing industries as well as providing these same capabilities further afield.

If you have a project you need to do – we have the businesses to be able to make it happen all here in the Goulburn Valley.

In the same way the Goulburn Valley is really starting to shape up and position itself for what I think will be terrific success in the future.

Some excellent work in the last few years by people and organisations in the community as well as our council and local political representatives has enabled a consistent and wellarticulated vision for our region to be advanced and followed up in all the right places.

A connected, productive, creative and inclusive community, which will leverage our unique strengths as a region and let more people, both within and outside our region, participate in our continued success and prosperity.

THE COMMUNITY FUND GOULBURN VALLEY Acting CEO, Andrea McNabb – Address: 98 Drummond Road, Shepparton VIC 3630 Phone: (03) 5832 8223 GREATER SHEPPARTON LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT Executive officer, Lisa McKenzie Address: Ground Floor, 40 Welsfrod Street, Shepparton Phone: (03) 5832 8218 Mobile: 0427 212 651

GV YOUNG PROFESSIONALS Email: info@gvyoungprofessionals. com Website: www. gvyoungprofessionals.com/ THE FAIRLEY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM CEO, Michelle Michelle Luscombe – Address: 1st/151-155 Maude Street, Shepparton VIC 3630 Phone: (03) 5831 8420

Chairman of directors for the developers of Kialla Lakes Estate, Kavant Nominees,

Lance Woodhouse

I HAVE lived here in the region for over 60 years. I believe in and promote all positives of living in Shepparton because it’s a great place to be and am all too keen to publicise and support all the great businesses (large and small) which have developed in the region. I also believe in promoting the agricultural expertise of the area and the number of agricultural businesses that help to make the Goulburn Valley what it is.

It is important for us all to work towards making Australia as a whole, and the Goulburn Valley, the foodbowl of the world.

If you think of the large increase of the world’s population and the decrease of the arable land in the world 20 years hence, you will see the importance of this.

Let us be proud of our wonderful assets and work together to try and make our district an even better place for the future.

THE KAIELA INSTITUTE www.kaielainstitute.org.au/ SHEPPARTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY Executive Officer, Lucy Cerrone – Mobile: 0407 503 886

Shepparton Villages CEO,

Kerri Rivett SHEPPARTON Villages is proud to be a part of a growing and thriving community. As the largest provider of aged care in regional Victoria and third largest employer in Sheppar ton, we know that demands on aged care will double in the next thirty years and we are making plans, big plans.

Our new $34M, 120 bed development is under way and will help meet the demand for aged care in this region, provide more local jobs and importantly a home for our elderly, as will subsequent capital works and service provision.

As business and industry continues to grow and thrive, the people of Shepparton will rightly expect services and infrastructure in their home town to cater to their needs as they age. Shepparton Villages is well placed to meet those demands, planning a future where we can live, laugh and prosper together.

Bringing community news directly into the home for 33 years CELEBRATING 33 years publishing in the Goulburn Valley and approximately 46 million copies letterbox delivered free during that period, The Adviser continues to bring community news directly into the household, free.

Combining the resources of our advertising, editorial and production teams, along with administration and our distribution network, with an estimated 70,000 weekly readers, The Adviser continues to be a community newspaper relevant to the Goulburn Valley.

We hear that traditional print media is dying, The Adviser is testament to print being well and truly alive and well and having a great future in our region because The Adviser continues to be an effective and powerful vehicle for business and our community.

The Adviser is proudly produced by the Adams family, a third generation member of the Victorian Country Press Association (VCPA) with GCA Adams (deceased) a past president in 19521955, GJ Adams, a past president in 1982-1984, and current

managing director of The Adviser, GWH Adams, a past president in 2006-2008.

On behalf of the entire Adviser team, who have worked very hard to produce this special edition, and the great support from the many amazing businesses and organisations that call the Goulburn Valley home, we hope you enjoy reading this special edition of Our Goulburn Valley…Building a prosperous region together!

Geoff Adams, Managing Director, The Adviser and Our Goulburn Valley magazine.

OUR REGION’S SUCCESSES… The Adviser managing director with cover of the 2017 edition of Our Goulburn Valley…Building a prosperous region together! Photo: Nicholise Garner.

The Shepparton Adviser - Our Goulburn Valley Building a prosperous region together - August/September 2017 Page 9

Our Goulburn Valley

Messages This is a time of great excitement and opportunity for the Goulburn Valley. While the region has faced challenges, it has also seized the opportunities that come with change

With the Goulburn Valley growing across almost every sector as each year passes, there are many dignitaries across the country, and locally who are proud to see the region’s progression.

These messages allow our readers to hear words of support directly from those leaders who are influential in our region’s continued success.

Prime Minister of Australia,

Malcolm Turnbull THIS is a time of great excitement and opportunity for the Goulburn Valley. While the region has faced challenges, it has also seized the opportunities that come with change. We have seen this in the rise of professional services, tourism, and hospitality - some of the key fields on which so much of Australia’s future relies.

My government is committed to spreading economic benefits across Australia to ensure our regions are vibrant places to live and work. We recently announced $472.2M over four years from 2017-18 to establish a Regional Growth Fund. The fund includes a further $200M for the successful Building Better Regions Fund and $272.2M for major transformation projects that will boost economic growth and create jobs in our regions.

Our commitment to the Goulburn Valley is demonstrated in our $20M Regional Jobs and Investment Package for the Goulburn Valley

Premier of Victoria,

Daniel Andrews FROM Seymour in the south to Echuca in the north, the Goulburn Valley is like nowhere else.

It’s home to some of the finest produce, the most beautiful environment and the best communities in Victoria.

Just as it has its own unique qualities, the Goulburn Valley also has its own unique needs.

It’s why we’re listening and getting with on the things that matter to local people.

We’re rebuilding local rail and roads, including planning that much-needed link between the Midland and Goulburn Valley Highways.

We’re supporting small businesses through our cuts to payroll tax and boosts to local tourism.

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region. This inve s tment w ill help diversify the regional economy, s t i m u l a t e economic growth and deliver sustainable employment i n t h e r e g i o n.

Applications are open until October 19, 2017 and I encourage eligible businesses, local governments and not-for-profit organisations to apply.

My government is committed to strengthening communities in the greater Goulburn Valley, and every single element of our plan is focused on achieving this goal. This is an important new era for the Goulburn Valley, and I am confident that the people of this wonderful part of our nation can look forward to an exciting and prosperous future.

A nd we’re investing in health a nd e duc ation, redeveloping S h e p p a r to n’s GV Health, improving services in Rushwor th and upgrading local schools from Ardmona to Wunghnu.

We’ll keep listening and we’ll keep delivering.

Because the people of Goulburn Valley deserve nothing less.

Our Goulburn Valley

Messages Federal Member for Murray,

Damian Drum THE Goulburn Valley is a hub for innovation and is home to many global leading industries.

Every year our businesses, manufacturers and primary producers develop new technologies and processes that benefit locals, Australians and the global community.

The Goulburn Valley has exciting years ahead with important national infrastructure to be built nearby, such as the inland freight rail linking us to Australia’s major ports, lower tariffs for exports to major trading partners through the Chinese, Korean and Japanese Free Trade Agreements.

This is a time of great opportunities for companies to invest in our expanding industries.

State Member for Shepparton District,

Suzanna Sheed The Goulburn Valley is a rich and productive agricultural region.

We have develop ed indus tr ie s w hich manufacture and supply world-class products.

Our diverse industries support our local primary production in supplying the growing international demand for quality food.

We grow clean and green produce from our farms and dairies, we’re a national centre for road transport logistics and we have a proud history of innovation in such areas as irrigation, manufacturing and engineering.

We continue to face challenges in relation to water security for our region and our GMID Water Leadership Forum is advocating strongly

Member for Northern Victoria,

Wendy Lovell

BEING a Member of Parliament for the Northern Victoria Region allows me the privilege of meeting and working closely with people and businesses right across the Goulburn Valley.

We have thriving industries across a variety of sectors that are continuing to reach new heights, and many of our local businesses are innovators in their fields.

Our region is home to a wonderfully diverse range of successful industries, from agriculture, dairy, horticulture, irrigation, manufacturing, engineering, transport and logistics to healthcare, retail, hospitality, tourism, education and small and big business.

As the Federal Member for Murray I have the opportunity to visit businesses in the Goulburn Valley.

Owners, managers a n d e m p l oye e s who talk with pr ide regarding their business and products. It is a great indicator that the Goulburn Valley has great success to come. Congratulations to all of our businesses and innovators, we should all be proud of our region.

at all levels of gover nment for policies which will ensure that our local indus tr ie s have the confidence to invest, innovate and grow.

T h e s t re n g t h of our region has been our ability to adapt to change, adopt new technologies and show ourselves to be a resourceful and resilient community.

I am proud we have been successful in securing significant government investment in our health services and in vital transport infrastructure that will underpin our continued prosperity.

Our primar y industries are world class and we are working hard to capitalise on our expor t capacity to service growing consumer classes in Asia, for example, which is expected to rise to more than three billion within 10 to 15 years.

The Goulburn Valley is a thriving, growing region and I couldn’t be prouder to represent and work with the people and businesses here.

Greater Shepparton City Council CEO,

Peter Harriott GREATER Shepparton is a progressing region, a hub for industry, retail and services with our central location.

Our internationally competitive agricultural production contributes $900M to Victoria’s economy, producing $1.53B in world exports.

Greater Shepparton is also a national centre for dairy and horticulture, with a $2B world class irrigation network.

The heart of Greater Shepparton equally lies in the businesses that call Greater Shepparton home. With several multinational companies including SPC, Unilever, Pactum Dairy, Campbell’s Soups and more, local success stories continue to encourage new and existing businesses to create their own success stories.

Committee for Greater Shepparton CEO,

Sam Birrell MOMENTUM is a powerful thing. One success leads to another because people say ‘that worked – I’ll try it again.’ You often hear football teams are in form because they are ‘playing with confidence.’

Greater Shepparton is in this space now. After a period of difficulty when we were hit hard by drought and were arguing among ourselves we are starting to have a few wins. These wins encourage us to raise our sights higher. The funding for stage 1 of the GV Health master plan was a great example of what we can achieve when the community speaks with one voice.

The $43.5M funding for passenger rail by the state government is a long overdue commitment to the Shepparton line, but it still lags behind the

Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting president,

Carl Hainsworth 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.

2017 has been a big year for the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the signing of the MoU with Greater Shepparton City Council.

We will be working closely with council to achieve outcomes in employment, training and education. Our youth are the future and we need to retain our young people with sustainable employment in the local area.

Chamber has a representative at both GMLLEN and Careers Day Out. We are endeavouring to

The vision for the future of Greater Shepparton sees a greater future, a thriving economy in the foodbowl of Victoria with excellent lifestyles, in n ovat i ve agriculture, a diverse community and abundant opportunities. With a clean and green climate, strong manufacturing sector and strategic attraction of international, national and state events, we continue to work towards this. *Figures outlined in this message have been sourced from ht tp://economy.id.com.au/ shepparton/home

commitments to other regions. A strong message is being sent as to what is required for our region.

Water policy i s c h a l l e n g i n g, but the ability of farmers to change and adapt is inspiring us all. The overseas markets are there to be tapped by the Goulburn Valley – success requires a combination of innovative farmers, confidence to invest and supportive policy from all levels of government. We are on an upward trajectory, and there are good signs for the future.

forge stronger ties with the Education sector and local schools.

We are now into the 22nd year of our annual business awards which is a great forum for recognition of our local businesses.

Our alliance with the Victoria Chamber of Commerce is strong and benefits members of both organisations to create a stronger voice for the Shepparton business community. 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?

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Primary Industries & Consumer Goods A powerhouse of production in the community THE primary industries and consumer goods sectors are not only something that the Goulburn Valley has been built on, but continues to be a powerhouse when it comes to output, with the region recording a total annual economic output within the primary

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industries sector of more than $1.705B, an increase of $119M from last year’s statistics.

Retail trade has had an economic output of $669.518M recorded across the region, an increase by $72.462M from last year’s statistics.

Our Goulburn Valley

Primary Industries & Consumer Goods

Our Goulburn Valley

Primary Industries & Consumer Goods

The Goulburn Valley: Pear capital of Australia FRESH fruit and vegetables are a go to item for most families. In fact, with so much emphasis on healthy eating, there has been a real shift in recent years to fresh produce. The Goulburn Valley has a strong reputation for having skilled growers and a fantastic climate, which makes it an attractive proposition for companies like Freshmax.

Freshmax work throughout the world to source exciting new fruit and vegetable varieties, which offer better longevity and flavour, and ultimately improved eating characteristics for consumers.

Freshmax IP management and commercialisation, Andrew Maughan said, “The Goulburn Valley is world renowned as the pear capital of Australia. The Goulburn Valley has excellent climatic conditions, a strong heritage and background with 85 percent of Australia’s pears grown in this region, which reliably produces excellent quality pears.

Along with local growers, Freshmax has invested heavily in the region, particularly with new apples and pear varieties. The Honey Belle pear is a small, snack sized pear which matures early in the season making it perfect for export and the Piqa Boo pear is a red skinned cross between Asian and European pears. Both pears are largely grown in the Goulburn Valley.

Andrew said, “Bringing new apple and pear varieties into the Goulburn Valley injects a fresh energy offering real options for growers at a time when processing has dropped along with exciting fruit options for consumers.”

EXCITING NEW FRESH FRUIT VARIETIES… Varapodio Orchards owner, Rocky Varapodio is a Goulburn Valley grower providing new fruit varieties in partnership with Freshmax. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

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Our Goulburn Valley

Primary Industries & Consumer Goods

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Our Goulburn Valley

Primary Industries & Consumer Goods

Stock firm hits 170,000 tonne mark THE Goulburn Valley is known for its primary industries sector and in order to remain a successful industry, feed is required to keep livestock strong and healthy.

Founded by Br yan Irwin in 1989 in the back streets of Richmond, Irwin Stockfeeds began by selling bags of grain and has grown over the years to become one of the leading stockfeed suppliers across the state.

The business’ stronghold in the Goulburn Valley only came to be in July last year, when they took over Kyabram’s D&M Stockfeeds and today has 50 employees at Kyabram, North Melbourne and their Lang Lang site, which has a state-of-the-art Pelletising Mill.

Bryan said, “We are still very much a family run business with my partner managing day-to-day operations and logistics, and three of my children also having joined the business.

“We have traditionally manufactured a wide range of standard and customised meal and pelletised

products predominantly for the dairy, beef, sheep and goat industries.

“The integration of Kyabram has expanded our range to include equine, pig and poultry products as well.

“We sell direct to farms and to a number of wholesalers and retailers in the Goulburn Valley region including WB Hunters, Murray Goulburn Trading Stores, Finns Country Supplies, Dunstalls, Sandhursts Stockfeeders, Tatura Farm Supplies and many others. We also sell bags direct from our Kyabram Mill.

“In the 2016-17 financial year we sold over 170,000 tonnes of stockfeed across our three mills.

“We are 110 percent committed to contributing to the region’s success. We believe the Goulburn Valley is an integral part of the stockfeed industry and purchased the Kyabram Mill with intentions of injecting capital to upgrade and expand the mill’s capabilities to better cater for the Goulburn Valley region,” Bryan said.

We believe the Goulburn Valley is an integral part of the stockfeed industry.

INTEGRAL PART OF INDUSTRY… Founder of Irwin Stockfeeds, Bryan Irwin outside the former D&M Stockfeeds Kyabram facility that Irwin Stockfeeds recently acquired. Photo: Melanie Spencer.

$35M expansion proves

region is strong WHEN significant investment is made in the region, it just goes to prove that there is strong faith in the continued success of the Go u lb ur n Va ll ey. Fre e d o m Fo o ds G ro u p Limited is one such business that has invested and continues to invest heavily in the region, with in excess of $35M spent on their plant’s latest upgrade over the last 12 months alone.

Freedom Foods Group Limited managing dire c tor a n d C EO, Rory J F Macleod said, “We have undertaken significant investment at our site in the last 12 months.

A n increase in filling and processing c a p a c i t y to increa se total output by 50 percent. Aligned to this, we have also installed state-ofthe-art packaging c a p a b i l i t y t o d e l i ve r dif ferent ‘palletising’ and ‘cartoning’ formats for our brands and our customer’s brands.

“We have also insourced all warehousing and logistics, including purchasing the t wo additional warehouses at our Shepparton site on Old Dookie Road.

“Freedom Foods Group now has a total site of approximately 70,000m2, comprising

our UHT operation, services and milk delivery and integrated warehousing. We also own an additional 70,000m2 of land adjacent, reserved for future expansion.

“We have experienced a significant increase in both domestic and export volumes, which is why there has been need for expansion.

“Our nex t st age of expansion will see a significant investment in a specialised dair y nutritional plant that will provide for integration of our UHT operations and milk supply to produce high va lu e a d d e d p rote in components. These will be utilised in our own brands across a range of sports, adult and infant nutrition products, including c a pabilit y to process and package from paddock to can/bottle. “ We see the loc al area as being a key long term quality supply base for dair y milk, with a strategy to build long term partnerships with local farmers based on consistent high quality supply delivering a good return to farmers.

This will enable them to invest and move away from volatility in pricing that has been a feature of the dairy industry in Australia.”

We see the local area as being a key long term quality supply base for dairy milk, with a strategy to build long term partnerships with local farmers based on consistent high quality supply delivering a good return to farmers.

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Our Goulburn Valley

Primary Industries & Consumer Goods

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Our Goulburn Valley

Primary Industries & Consumer Goods

Putting Victoria’s dairy in homes across the country

IMPRESSIVE GROWTH… Owners of How Now Dairy, Cathy Palmer and Les Sandles are local producers of Happy Cow milk and recently became the new owners of Locheilan Farmhouse cheese in Wunghnu. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

ACROSS the Goulburn Valley, more than 457.5 million litres of milk is produced with a farmgate value of $175M, and while there have been some times of recent struggle within the dairy industry, it’s not stopping people from getting into dairy.

New to the local dairy industry are owners of How Now Dairy, Les Sandles and Cathy Palmer; producers of Happy Cow milk and more recently became the new owners of Locheilan Farmhouse cheese in Wunghnu.

Kicking off their production from February this year, and beginning with producing 50L of milk a week, their production has already grown in leaps and bounds, adding to the industry’s success within the region. In just seven months, the duo, along with their now three other staff members are capable of producing 5,000kg of cheese a year, which can be found at Bendigo Wholefoods, around Melbourne, South Australia, NSW and on the menu at Mason’s in Bendigo, and locally at Fairleys IGA, Shepparton Market and Dyson’s IGA in Numurkah. They also now produce close to 1,500L of milk a week that is then sent to Dyson’s IGA in Numurkah and Shepparton Market as well as several areas in Melbourne. And these numbers are set to continue to grow.

Les said, “I had a dairy in the region from earlier in life, and so we

decided to make the tree change from Melbourne and come back to the area to try our hand at producing milk in a more ethical way.

“We started with only 15 cows and now have 70.

“We have already won the Delicious Produce Awards for producing the best milk in Victoria this year, and we hope to build on that.

“Carrying on from the work that Sue and Bruce McGorlick have done with Locheilan Farmhouse cheese, who had been part of the industry since 1984, we are producing Normandy style cheeses including camembert, feta, brie, triple cream and broken and bruiser varieties of blue cheese. We are hoping to expand on this and are exploring halloumi, ricotta and yoghurt cheese.

“We have had amazing feedback for our cheeses. Even French people are going nuts for it.”

Cathy said, “At the moment, a lot of our product is handmade and hand packaged and the way we treat our cows is done a little differently than that of other dairies. We believe a happy cow makes a quality product.

“Our aspiration is to continue contributing to the success of dairy in the Goulburn Valley by striving to improve the quality of our product.

We are chasing being the best producers of dairy products that can be found in Australia.”

Unique form of dairy products enter the market from the Goulburn Valley A NEW TAKE ON DAIRY… The Camel Milk Co Australia directors, Chris and Megan Williams at their camel farm just outside of Kyabram. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

WHEN somebody finds a market for a new and innovative product, it adds excitement to the business offerings of any region.

In 2014, The Camel Milk Co Australia was brought to life in the Goulburn Valley, and beginning with just three camels on 107 acres of land just outside of Kyabram, and milking camels to produce 150 litres a week, the company has in just a few short years grown to be now producing an average of 1,000 litres a week from just over 200 camels.

Director, Megan Williams said, “We have always liked the dairy industry and also had a love for camels.

“From the day we started we had a waiting list for our milk and with customer and world demand we have grown.

“Camel milk is like no other, it is naturally low in fat and lactose, it’s a good source of calcium, magnesium and potassium, and its proteins are

higher than what is found in regular milk.

“As well as the fresh milk we also have a body range consisting of hand creams, body butter, hand wash, soaps and lip balms.

“These products are distributed throughout Australia and some parts of Asia.

We have contacts in other parts of the world that we will be looking at doing business with in the near future.

“O ur new far m is just shy of 500 acres.

The decision to move a nd expa nd wa s a ll dependent on the market.

“If our business continues to grow as predicted we will be installing larger processing facilities.

In turn we hope to create more jobs within our community.

“We also hope to open the farm to tourism to allow people to visit and see what we do.”

If our business continues to grow as predicted we will be installing larger processing facilities.

In turn we hope to create more jobs within our community.

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Our Goulburn Valley

Primary Industries & Consumer Goods

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Our Goulburn Valley

Primary Industries & Consumer Goods

Pental ramps up production in Shepparton RIGHT here in Shepparton we have the one and only Tallowate Saponification (soap making) plant in the Southern Hemisphere. Shepparton’s Pental are the only producers of number one brands White King and Jiffy Firelighters, Softly, Country Life and 140 year old, heritage brand Velvet/Sunlight Soap. First arriving some 60 years ago to Shepparton, these products are household names that directly impact many of our locals.

The team at Pental, which sees Australia’s number one bleach, White King, winning right h ere in S h e p p a r to n, are a testament to commitment, passion and excellence and as a group, Pental sees these attributes as fundamental to business and community prosperity.

The circumstances of how White King came to be in Shepparton, is an example of how uncertain economic conditions can be overcome by teamwork, local talent and risk.

From 20 04-20 0 9, White King bleach was under contract manufacture at Pental’s subsidiary-parent Port Melbourne facility and in 2009 the purchase of the White King brand for a handsome AUD $56M dollars was settled amidst the Global Financial Crisis, a declining manufacturing sector and an escalating price war between the grocery retail giants. Considering Pental’s gross sales volume at the time of approximately $70M, some called it madness -

others opportunistic.

Pental manufacturing manager, Carmine Conte said, “From 2010- 2011, integration of this major brand tested every Pental person, however in 2012 with compounding pressures of the high Aussie dollar and record high material pricing, the Port Melbourne chemicals plant was no longer viable and closed.

“Two options possible at the time were outsourcing manufacture to a third party with minimal financial investment or risk, or to back the team at Shepparton and relocate the White King plant to Drummond Road at a cost of over $4M. Thankfully our board backed our people and our community all the way.

“In those 12 months to August 2013, our team achieved the p l a n n i n g, b u i l d a n d relocation of over 6,000 pallets of working capital to Shepparton, the employment and training of 30 local talents, the dismantle, transpor t, reassemble and commission of filling lines and the green field construction of batching plants and facilities. None of this would have been possible without our great people and local spirit.

“Because of the confidence instilled by our people, product innovation and capital, investment now heralds a new chapter for our Pental people and their families and our wider community.”

None of this would have been possible without our great people and local spirit.

PRODUCT INNOVATION AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT…From left, Pental engineering manager, Paul Moore and manufacturing manager, Carmine Conte with the Shepparton manufactured Jiffy and Little Lucifer firelighters. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

200 local wines from 35 wineries prove a winner PROVIDING A PLATFORM FOR LOCAL GROWERS… Phillips Cellars business owner, Paul Phillips says that we are producing outstanding wines locally.

Photo: Alicia Niglia.

KEEN to provide a platform for local wine growers, Phillips Cellars business owner Paul Phillips is the Goulburn Valley’s local wine specialist. Having developed personal networks over 20 years in the industry and throughout the Goulburn Valley and Strathbogie Ranges, Paul is passionate about the industry and about promoting the region as a wine growing district.

As a local wine expert, Paul’s expertise benefits growers and consumers alike. Paul said, “A lot of the local wineries don’t have cellar doors so we provide that service, acting as their cellar door. Smaller Page 20 August/September 2017 - Our Goulburn Valley Building a prosperous region together - The Shepparton Adviser

wineries are often scattered far and wide making it difficult to go from one to another and we offer a central point and are able to provide our customers with unique and independent boutique style wines.”

Phillips Cellars stock over 200 local wines representing around 35 local wineries, plus wines from other regions that Paul regards as favourites.

As a promoter of the region Paul has been the chair of the Dookie Wine Show for 14 years now and with more grape varieties growing locally and different styles of wine being made, Paul is excited to see further growth in the local wine industry.

Our Goulburn Valley

Primary Industries & Consumer Goods

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Our Goulburn Valley

Primary Industries & Consumer Goods

Find A Farm and Fodder Finder success WORKING FOR FUTURE OF FARMING… Landmark Harcourts Shepparton rural sales consultant and water broker, Simon Weatherald, proprietor/licensed estate agent and rural water broker, Michael Downie and office administrator, Lauren McCabe.

Photo: Alicia Niglia.

THE SCIENCE OF SUCCESS… From left, SPC food technologist, Christian Burghartswieser and packaging technologist, Alan Vermaak talked about their innovative work. Alan said, “We work closely together to make sure we have the right product in the right packaging. Research and development is an important part of our work and it’s all geared toward the end user.” Photo: Alicia Niglia.

SPC continues to support our region SINCE SPC was established in the early 1900s, there has been a long and enduring relationship between Goulburn Valley growers, the community and SPC. Not only has SPC helped to create a sustainable future for businesses and their employees in the Goulburn Valley and surrounding areas but they offer attractive career pathways in many professions.

One of these professional areas is SPC’s Research and Development team in Shepparton, which oversees product formulation and development through to packaging innovation. SPC head of innovation, Blair Keating said, “The lifeblood of SPC is our people and the support from the local Goulburn Valley community. Growers and families from the Goulburn Valley region have worked with SPC for decades and our products depend on them.

“The strength and continued growth of the company depends on ensuring our products are relevant to the consumer and that’s where innovation is important.

“At the very heart of what we do is our consumers and end users. Learning to understand new challenges that people face enables us to continue to create and share healthy foods that will delight our consumers. We strive to be efficient and competitive and at the same time we must ensure our products are relevant and exciting with new food products and packaging that will take us into the future.”

An example of SPC’s exciting new food products is their Goulburn Valley Peaches and Crunch, diced peaches in apple and cranberry puree with almond, coconut and chia crunch, available in a range of delicious fruits grown in the Goulburn Valley.

TOGETHER, united in representing farmers, Landmark has been a part of rural Australia since 1846 as a leading rural real estate and agribusiness company, with Harcourts having been at the forefront of real estate since 1888.

Landmark Harcourts make the link from the country to the city, and as a highly regarded operation, their network is strong both nationally and internationally.

Having been in the industry for more than 25 years, Landmark Harcourts Shepparton proprietor/licensed estate agent and water broker, Michael Downie’s primary interest is doing the right thing for his clients. Michael said, “Over the years I have walked away from sales, either because they’re not right for the buyer or for the seller. At the core of success is doing the right thing by our clients and as a team, we take great pride in doing just that.”

Landmark Shepparton comprises of sales in agricultural property, water broking, ‘Find a Farm’ and ‘Fodder Finder’ services.

Landmark Harcourts is the real estate portion of the business and focuses on sales of broad acre, grazing, dairy and cropping farms as well as hobby farms.

Landmark Water assist clients throughout the

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Southern Connected Basin with their entitlement and allocation trading requirements.

Michael created ‘Water 4 Water’ as a charitable fund that assists the organisation ‘Raise Cambodia’ which is run by his brother William. Michael is donating five percent of commissions from the water broking component of his company to provide fresh water to underprivileged families in Cambodia.

Find A Farm is a concept which enables p r o s p e c t i ve p u r c h a s e r s t o su b m i t t h e requirements of what they would like to purchase for prospective vendors to view and Fodder Finder enables purchasers and vendors of livestock feed to display their requirements on the web.

Providing farmers with a voice, a means to communicate and a real understanding and respect for farm values, Landmark Harcourts use their extensive networking capabilities and the internet to spread the word far and wide in search of buyers.

Michael said, “The rural sector is at the best it’s been for a long time with agricultural commodities very strong at present and low interest rates are generating excellent investment into the agricultural sector.”

Our Goulburn Valley

Primary Industries & Consumer Goods

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Engineering & Manufacturing Creating a growing region PERHAPS one of the most successful sectors across the Goulburn Valley is its manufacturing, which has an output of just over $3.906B, which is an increase of $701M from last year’s statistics. As part of this

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Greater Shepparton has an output of $1.275B, Moira Shire has an output of $942.410M, the Shire of Campaspe has an output of $1.532B and the Strathbogie Shire has an output of $156.843M.

Our Goulburn Valley

Engineering & Manufacturing

1,500m2 building completed with Furphy expansion WHEN a strong sign of increased activity across the Goulburn Valley is experienced, all businesses benefit and one local company is not only seeing these benefits, but is passing them along to the continuing success of the manufacturing sector of the region.

Having operated in Shepparton for over 150 years J. Furphy & Sons has experienced growth over the last 12 months, t h at is ex p e c te d to continue into next year.

J Fur p hy & S o ns managing director, Adam Fur p hy s a i d, “ M a j or projects in the last 12 months have included multiple tanks for Dulux Paints’ new facility at Merrifield (Kalkallo) and also for Fuchs Lubricants new facility in Newcastle. Major dairy projects included the Midfield Group’s Union Dairy milk powder plant in South Australia as well as numerous other projects.

“In our galvanizing plant we have seen a significant increase in demand from local customers for hot dip galvanizing of their products, which range from construction steelwork to

infrastructure projects to machinery components.

This increase is a strong sign of increased activity generally in the Goulburn Valley and we expect it to continue into 2018.

“Furphy Engineering has also completed a major 1,500m2 building extension to our stainless steel tank manufacturing workshop, which includes twin tank production lines under a 24m high roof.

Included in the expansion was the purchase and installation of a number of automated welding and polishing machines as well as a redesign of the layout of the adjoining workshops to produce an integrated production flow for the production of stainless steel tanks for customers throughout Australia.”

This increase is a strong sign of increased activity generally in the Goulburn Valley and we expect it to continue into 2018.

MANUFACTURING BOOST… J Furphy & Sons managing director, Adam Furphy at the facility in Shepparton which this year has undergone expansion, adding to the continuing success of the manufacturing sector of the Goulburn Valley. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

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Our Goulburn Valley

Engineering & Manufacturing We see plenty of opportunities in the future with a strong agriculture sector driving the local economy.

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS… From left, the Trevaskis Engineering Pty Ltd team, Riley Mason, Lachy Aylett, Damien Bell, Suzanne Jones, Rayleen Pena, Geoff Rowlands, Darren Glasson, Leigh Horgan, Kate Gow, Josh Archard, Thomas LaPorta, James Smithies, general manager, Michael Mason, Aaron Bunton, Andrew Perry, James Young, Jason Wills, Michael Londrigan, Brock Hearn, Russell Allen, Kristen Whitford, Chris Belic and Scott Alexander. Photo: Alicia Niglia

50 years of engineering advancements T R E VAS K IS Engineer ing began in 19 59 as a father and son partnership with Richie Trevaskis performing basic sheetmetal 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 sheetmetal as well as a fabrication shop.

General manager, Michael Mason said, “Trevaskis Engineering has experienced steady growth in sales and production output over many years. This is in part due to our willingness to continually improve and our use of state-of-theart equipment, including 3D drafting software, the latest laser profile cutting equipment, CNC turret punching and folding facility. This has enabled us to maintain competitive pricing whilst increasing the accuracy and quality of our work.

“Today we remain family owned and operate from our modern premises in Tatura employing 33 staff. Our core business is sheetmetal engineering including jobbing work for other engineering

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companies, project work for food processing factories, local government projects, and 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.

“We have enjoyed the support of a number of local manufacturing businesses over the years including Furphy Foundry, Rubicon Water, SPC, Tatura Milk, OZ Weld and Aquatec just to name a few.

“Trevaskis Engineering is proud to have been a part of the engineering industry in the Goulburn Valley for more than 50 years and looks forward to many more. We see plenty of opportunities in the future with a strong agriculture sector driving the local economy. The company will continue to keep up with the many advancements in engineering to ensure our customers receive the best quality and value for money as well as offering superior service, this can only be achieved by the quality of the local people we employ and the service they offer to our diverse customer base,” Michael said.

Our Goulburn Valley

Engineering & Manufacturing Rubicon Water chief executive, Bruce Rodgerson said this joint venture gives potential access to fully-funded ‘shovel-ready’ projects worth AU$200M over the next five years.

HUGE ECONOMIC BENEFITS… Rubicon Water manager - product and solutions head, Matthew Collins. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

International deal a boost to the local economy HAVING local companies at the forefront of the latest in technology, completing deals with international countries means there are huge economic benefits to Goulburn Valley businesses.

Being a strong and developing business in the region for more than 20 years, Rubicon Water has made a favourable deal with the Chinese province of Gansu that will see the province’s international irrigators soon benefitting from the same Total Channel Control Network Control technology used to automate the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District. 250 Shepparton-manufactured FlumeGates are set to be installed that will automate 570km of channels to

supply water for irrigation as well as for drinking and industrial uses.

Rubicon Water chief executive, Bruce Rodgerson said this joint venture gives potential access to fullyfunded ‘shovel-ready’ projects worth AU$200M over the next five years.

“The 15 new jobs that were created as a result of the deal add to the 40 created since the beginning of the year, and this is just the beginning. We expect further increases over the next 12 months as more work from China comes through to the factory,” Bruce said.

“The production increase means that in addition to

headcount increases, we will be procuring more from our Victorian suppliers. We estimate that over the next year our expenditure on our regional Victorian supply chain will increase by $5M to $10M.” The future continues to look promising for Rubicon Water, with the company currently testing a new product in its Shepparton hydraulics laboratory. The fully-automated farm service point product promises accurate metering for farms serviced by smaller channels that are common in China and many other places worldwide.

Rubicon Water continues to push their business into China, India and the United States.

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Our Goulburn Valley

Engineering & Manufacturing

Homegrown success recognised nationally A GREAT SUCCESS STORY… MaddisonWright Engineering services Victoria’s fast-growing food beverage and dairy industry. Managing directors, Heath Wright and Sandra Harris. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

Engineering our Goulburn Valley TOTAL MANUFACTURING ECONOMIC OUTPUT FOR THE GOULBURN VALLEY

$3.906B GREATER SHEPPARTON

$1.275B

MOIRA SHIRE

$942.410M

SHIRE OF CAMPASPE

$1.532B

STRATHBOGIE SHIRE

$156.843M

WHEN the very heart of a business is based on apprentice joined the company in May and the a shared vision that others will benefit from your program will continue to grow in 2018, with a growth, it is only right and natural that goodwill second apprentice commencing in January. follows, and with hard work and nurturance, Together Paul and Sandra have created solutions success will come. This is a story of success born for many in the mining sector, along with significant of all of those values. Shepparton locals, Paul growth and development opportunities – and and Sandra Harris were related by marriage and success has followed. developed a friendship I n 2 014 , A W E Paul and Sandra matched that would take them into w a s l i s t e d 4 4t h i n highly-skilled workers from the a business relationship the Business Review that neither one of them Weekly’s list of the Goulburn Valley with positions in could’ve ever anticipated. fastest growing Australia’s mining regions, creating In 2010/11 Goulburn companies in Australia, life changing opportunities for Valley manufac tur ing with 275 percent their employees and impressing was dealt a blow with grow th. It continued the mining industry with such t h e c l o sure of S P C to climb up the list in highly-skilled tradespeople.

Ardmona’s Mooroopna 2 015, w h e n i t wa s plant. Paul and Sandra identified a gap in the ranked 22nd, with 193 percent growth. Further mining industry and two years later, when growth followed in 2016, when AWE joined Australia was experiencing a resource downturn, forces with Heath Wright Fabrications to form they started All West Engineering (AWE).

MaddisonWright – an engineering company that Paul and Sandra matched highly-skilled services Victoria’s fast-growing food beverage workers from the Goulburn Valley with positions in and dairy industry.

Australia’s mining regions, creating life-changing Now, from an idea with a hope to benefit the opportunities for their employees and impressing community, Sandra and Paul have developed the mining industry with such highly-skilled so much more than a series of successful tradespeople. businesses. Wherever possible, the Goulburn AWE first provided field service support to Rio Valley continues to be AWE’s main source of Tinto in late 2013, but has now expanded into supply – not only for its workforce but for goods, a multi-disciplinary engineering company that including trucks and materials. provides design and drafting, manufacturing, site Another great Goulburn Valley success story, installations and long-term labour hire. this company is making a massive impact on so AWE now has a national workforce of 60 many, providing logical solutions and matching employees, including a commitment to developing needs with answers. All West Engineering local Indigenous talent. A first-year Indigenous offices are in Telford Drive, Shepparton.

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Our Goulburn Valley

Engineering & Manufacturing

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Our Goulburn Valley

Engineering & Manufacturing

Furphy Foundry set to expand AS one of the most successful industries across the region, manufacturing has an economic output of $3.960B and there is one name that is synonymous with manufacturing across Australia.

Furphy Foundry has been a long standing business in Greater Shepparton and has had quite an impact on the Goulburn Valley region over the years.

And while most already know the success story behind the company, the last 12 months have been exciting for the foundry, with the company’s rapid expansion over the last three years continuing.

Furphy Foundry managing director, Sam Furphy said, “We have been in rapid expansion mode having acquired Landmark products.

Over the last 12 months our focus has been on further integration

INCREASED CAPACITY AND IMPROVED EFFICIENCIES… Furphy Foundry managing director, Sam Furphy at the business’ facility on Drummond Road in Shepparton, which has been expanding and growing over the last 12 months.

Photo: David Lee.

of the two businesses (Landmark and Furphy Foundry), which is working out well. An example of how we are leveraging our new national footprint was the launch of the new Furphy public barbeque range during the year, which we designed to complement other products that are made for public open spaces.

“As a result of this recent acquisition, we are now seeing a significant increase in production volume flowing through our Shepparton plant. This is work that would otherwise have been produced by businesses in other states.

“In order to keep pace with current workloads and anticipated future workloads we are expanding our factory footprint with the construction of a new building, which will be constructed by local builders and adds one more stand-alone factory area to the two existing plants. It is expected that this new building will be completed

by March 2018 and we look forward to the increased capacity and improved efficiencies as a result.

“The Greater Shepparton region will play an important part in our company’s future plans. Given our strong manufacturing roots, experienced staff and our proven local supply chain, our Shepparton operations will play a major role in catering for our national production needs,” Sam said.

Continued investment in pallet equipment pays off SOMETIMES great businesses are simply born out of hard work and the willingness to take a gamble… having a ‘can-do’ attitude.

K&S Pallets director, Victor Kyriakou said, “The company began in 2001 as an investment in a cold storage facility which complemented our family’s horticultural farming business. During this time I thought a lot about how we could diversify. We began repairing pallets for LOSCAM in 2003.

We took a big gamble against their advice and invested $120,000 in a machine to manufacture new pallets. The punt paid off and in 2004 we received our first order of 5,000 pallets. This was fantastic for us but not without its worries. There were times when we couldn’t get timber and had machinery and production issues. In the early days I didn’t sleep for three months but tenacity won

out. In 2008 we bought more pallet equipment and then purchased a pine timber mill in South Australia and the rest is history! Our sawmill has gone from 4 to 20 employees and across the group we employ 40 people. Our pallet business has diversified to manufacturing fruit bins, export pallets export bins, cases and crates to name a few.

“We recently purchased one of only three licences in Australia for a Pallet Design Software Program, which allows us to design the correct pallet configuration and load rating for any type of pallet, with cost savings passed onto the customer.”

K&S Pallets now sends out 330,000 new and repaired pallets each year, with a dedicated team ready to take on new challenges.

Victor said, “All of our timber is sourced from sustainable forests and we recycle all of our waste

VOLUME PRODUCTION IMPACTS REGION… From left the team at K&S Pallets, Nathan Kyriakou, Sharon Harris, Peni Kaufusi, business co-owner, Victor Kyriakou, Grant Macallef, business co-owner, Jackie Kyriakou, Anne Forster, Leanne Vourgaslis and Anthony West. Photo: Alicia Niglia. material. We manage a huge volume of timber, pallets and fruit bins for the Goulburn Valley, in fact we only began producing fruit bins three years ago and are now regarded the leading bin manufacturer in the area. We have recently purchased a heat treatment kiln for expanding our export pallet and

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bin business as well.”

K & S Pallets are a ver tically integrated business with control over all aspects of supply, manufacturing, heat treating and delivery to the customer and Victor says they intend to have another site in Melbourne in the next two years.

Our Goulburn Valley

Engineering & Manufacturing

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Infrastructure & Construction Infrastructure booming across the GV ACCORDING to the latest stats, the total value of cons truc t ion acros s the G oulburn Valley for 2015/16 year was $1.432B, which includes building construction, heavy and civil engineering construction and construction services. With many commercial projects currently in the pipeline, infrastructure across the region is booming.

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As part of this, Greater Shepparton’s total value construction came to $687.5M, Moira Shire’s the total value construction came to $274.447M, the Strathbogie Shire’s the total value construction came to $112.651M and the Shire of Campaspe’s the total value construction came to $358.006M.

Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

A family dedicated to the growth of the Goulburn Valley Our vision for Riverside Plaza is to provide a onestop shopping experience, with easy parking for the benefit of the Greater Shepparton community, adapting and evolving to suit our customers, supporting local business and helping our region to prosper.

CONTRIBUTING TO REGION’S SUCCESS… From left, Chris and Steve Copulos are proud to continue contributing to the success of business in the Goulburn Valley. Photo: David Lee. WHEN it comes to growth and expansion of infrastructure, it’s hard not to think of the Copulos Group, and with a substantial amount of growth being seen at Riverside Plaza over the last 12 months, the Goulburn Valley is benefiting greatly.

Owned by the Copulos Group, the Riverside Plaza complex has become quite the hub for local businesses, with Forty Winks moving in, Fair Price Furniture and Coles Express opening their doors, The Main Course Butcher and Wasai Sushi opening, the addition of a new children’s soft fall toddler playground, W&R Nails opening, including the new Inspire Kids Early Learning Centre on Riverview Drive in the last 12 months alone.

Stephen Copulos said, “There is plenty happening at Riverside Plaza, just in the last 12 months we have added a significant number of new tenants to complement our current mix and provide a one stop retail, entertainment and learning experience, with free and easy parking the complex has something for everyone.

“Shepparton is our home. My parents, kids

and grandkids all live here so we will continue to invest and develop in our home town. We are proud that in all our local developments we use local contractors; for any events held at Riverside Plaza (like our school holiday activities) we also proudly support local talent.

“Our family also strongly believes in giving back and have made contributions to organisations such as GV Health and the new SAM, Big Blokes Lunch, Pink Ribbon and more.

“Looking to the future, we will continue to invest in the success of Riverside Plaza by adding new food court tables and chairs including booth and high table seating that will complement the addition of the indoor playground. We are also excited to be seeing new national tenant, Cignall Specialist Tobacconist opening soon at Riverside Plaza.

“Our vision for Riverside Plaza is to provide a one-stop shopping experience, with easy parking for the benefit of the Greater Shepparton community, adapting and evolving to suit our customers, supporting local business and helping our region to prosper.”

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Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction GROWING WITH COMMUNITY NEED… From left (back), the team at Inspired Architectural Windows & Doors, Joel Walsh, Ray Austin, Rhys Porter, Anthony Ciavarella and Stephen Cooney.

(Front), Kristel Van der Zwaan and Steph Van der Zwaan.

Photo: Alicia Niglia.

Inspiring innovation across the Goulburn Valley and beyond BEING innovative, filling a niche in the market and adapting with the changing times is what helps businesses continue to thrive, and keeps a community growing into the future.

Having only started 12 months ago, Inspired Architectural Windows & Doors, brainchild of local home builders, Ken and Helma Gash, has already expanded beyond the business owners’ expectations. Having only started with two fabricators and already expanding to five full time fabricators and two office staff, with more in the pipeline, Inspired Architectural Windows & Doors have already worked on many projects across the Goulburn Valley including the new Parklake renovation, Shepparton Uniting Church as well as residential properties.

Inspired Architectural Windows & Doors sales and estimation, Kristel Van der Zwaan said, “Two

of our fabricators/estimators, Anthony Ciavarella and Ray Austin have been working in the industry in the Goulburn Valley for over 20 years, so when we had the chance to branch out with this new business, it was great to have people with such experience come on board from the beginning.

“We custom make and fabricate everything to order, which means we can be inventive in what we are doing.

“We supply to local builders and support the local construction industry in both the commercial and residential sectors.

“The construction industry is booming in the Goulburn Valley and with the growth of that and the need for, and increased awareness of, energy efficiencies, it’s important that businesses stay on top of the latest innovations.”

Our Goulburn Valley

Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

Infrastructure & Construction

Local firm hits over 70 modulars per annum EXCELLENT products and services come from recognising and responding to customer needs which is how Shepparton’s family owned business Neatline Homes have come to specialise in prefabricated and customised, modular homes.

Ken and Helma Gash began the business 17 years ago with just two office staff, five contractors and the intention to provide an affordable solution to home owners. In their first year of operation, Neatline Homes built eight modules. Currently they build around 70 modules each year between commercial and domestic projects both locally and throughout Victoria and into New South Wales and have around 10 office staff and 60 contractors in the team at any one time.

Neatline Homes sales/estimator, Steph Van der Zwaan said, “Over the years our customers have become more conscious about energy efficiency and this has shaped our direction toward energy efficient homes that support a sustainable environment. We’re very proud of the growth our company has seen and owe much of that to our innovative team. We are constantly updating the way our prefabricated homes are designed, built and delivered to ensure our customers receive a top quality home.

“While we do have projects far and wide, along with building homes, we have worked on many well known local commercial projects including St. Luke’s Primary School, Numurkah’s temporary hospital, Gowrie Street Primary School kinder, GrainCorp expansions, GV Health, Kialla Children’s Centre and Rochester Recreation Reserve to name a few.

A SPECIALISED OPTION FOR A NEW HOME… Neatline Homes owners, Ken and Helma Gash. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

“In our work we make it our mission to use local businesses for supplies and we choose to employ locals where possible.

“With the demand that we’re seeing for modular homes, I believe it’s going to keep growing and with a possible shift to more apartment blocks and double storey homes into the future. People are generally time poor for various reasons and with such short turn around, there seems to be a real appreciation for our custom made modules, built here on-site with no hold ups. When people come in to look at our homes, what they see, is what they get and that’s reassuring to so many.”

Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

Inspiring the community through creative infrastructure WORKING on some of the most celebrated property, infrastructure and public space projects, one of the region’s leading consultancies, Spiire has helped to shape the Goulburn Valley region.

Working within the region for over a decade and a half, Spiire’s worked on The Boulevard Shepparton, winner of the ‘2016 UDIA Consultant of the Year award’, the Australian Botanical Gardens in Kialla as well as providing visioning for the exciting Eastbank Lake project in Shepparton.

Underpinning Spiire’s success is its talented team of planners, surveyors, engineers, landscape architects and visual media specialists.

More recently, the business’ Shepparton Landscape Architecture team has grown in size, and is now led by experienced Landscape Architect, Lauren Gillard who has a diverse background in property and contemporary public space design.

Spiire associate landscape artist, Lauren Gillard said, “Landscape architects are specialists in connecting people to place, we work collaboratively to not only provide beautiful and engaging public settings for the community but also to stitch together often isolated spaces into richer social experiences,“ said.

Complementing the consultancy’s Landscape team is its new Visual Media offering that provides 3D visualisations, marketing videos and virtual reality environments, which will bring the design of new developments and public space to life.

AN EXCITING NEW CHAPTER FOR LOCAL CONSULTANCY… From left, Spiire associate landscape architect, Lauren Gillard and graduate landscape architect, Melissa Stagg.

Photo: Alicia Niglia.

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Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

Confidence returns as commercial sector booms WITH multi-millions of dollars being spent or invested on commercial projects across the Goulburn Valley in only the past year, there is a clear indication that confidence has returned to the commercial market in the region.

After over 10 years of experiencing a downfall, due to the Global Financial Crisis, a significant downturn in appetite for retail and office space as well as the emergence of online spending, the region is now going from strength to strength.

Gagliardi Scott Real Estate director, Rocky Gagliardi said, “No doubt as we go forward the ability for business to adapt to all the challenges will prove fruitful and the opportunity to develop other business models will see the hunger return.

“Shepparton itself has a lot to be positive about. I believe the local council has done an incredible amount of work in making Shepparton a destination point and attracting major sporting and entertainment events consistently has Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley area prospering for local retail trade and hospitality industries.

“We are seeing a significant amount of investment in the area at the moment commercially such as the courthouse $73M, where I expect to see the appetite surrounding its location growing once it is completed. There is also the investment made in the $53M Bunnings Warehouse, $168.52M GV Health redevelopment, $34.5M SAM, and the recent rail investment.

“Recently, we sold 23 Nixon Street which exceeded $4M, the old Bullion Bar on the corner of Wyndham and Fryers Streets sold for $1.4M which was on the market for a long time, and properties in Wyndham Street, High Street, Fraser Street and the Maude Street Mall have also recently sold, which is showing confidence in the market.

“We’ve never had so much diversity in investment in the area and this will carry on over the next few years, bringing more employment, and more excitingly, this is expected to have a great impact on the future success of the region. There are some promising future redevelopment opportunities for the Goulburn Valley,” Rocky said.

INVESTMENT BOOST… Gagliardi Scott Real Estate director, Rocky Gagliardi has seen strength return in the local commercial sector. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

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Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

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Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

80,000 cubic metres of concrete

builds strong foundations

BUILDING BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE REGION… From left, PJ’s Concrete Pumping pump operator, Mark Baker, pump operator, Dave Newby, hoseman, Adrian Dryburgh, pump operator, Luke Breewel, manager, Keelan Don, pump operator, Kieran Baker, pump operator, Dave Tomkins and director, Peter Don. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

WITH the region currently experiencing an infrastructure and construction boom, a lot of concrete is being pumped into structures and helping to build the Goulburn Valley.

You may have seen some of the work carried out

by PJ’s Concrete Pumping; in fact as well as GV Health, Shepparton Private Hospital, Council offices, Parklake, and the Riverside Plaza and Harvey Norman development, the business is currently helping bring the Shepparton Law Courts, Shepparton Villages development, Notre Dame College redevelopment and the Chemist Warehouse shopping centre builds to life.

PJ’s Concrete Pumping Managing Director, Peter Don started out as an Apprentice Builder at 16 years-of-age, commencing his own building business at the age of 21. After 20 years in business, in November 2000, Peter made the decision to buy his first concrete pumping truck. Now 17 years on, the business is very much a family affair, with his son, Keelan being the manager, and Rhonda and Ashlin being a part of the business’ 12 personnel.

Peter said, “Around the Goulburn Valley we have worked on projects including Wyndham Early Learning Childcare Centre, Freedom Foods Group Limited (formally Pactum Dairy), the new Inspira Kids Early Learning Centre, SheppartonMooroopna causeway widening, Broken River bridge strength upgrade, Scot’s Church extension, Education First Youth Foyer, the Shepparton Sports Precinct, Goulburn Valley Dental’s redevelopment on Nixon Street, the new FIX building,

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Kyabram Hospital, Tatura Milk, MC Pipes, APCO Service Station, Coles Express service station, Caltex service station on Numurkah Road, and the new Chemist Warehouse and shopping centre development in Shepparton’s north.”

“Outside the Goulburn Valley we have completed work on the Mulwala Ammunition Factory, Seymour schools, various irrigation projects, Puckapunyal Army Base, Mangalore Ammunition Factory, Numurkah Oil Seeds factory, Katunga tomato farms and the Eildon spillway redevelopment.

As we also have a concrete pump based in Wangaratta we have been involved in working at a lot of the schools, council development works, commercial and industrial buildings. Being in the local area in Wangaratta means our work extends to Myrtleford, Bright and the Beechworth areas.

Using our seven trucks, we pump approximately 80,000 cubic metres of concrete per year, the concrete supplied from the surrounding concrete plants such as Boral, Mawson’s, Country Concrete, Telfords Concrete, Hanson’s, Mansfield Premix and Yea-Alexandra Premix, in turn supporting these local businesses as well.

As we work to grow our business and to create employment opportunities in the Goulburn Valley, we look forward to continue being involved in the building of local and surrounding infrastructure, improving and growing the area for all industries, and keeping Shepparton great.”

Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

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Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

New $4M home for Jaguar, Land Rover and Honda

$4M SHOWROOM TO HOUSE JAGUAR, LAND ROVER AND HONDA… Darryl Twitt Motors dealer principal, Jason Sherlock on the site where construction will begin later this year for Darryl Twitt Motors $4M state-of-the-art facility. Photo: Nicholise Garner.

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THE name Darryl Twitt Motors is well known throughout the Goulburn Valley. Established in 1983 as a reputable Ford dealer, Darryl Twitt Motors have upheld their reputation and have undergone a series of developments particularly over the past 14 years, building up the business with different franchises, with the inclusion of Volkswagen in 2004, Audi in 2011 and their latest acquisition, Jaguar Land Rover in 2017.

Speaking to Darryl Twitt Motors dealer principal, Jason Sherlock said, “There has been a huge amount of growth in the automotive business, with 1.2 million new cars a year sold across the nation, the industry itself has grown. Currently, we have 56 staff, including some who’ve been here since the beginning. We’ve grown substantially over the years and plan to continue our growth into the future.

“In 2016 the dealership was awarded number 1 in the provincial category on a national level by Ford Australia and we have invested $4M into a new facility in line with our growth, development and new opportunities with Jaguar Land Rover. Our upcoming 1.25 acre expansion will house three showrooms for Honda, Land Rover and Jaguar and at the rear, there’ll be brand new service facilities.

“We look forward to seeing where this industry takes us, I’m guessing battery powered cars will take us into the future.”

Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

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Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

New look, state-of-the-art health redevelopment HEALTH and wellbeing are such an important part of life and it is essential to have a service that is able to provide state-of-the-art healthcare in order to prevent or treat illness to keep the cogs of the community and business turning.

The new, and greatly anticipated $168.52M stage 1 redevelopment of GV Health is expected to begin in October this year and once completed in September 2020, will offer the beginnings of a state-of-the-art health facility.

GV Health executive director infrastructure, Sandy Chamberlin said, “We are all looking forward to the redevelopment for GV Health. It will include early works to upgrade power, flood and storm water mitigation, provide further car parking and enable works for the main project.

“The main works include the installation of a new renal dialysis unit with 16 treatment bays, new and redeveloped Emergency Department (ED), doubling treatment spaces and creating spaces for specific purposes (eg. a paediatric treatment space), a new ED medical imaging department with additional CT, X-Ray and ultrasound equipment, new special care nursery and a new paediatric ward with all single rooms.

“It will also include a refurbished maternity ward, extended theatre space, with new Central Sterilising Supply Department, four additional theatres and three refurbished theatres, with a shelled theatre for future use as a hybrid theatre.

“A new dedicated recovery space with spaces

HEALTHY INVESTMENT… An artist impression of the new $168.52M stage 1 redevelopment of GV Health, which is expected to begin being worked on in October this year.

Image: Supplied.

created for specific purposes (eg. a paediatric recovery space) will also be installed and then the tower will include a new kitchen, a new mortuary with garden, a new ICU/CCU/HDU, two new inpatient wards and a new plant area on level 4 and 5.

“This is such an important time for GV Health as we currently cover a wide geographical catchment within Hume and the lower Murrumbidgee regions with a population consisting of the highest Indigenous percentage population in Victoria and the highest migrant population. Our catchment has a population of around 100,000, consisting

of a local population of approximately 72,000 in the Shepparton primary catchment area and a further 35,000 in the broader regional, secondary catchment area, including the Moira, Campaspe, Strathbogie and Berrigan (southern NSW) regions.

“The redevelopment will mean better access for ED and surgery, improved infrastructure and innovation, more private rooms, bigger spaces, improved use of natural light, access to a patient centred food ser vice deliver y model, new equipment, a more modern environment,” Sandy said.

“Together we create our future.”

Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

Big growth across all property sectors predicted IT is clear that there is currently an infrastructure boom happening right across the Goulburn Valley, and the future is looking promising for residential, farming and commercial property.

Kevin Hicks Real Estate has been servicing the Goulburn Valley since 2001 and director, Kevin Hicks has watched over the last 16 years a struggling industry become a thriving industry.

Kevin said, “Over 10 years ago, large retailers including Bunnings Warehouse and The Good Guys were a sign that there was growth. In recent years we have experienced even bigger and better retail growth with a bigger Bunnings Warehouse, huge growth in businesses in the north of Shepparton, development of the sporting precinct coming along well and of course the court house. These are just a few of the recent developments, all of which will bring more growth in commercial, retail, rentals and residential sales.

“There has been a 10 year struggle because of the rural sector, however, Shepparton has always been and always will be desirably placed

geographically to enhance all types of industry.

“Thanks to a successfully performing transport industry farming has improved including fruit, beef, sheep and grain.

“The infrastructure for water usage has also improved, which will improve the performance of property for the next 50 years.

“In fact, dry land farming has doubled in value in the last 10 years.

“Both commercial and retail sectors flat-lined over the last 10 years as did the residential wing, which experienced negative growth.

“But we’ve had a lot of migration to the area.

These people have been non-professionals who have come in with no money and worked hard to change the local landscape and strengthen the rental market.

“The recent infrastructure explosion is bringing a lot of cash to the region, and looking ahead, the next 10 years are going to be much more exciting.

“People should invest in property now.

“The land of opportunity is here.”

HOUSING BOOM… Kevin Hicks Real Estate director, Kevin Hicks sees a positive future for the area with the recent housing construction boom taking off. Photo:Supplied.

Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

Local firm helps shape GV IN all areas of growth and development, responsible and long term planning is essential. Each year Chris Smith & Associates take responsibility for the delivery of new infrastructure to the value of approximately $10M. That equates to $100M over the past 10 years.

Most of this infrastructure comprises new roads, drainage, sewerage and water reticulation which is required to service the 1,500 new lots that have been collectively developed by their respective clients throughout the Goulburn Valley.

Although the demand for new housing varies from year to year, Chris Smith & Associates always have a number of land development projects on the go, in some shape or form and at various stages of the planning, subdivision, design or construction process.

Chris Smith & Associates managing director, Chris Smith said, “When you add all of the other infrastructure and subdivision related work that we do, our key people have a busy time managing what amounts to be about 150 projects annually.”

Careful planning has to take into consideration how communities experience their new home environments. Chris said, “In many instances, the land that some of our staff used as adventure play spaces when they were children has been developed into spaces of a different sort for new generations of people to live and play in. As a child, I grew up next to an orchard on the edge of the urban sprawl and I witnessed the orchard transform into a multi-lot residential housing estate. It attracted many families with young children that I established new friendships with.

The homes and backyards of those new friends became my new urban play spaces that I have fond memories of.

PROUD TO BE INVOLVED IN DEVELOPMENT OF REGION… From left, Chris Smith & Associates manager survey operations, David O’Halloran and survey assistant, Shea Flanagan. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

We went to school together and played sport together. The homes and backyards of those new friends became my new urban play spaces that I have fond memories of. Our staff have similar fond memories. That’s why we get a lot of satisfaction out of being involved in the creation of new housing estates.”

With so many combined years of experience in the industry, Chris Smith & Associates recognise that the success of a business can often be measured by the number of clients retained over the journey.

Chris said, “An important business ethos of ours is to provide a good

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professional client service which we see as an investment in a long term relationship that will encourage our clients to come back and use us again. We’re proud of all of the developments that we’ve been involved in, whether it be 1,000 lots or a simple two lot subdivision. All projects require professional expertise and care, irrespective of their size. That’s how we’ve helped to shape the Goulburn Valley and we will continue to provide a service that keeps pace with the growth of the region. Current indications are exciting for all those who are in our industry. The future looks very rosy.”

Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

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Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

A STRONG FUTURE FOR THE GOULBURN VALLEY… Link Building Systems residential project manager, Cameron Wood, commercial project manager, Brett MacKay and office manager/ estimator/foundation works project manager, Andy George. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

Adding to the strength of the industry WITH the total value of construction across the Goulburn Valley for 2015/16 year being $1.432B, there is some strong growth for the building industry predicted looking ahead.

In 2015, Brett Cam and Andy George from Link Building Systems wanted to create a business that added to the strength of the local industry and over the last two years have proven that through the completion of approximately 150 projects ranging from complete new home builds to small renovation jobs, commercial works and foundation repairs.

Today, the business utilises 15 staff and approximately 10 subcontractors to service a wide area throughout central Victoria providing a serviceable area of about 100km radius around Shepparton.

Bret t and A ndy said, “ Whether it be

new homes being built or older homes being modified the building boom has helped create a competitive market for those looking to renovate or build.

“There is a bright future for the Goulburn Valley. If the construction industry keeps growing there will be an increase in skilled labour meaning more growth and the potential for more jobs.

“If there is one message I would like to give, in order to support our local way of life, it would be to give your locals a chance in every industry.

Whether it be fruit and vegetables, or the local corner store, think about whose life you are changing by purchasing a product from a local and not just a multi-national company. Are you supporting the young family run business that provides an income for a single mother or the stakeholders of a large company?”

Residential boom across the region OVER the 2016 year there were 1,208 building approvals submitted across the Goulburn Valley, and this year seems to be starting off strongly.

This can be put down to a growing housing estate sector.

In Greater Shepparton alone, the last 12 months have outsold more than the previous two years.

Kevin Hicks Real Estate residential sales, Terry Shiels said, “Over the last 12 months, we have

seen a boom in residential growth across the region. In Shepparton’s Gardens Estate, there has been 18 lots sold and when you compare that to the one or two that sold in the 12 month period prior, the growth is clear to see.

“Enquiries from first home buyers is extremely strong, which can be put down to the current government incentives and this is seeing land estates sell very well.”

Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

Our Goulburn Valley

Infrastructure & Construction

Multi-million dollar court precinct taking shape

WHAT A SIGHT… An artist impression of the new $34.5M Shepparton Art Museum, which is expected to begin being constructed early 2018. Image: Supplied.

$34.5M new SAM; a coup for region BUILDING SKY-HIGH… The new $73M Shepparton Law Courts Precinct rises in the heart of Shepparton and stage one is still due for completion later this year. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

THE SKYLINE of Shepparton has already begun changing for the benefit of the entire region, with construction well on track for the new $73M Shepparton Law Courts Precinct.

With stage one planned for completion later this year and positioned on the corner of Wyndham and High Streets, the five storey building will provide a state-of-the-art legal precinct set to incorporate the 1930s heritage courthouse and feature a welcoming lobby inspired by images of river red gums, plenty of natural light and modern safety features.

Two of the six courtrooms will provide space

for juries and there will be scope for multijurisdictional services and flexible courtrooms to meet a range of caseload requirements.

Attorney general, Martin Pakula said, “The new Shepparton Law Courts Precinct will be a centre of court’s excellence, setting the standard for future regional court buildings in Victoria.

“The new court has been designed to reduce court delays, provide more accessible services and offer a safe, secure environment for all users.

“Improved waiting rooms will mean victims of family violence will be able to attend court feeling safer and more comfortable.”

OVER the last 12 months there has been a lot of excitement building on the impending construction of the new $34.5M Shepparton Art Museum (SAM).

In April, Denton Corker Marshall’s initial concept was chosen as the winning architectural building design, and in the next five months will reveal their final concept for the project, before a builder is chosen for the two year construction process, which is expected to begin early next year.

Over the construction phase, the project will create 72 jobs, and once the museum in operational, it will increase visitor spending in the region by $6.25M per annum and generate 23 jobs by the tenth year.

Denton Corker Marshall design director, Adrian FitzGerald said, “Our design is characterised by simplicity and clarity with compelling imagery creating a landmark cultural destination.

“By making the building small and tall we maximise parkland around the gallery and

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incorporate numerous places for community interaction, including a sculpture forecourt, community arbour, art hill, café and rooftop event venue along with sheltering verandahs to all four sides of the building. It will be an art museum that is a delight to work in and a pleasure to visit – again and again.”

S A M dire c tor, Reb e cc a C oate s sa id, “Shepparton can do with a beacon, a space that draws people to it. The chosen design is a very striking building and will enable us to look beyond the river red gums, beyond the lake.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with Denton Corker Marshall and to continue working with Greater Shepparton City Council and talking to the community and involve them in being increasingly excited about this building. “ The whole of Australia is looking at Shepparton and saying, this is a big step, be proud.”

Transport Transport driving the region ACCORDING to the latest data, there is an estimated 9,918 trucks registered across the Goulburn Valley, each help the transport sector drive the region to success. The total economic export impact is $4.558B and the total economic import impact is $4.808B. As part of this, Greater Shepparton exports

$1.650B of goods and imports $2.373B of goods, Moira Shire exports $1.023B of goods and imports $849.404M of goods, the Strathbogie Shire exports $357.306M of goods and imports $279.327M of goods and the Shire of Campaspe exports $1.528B of goods and imports $1.306B of goods.

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Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

Trucking into the future FIRST appointed McCormick International, it’s coming up to 70 years this October since Taig Bros was first established. What a pleasure it was to sit listening to John Taig as he discussed the changes he’s seen in the transport industry over the years.

John talked about the struggles faced by his father, Alf Taig and two uncles, Ron and Norm Taig having started the business at a time when the war had just ended. Rationing meant that the brothers could only sell as much as the government would allocate them.

John said, “In 1947 the business was more to do with agriculture than trucks. You’d have to call up and ask if you can get a tractor to sell, everything was rationed. A lot of the trucks ran on kerosene because you couldn’t get petrol. It was a different era in those days, nothing was easy. As we got into the ‘50s we had a massive influx of immigrants out of Italy, Albania and Germany and we had a lot of immigrants working for us.

John Taig entered the family business at age 18 back in 1962 when he got his truck licence and worked within various departments, assembling machinery, driving trucks and learning the ropes.

John said, “The industr y has changed tremendously and technology is going ahead at a million miles an hour. Most engine manufacturers now have really reached the pinnacle in relation to pollution. They simply can’t get an engine to burn any cleaner than what they do now, so a lot of the manufacturers are now looking at other means of trying to burn less fuel. That’s come about via various aerodynamic technologies and of course,

AN EVER CHANGING INDUSTRY… Taig Bros dealer principal, John Taig is always keeping an eye on the future of the industry and its success in the Goulburn Valley. Photo: Alicia Niglia. there’s the autonomous or driverless truck. They have already built driverless trucks and they are operating now in the mining industry.

“Into the future, I see that we will need to keep up with training and technology. That’s always

been important that we understand what we’re selling and can help our buyers with any of their questions. Knowing and having the answers makes you an essential service.”

Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

State-of-the-art weighbridge opens MANY may remember the big Garrett’s bins from their school days many years ago. Tom Garrett began Future Metals Recycling with his business partner, Tyrone Landsman who ran Thiess Waste Recycling in Melbourne. From humble beginnings, together this pair created a reputable and substantial business both in metropolitan and regional Victoria.

Shepparton’s Future Metals Recycling operation’s manager Justin Spokes worked for both companies in the early days. Justin remembers that, “Future Metals Recycling began in 2006 and it took off from there! In 2008 it opened its Dandenong depot, and acquired another scrap metal business in Hallam at about the same time. More recently, it acquired a transfer station and skip bin business in Pakenham called Cardinia Waste & Recyclers/Pakbin Hire.

“In 11 years there has been a lot of growth and one of our business strengths is that we are diversifying to meet demand whilst also making sure to keep up with modern technology.

“Locally, we have also recently commissioned a state-of-the-art 30m axle weighbridge, which is open for public and commercial use.

The weighbridge is widely used by a range of industries throughout the Goulburn Valley, from hay and grain trucks through to transport companies and by the public to weigh caravans or trailers.”

Future Metals Recycling in Shepparton is a scrap metal recycling depot where various metals are sorted, and either sold domestically or exported. With the Goulburn Valley being so rich in industry, there’s still a lot more material that can potentially be recycled.

REPUTABLE AND SUSTAINABLE… Future Metals Recycling operations manager, Justin Spokes at the new state-of-the-art weighbridge in Old Dookie Road, Shepparton. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

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Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

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Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

A family with trucking in their blood

PRIDE IN TRANSPORT INDUSTRY… From left, Keatings Freight Lines Pty Ltd family and co-owners, Ken, Stephen, Chris, Mark and Ashley Keating. Photo: Emma Hillier.

TRANSPORT and logistics provides one of the largest boosts to the Goulburn Valley economy, with the industry’s latest economic export impact being recorded at $4.558B. Having been a part of the transport industry across the Goulburn Valley for over 35 years, Keatings Freight Lines now services 165 local and multi-national clients between Shepparton, Melbourne and Albury, utilising the business’ 21 late model vehicles, which includes 15 prime movers and six rigid trucks, with 25 trailers including B Doubles, of which 75 percent are refrigerated.

The face of the business, Ken Keating has had over 60 years experience in the transport industry and today works alongside his three sons, Mark, Chris and Steve and grandson, Ashley.

Ken said, “Over the last 12 months we have been working on new vehicles with emission controls for fuel economy, Euro 5 engines to comply with new regulations.

“We are looking at further expansion in our Shepparton depot, but this has been put on hold for now while we further develop our Melbourne operation.

“There is always room for growth and currently, we are awaiting three new specialised trucks, which are to be delivered in the coming days.”

The Keating name has strong ties throughout the transport industry, so much so, that Ken recently joined his late father and two brothers in the Transport Hall of Fame.

Ken said, “I was proud to have been inducted into the Transport Hall of Fame alongside my late father, late brother, and also my younger brother who operates Keatings Transport in Bendigo as our Keating name goes back to the 1920s, but we all entered the transport industry on our own efforts in Bendigo, Swan Hill and Shepparton/Melbourne.

“We support all people in the Goulburn Valley and it’s important that all local businesses support one another to ensure everybody’s continued success.”

A growing Goulburn Valley’s transport sector TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED TRUCKS

9,918

GREATER SHEPPARTON HEAVY VEHICLES

3,716

MOIRA SHIRE HEAVY VEHICLES

1,781

SHIRE OF CAMPASPE HEAVY VEHICLES

3,413

STRATHBOGIE SHIRE HEAVY VEHICLES

1,008

Goods and services exported TOTAL ECONOMIC EXPORT IMPACT

$4.558B GREATER SHEPPARTON

MOIRA SHIRE

SHIRE OF CAMPASPE

STRATHBOGIE SHIRE

$1.650B $1.023B $1.528B $357.3M

Goods and services imported TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPORT IMPACT

$4.808B GREATER SHEPPARTON

MOIRA SHIRE

SHIRE OF CAMPASPE

STRATHBOGIE SHIRE

$2.373B $849.4M $1.306B $279.3M Page 58 August/September 2017 - Our Goulburn Valley Building a prosperous region together - The Shepparton Adviser

Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

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Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

Substantial effect on economic impact of transport industry

GROWING WITH THE REGION… Leocata’s Transport workshop manager, Steve Grinter servicing one of the prime movers at Leocata’s Transport’s dedicated on-site mechanic’s workshop. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

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EXPERIENCING an increase in transporting of products across Australia by 29,000 tonnes over the past year is quite impressive, and the positive impact that kind of operation has on the Goulburn Valley transport industry’s economic output is quite substantial.

Beginning with just four staff and two small trucks 18 years ago, Leocata’s Transport has grown to 70 staff and 32 trucks which transport for three blue chip companies, with a total of 300 customers across the Goulburn Valley. But their expansion doesn’t stop there, in the last 12 months, a new awning that adds additional storage and an area for the cross docking and consolidating of loads for clients was installed at the business’ Tatura depot and their dedicated mechanic’s workshop has been developed to allow for on-site mechanical works.

The family run, thriving transport business also recently purchased Nagambie Wine Storage & Transport, which has given them access to controlled atmosphere warehouses in Nagambie.

Leocata’s Transport’s Melbourne depot was also recently relocated to Altona, to further build on the company’s efficiencies.

Owner, Joe Leocata, who has been in the industry for 30 years, works alongside his wife, Sharon and sons, Marcus and Adrian.

Joe said, “The Goulburn Valley is a fantastic place to do business. We are very much big supporters of the local community. We utilised the services of J&S Iaria Concrete Contractors to help construct the new awning and Entegra completed the structure itself.

“What is special about businesses like ours is that the transport industry grows as other companies across the Goulburn Valley grow.

“We plan on continuing to grow with the industry and we’re always looking at ways to improve our efficiencies and to be more environmentally friendly.

We are currently looking into installing solar panels and have changed our tyres to a ‘re-tread’ using the service of Solar City Tyres, which allows us to re-use the tyre casings over and over again, which once again lessens the waste and our environmental impact.”

Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

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Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

National transport moving the region forward

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT… S. Sali & Sons operations manager, John Barrett, managing director, Sam Sali, general manager, Adem Sali and accounts manager, Leanne Chandler. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

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WHEN you sit down and read the posters on the walls of the office of S. Sali and Sons managing director, Mr Sam Sali you understand clearly his drive for his business. One poster reads, “Customers are not outsiders in our business, they are part of it,” followed by, “We are not doing our customers a favour by serving them, they’re doing us a favour by giving us the opportunity to do so.”

Sam said, “The business began in 1956 when my brother and I purchased a truck. Alan made the trip to the Melbourne markets over the summer and I would load and maintain the truck. I was always very interested in mechanics. In 1958 we got our first semi-trailer and by the mid ‘60s our fleet had expanded and we turned to interstate transport.”

The company has continued to grow and the fleet now consists of 10 prime movers, 18 trailers and a number of subcontractors running between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane transporting general freight.

Sam said, “We have many long term staff members and this company still prides itself on personal service.”

As a lifelong Rotary Club member with 100 percent attendance Sam is the recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow Award and says that in his 61st year in this business and 45 years as a Rotarian, he has no intention of hanging up his boots.

Sam said, “Opportunities come up all the time and based on past experience, I can say that’s where the future lies, the sky is the limit.”

Over the years, through their reliable service, S. Sali and Sons have supported growth and development in the Goulburn Valley transporting goods for businesses far and wide.

Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

Australia-wide success for local business AT just 21 years of age Anthony Sfetcopoulos became SE National Transport’s managing director, taking what was a small local distribution company to great heights.

This family business has grown from just three people in 2008 to now employing 80-100 staff.

Anthony said, “Wherever possible we source our supplies locally and we prefer to employ local people who actually care about the work and who really need a job.”

SE National Transport services the Goulburn Valley with general, commercial and industrial freight.

They act as a local distributer for Schweppes and manage full load interstate transport.

Anthony said, “From transporting concrete products for infrastructure to bulk raw materials like tin, steel and recycled paper as well as mixed retail goods, we work hard to keep expanding and exploring opportunities.

“Our service is customer driven and we are moving toward orders being completely electronic. GPS tracking is already reducing paperwork and I see it as incredibly important that we remain updated as technology takes us into the future.”

SE National Transport offers a complete distribution package covering all of Australia. Located in Shepparton, SE National Transport run their operations throughout the country. From light vans and parcel delivery trucks, heavy rigid trucks for pallet distribution all the way to Semi and B-Double combinations.

FROM LITTLE THINGS, BIG THINGS GROW… From left, SE National Transport managing directors, Joshua Sfetcopoulos, Angelo Sfetcopoulos and Anthony Sfetcopoulos. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

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Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

90,000 cubic metres of furniture moved across the country THERE are many local businesses that you may not know are responsible for certain products being in your home, but the Goulburn Valley has an abundance of them.

You may find that one such business, GV Transport, may have been responsible for the distribution of an item of furniture in your home, maybe even the couch or chair you are sitting on right now.

Beginning operations in 1996, a large portion of the 9 0,0 0 0 cubic metres of furniture t h at G V Tr a n sp o r t ’s trucks deliver each year is across Melbourne, country Victoria, Sydney and Brisbane servicing such clients as Harvey Norman, Forty Winks, Synargy, Chisholm House, Triumph, Linea Domo, Vivin, Cloud Nine and Dixie Cummings.

GV Transport proprietor, Scott Mundy said, “The local transport industry has always played an important part in helping bring the Goulburn Valley to Australia and beyond and for helping to bring the world to the Goulburn Valley.

“We are very much in support of industries across the local area and the local community in general, which is shown through hiring 15 local staff.

“Going forward, being centrally located in the Goulburn Valley we are looking to expand more into container unloading for local and international furniture importers and expanding our footprint in the 3PL warehousing area to continue contributing to the thriving transport industry.”

The local transport industry has always played an important part in helping bring the Goulburn Valley to Australia and beyond and for helping to bring the world to the Goulburn Valley.”

EXPANDING AT A RAPID PACE… From left, GV Transport director, Scott Mundy and 2IC, Danny Sanderman. Photo: David Lee.

The Goulburn Valley’s leading furniture transport & storage specialists

C E L E BR AT IN G

Y E A RS 5822 0200 56 Lemnos North Road, Lemnos

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Our Goulburn Valley

Transport

Vehicle rental and storage sheds business expands STARTING out in business some 25 years ago, Graham ‘Butch’ Goodfellow has created strong business ties that have networked across the Goulburn Valley to benefit so many along the way, Starting in Campbell Street with GV Car and Truck Rentals, known as ‘Rent-a-Wreck,’ Graham said, “There was just myself at that time. I purchased 10 vehicles and as the name suggests, they were wrecks!

My now deceased brother, Richard and I kept them on the road and after three years, we moved to what was the Taig Bros site on Benalla Road.

“Working in association with John Taig made for a smooth transition to the new site and considering the size of the block, inspired by a self storage conference I’d attended, I decided to develop self storage units which went hand in hand with car and truck rentals.

“Throughout the process I was ably assisted by Telfords Building Systems and have continued that association. Starting with just 24 sheds, we now have 170 sheds and 10 people in the team.

“I have been a staunch advocate being sure to purchase all of my building products, vehicles, parts and accessories from businesses within the Goulburn Valley and I usually sell them back again through local dealers.

If you live in an area you have to keep it vibrant, I have lived in Shepparton since 1963 and believe strongly in supporting our local community.

“I want to thank all of our customers and the strong business associations we’ve enjoyed over the years. I’d also like to thank my wife Tamara for all of her support.

“As a family business my succession plan is underway with the business moving safely toward the future hands of son in law, Andrew Hodges, my daughter Mandy Goodfellow (Hodges) and Liam Burke.”

BUSINESS MOVING FORWARD… Goodfellows Rental & Storage Solutions business owner, Graham (Butch) Goodfellow. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

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Education & the Arts Education and the arts lead to a thriving community IT’S no secret that education and the arts are what helps the culture of a community to thrive. True still, creativity and a solid education are two of the most important aspects of ensuring success in industry.

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According to the latest statistics, over a third of people across the Goulburn Valley aged over 15 have completed year 12 schooling, which is a slight increase compared to statistics from last year.

Our Goulburn Valley

Education and the Arts

Our Goulburn Valley

Education and the Arts

Education contributes to region’s $1.705B total economic output

SUCCESS THROUGH EDUCATION… Adding to the highly successful agriculture industry of the Goulburn Valley is the newest addition to La Trobe University’s courses, The Bachelor of Business (Agribusiness). Photo: Supplied.

THE GOULBURN Valley is booming, with improved growing technologies and the spread of on-farm value adding processes driving strong overall growth in the local economy, pushing the area’s total economic output to more than $1.705B. The importance of applying science, technology and entrepreneurial flair to farming businesses has underscored the importance of relevant, cutting edge education courses which can provide the workforce and education opportunities that local businesses need if they are going to take advantage of new global markets.

As a result, La Trobe Sheppar ton has introduced a new course designed to meet the needs of local business. The Bachelor of Business (Agribusiness) can now be completed without leaving the Goulburn Valley, providing students with the skills and knowledge relevant to the needs of local businesses.

Head of Shepparton La Trobe Campus, Sue Nalder said, “La Trobe is a world-class university and we are firmly committed to bringing cutting edge education programs which match the needs of local employers.

“The strength of agribusiness is fundamental to the future of the Goulburn Valley and this course will provide a group of young leaders equipped to make a strong contribution to local businesses.

“Even though the course has just started, graduates are in high demand and we have already established strong links with the local industry.

“We hope by offering the Bachelor of Business (Agribusiness) in Shepparton, more people can stay living, studying and working locally and strengthen the future of the Goulburn Valley.”

Local artist talent contributes to economic growth THERE is art in everything we do, every day of our lives, and the art scene across the Goulburn Valley is growing according to local artists, Nicky Kriss and Tank.

The region is breeding artists who are each gaining success inside and outside the region, including Jane Spencer, Mimi Leung, Ross Paterson, Serana Hunt and Hans Van Vlodrop. As just two of the local artists contributing to the economic output of an estimated $41M in Art and Recreation Services for Greater Shepparton alone, Nicky and Tank aren’t just known locally, but have had both national and international success with their artworks.

People may know Tank through some local murals and more notably the Mooving Art Cows, however, Tank has sold artworks that are hanging in homes in every state across Australia, as well as America, Canada, England, New Zealand and currently has a piece on tour in Italy.

The community would more notably know Nicky for her artworks being bought to be used on Channel 7’s television hit series, The Block, but as well as her works hanging in Bill & Beats in Mooroopna, she has had success in Bendigo, Western Australia and several other parts of Australia as well as New York, Portland in Oregon and New Zealand and has also appeared in art shows in New York and London.

Nicky and Tank said, “The art industry is an industry that is growing. It has a lot of room to move locally, but there is definitely a positive shift occurring.

“Art is in everything nowadays…it’s more than just painting, it’s become a part of everyday society; from food, gardening, fashion, music, design and even politics, art is definitely evolving.

“Arts and the creative side of all aspects will be recognised more in the future. Creativeness is at the forefront of all industry and this will continue to grow.”

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CREATIVITY THE LIFE OF THE REGION… Local artists, Nicky Kriss and Tank have had quite a lot of success locally and beyond in the arts sector, and are just a few adding to the economic output of the arts in the region. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

Services Servicing the Goulburn Valley to ensure success THE importance of business and organisational servicing is important in helping to continue the success of industry across the Goulburn Valley. There are many innovative and resourceful businesses including in the automotive and motors, waste, work

wear, landscape and gardening, recycling, aged care, garment cleaning, security and freight and transportation industries, that require the assistance of other businesses to allow for the continued growth of the region.

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Our Goulburn Valley

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44 years of service to the region We’re really proud of our family business and the reputation we’ve earned for the personal service we give the community. We’d like to thank our customers for their support and while we look to the future, we intend to continue as we have been... if it’s not broke… don’t fix it.

A SHEPPARTON LANDMARK SINCE 1973… Pat and Tina’s BP Service Station continue their excellent service. Pictured is business founder, Pat (deceased) with his van in 1973. Photo: Supplied.

NOTHING is more appreciated and valued in a community than genuine, old- fashioned care.

Any visitor to Shepparton will be surprised by the service they receive at Pat and Tina’s BP Service Station but proud locals know exactly what to expect. No need to get out of your car, they’ll fill it up just as it was done 44 years ago and they’ll wash the windscreen as you wait.

These simple acts offer customers a moment in time to experience the same model of service that existed all of those years ago. Real service.

In an overly competitive industry, Pat and Tina opened their business 44 years ago and have endured the test of time with their share of challenges along the way. In 1974 Shepparton’s worst floods in histor y devastated nor th Shepparton forcing the business to close for an entire year and later sky rocketing petrol prices and price wars all made for a difficult time.

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As Sheppar ton expanded, so did their customer base and the change in the petrol industry to self-serve is really what now sets Pat and Tina’s BP Service Station apart and has earned them such a wonderful reputation.

Pat and Tina’s have remained steadfast, shunning the notion of self-serve, instead providing the hands on service of years gone by.

Since Pat’s passing in 2003, Pat and Tina’s son Joe and his wife Angela along with Tina have been the face of the business and proudly maintain the same standards of service and care that Pat held so dear.

Joe said, “We’re really proud of our family business and the reputation we’ve earned for the personal service we give the community. We’d like to thank our customers for their support and while we look to the future, we intend to continue as we have been... if it’s not broke… don’t fix it.”

Our Goulburn Valley

Services

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Our Goulburn Valley

Services We also support other local community organisations, providing a home for the Goulburn Valley Community Fund within our office and are a founding member of the Lighthouse Project.

DEEP ROOTS IN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT… From left, GAME Traffic & Contracting Shepparton manager, Warren Ross, CEO, Craig Marshall, supervisor, Colin Colger and general manager, Shane O’Sullivan. Photo: David Lee.

Multifaceted approach to supporting the community FOR the past 24 years, one local business has been supporting the community in a bid to help make a difference, but the multifaceted undertakings of the business today known as GAME reaches far and wide.

GAME’s parent company Worktrainers has provided employment services for people with a disability in Shepparton since 1989, and in 1993 introduced GAME into the business model.

Starting with just one vehicle and three staff members, GAME originally offered a wheelie bin cleaning service, but today has once again diversified and the 140 staff provide services in traffic management, temporary fencing and gardening locally for the likes of Mawson’s Construction, Powercor, local construction companies, and council and have a reach as far as the Campaspe Shire, Moira Shire, Strathbogie Shire and Bendigo.

But the group has gone that one step further, and with three subsections, GAME, Recruitment Select and Worktrainers, the group employs 350 staff in total.

The group’s CEO, Craig Marshall said, “Recruitment Select is a labour hire company that employs 170 casuals working in 130 businesses across north east Victoria.

“The group has doubled in size over the last three years. We are really quite unique in what we do, there are few social enterprises with our scale in Australia.

“With revenue generated from our business activities, we are able to employ staff who help some 550 youth from secondary schools in Wodonga, Benalla, Mooroopna and Shepparton to help get them workforce ready through offering skills and training. This has been quite successful, with 93 percent of last year’s Year 12 participants

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transitioning from secondary school into the workforce or further training.

“We also support other local community organisations, providing a home for the Goulburn Valley Community Fund within our office and are a founding member of the Lighthouse Project. We are also patrons for the Big Blokes Lunch, we put back into the community on multiple levels,” CEO, Craig Marshall said.

“Our challenge remains improving levels of employment participation to get parody with Melbourne for regional centres within the next couple of generations.

GAME’s general manager, Shane O’Sullivan said “Because GAME actually provides a community dividend, we need to continue to grow the business so we can keep increasing that contribution.

Our Goulburn Valley

Services

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Our Goulburn Valley

Services “We are excited about the future of the Goulburn Valley.

GROWTH TO CONTINUE WITH 190 STAFF… From left, Gouge Garment & Linen Services directors, Rob and Phil Priestly provide support for many local organisations who aim to improve the outcomes for those who require the use of their services. Photo: David Lee.

Gouge set for major expansion

More than 1,000 businesses support local linen service GOUGE Garment & Linen Services is a locally owned commercial laundry and dry cleaners which has been in operation since May 1945. Gouge has expanded over the past 20+ years, now providing service to major hospitals, hotels and aged care facilities all around Victoria & Southern New South Wales.

With 22 trucks out on the road each day servicing over 1,000 clients, Gouge is a dynamic and high-production organisation. This is made possible by the company’s committed employees. Senior management at Gouge pride themselves on maintaining a happy, supportive and diverse workplace.

Director, Rob Priestly said, “We are extremely fortunate that our hard working and talented workforce, have been able to continue to maintain our quality and service levels to our customers as the business grows.”

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Due to significant recent growth, Gouge has been able to increase staff numbers from 160 to 190 across the business in the past year. Most of these new positions have been filled by locals at the company’s Mooroopna plant and this number is predicted to keep growing with planned expansions in the business.

“We are excited about the future of the Goulburn Valley,” director, Phil Priestly said. “We are committed to the area for the long term. We embrace a diverse workforce in a supportive environment and offer genuine career opportunities.

“We support local organisations who aim to improve outcomes for those who need a helping hand and we will continue to grow the business, offering more employment opportunities to local jobseekers.”

Our Goulburn Valley

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Adding to a land of expansion and growth HELPING REGION EXPAND…Land Management Surveys Shepparton proprietor, Michael Toll.

Photo: Alicia Niglia.

D E V ELOP ERS, councils, gover nment departments, builders, farmers and new lot owners wanting boundaries checked all rely on the services provided by a land surveyor, and with the Goulburn Valley currently experiencing an infrastructure boom, sur veying ha s never been more prevalent.

For more than t h e l a s t 24 y e a r s , Land Management Surveys (LMS) have been undertaking farm surveys, cadastral sur veys (t i t l e), s u b d i v i s i o n s, feature surveys, drone sur veys, planning permit applications, civil engineering design and drafting services for various businesses and individuals from across almost all industries in the region.

Since its inception, LMS Shepparton has successfully accomplished thousands of commercial, residential, and government projects including re-establishment of parcels and consolidation of titles, re-zoning and subdivision

applications for new housing developments in the Shepparton region, land acquisition surveys for various shires and VicRoads throughout northern Victoria and whole farm plans for dairy, orchard, plantations, rice and grazing properties within the Goulburn Valley and surrounds just to name a few.

LMS Sheppar ton proprietor, Michael Toll said, “We currently have four surveyors and one survey contractor and we are dedicated to adding to the local number of employment.

“The projects we take on have helped local businesses, organisations and councils to continue with expansion and growth.

“I have been consulting in the region since 1980 and having seen the progression of the Goulburn Valley over that time, I expect that Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley will continue to prosper and that LMS will still be providing surveying services for years to come.”

The projects we take on have helped local businesses, organisations and councils to continue with expansion and growth.

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Our Goulburn Valley

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Keeping trucks on the road LIFEBLOOD OF TRUCKING INDUSTRY… From left, Inter Continental Spares manager, Scott Nind and business owner, Jack Nind. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

THE Goulburn Valley’s transport and trucking industry is the lifeblood to so many in our region. Many local businesses depend on trucking transportation for their livelihood. Supporting the industry, Inter Continental Spares is a family run business that has been in operation for over 30 years.

Established in 1985 by business owner, Jack Nind who recognized that trailers are integral to truck owners making an income and could see there was a gap in the Shepparton market.

Offering semi-trailer repairs, manufacturer and refrigeration unit sales and repairs, the business has grown from just one to now employing 14.

Inter Continental Spares manager, Scott Nind said, “Our aim is to keep the trucks on the road so that they can get on with the job. We offer a range of semi-trailers for sale, as well as a wide range of services and accessories, including shipping containers and refrigerated trailers. Our large and well-fitted workshop is located in Shepparton and designed especially to accommodate B-double trailers.

“We are fully stocked with semi trailer parts and we sell and deliver shipping containers and import many items from the USA including Thermo King refrigeration units, golf carts and pontoon barbie boats.”

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Our Goulburn Valley

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Built on nuts and bolts INDUSTRIAL SPECIALISTS… From left, Ultimate Fasteners sales assistant, Dave White with regular customer from Maddison Wright Engineering, Rick Brennan. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

TEN years ago Mark Shanahan and Dean Jones saw a n opp or tunit y, they took a chance and Ultimate Fasteners was born. Starting in the shed out the back, the shop has expanded with them as they now form a team of 12.

Dean said, “Our main line is nuts and bolts but as our customer base has grown, we’ve grown with them and now offer a one stop shop offering a variety of tools to get the job done. We’ve got great storage facilities and keep a huge range of stock so professional trades and builders know that when they come in, we’ve got exactly what

they need so they can get on with the job.”

With over 50 years combined experience in the nut and bolt industry, Dean said, “Mark and I are locals and are proud to support our community, we employ locals and we especially pride ourselves on our customer service.”

Three years ago Ultimate Fasteners opened a second store in Wodonga and under the Construction Supply Specialists group, Ultimate Fasteners have excellent buying power and offer good quality and reliable brands.

Mark and Dean are very proud of the service they provide to customers who often depend on their consistent supply to earn a livelihood.

Ultimate Fasteners also service the public. From small to large supplies, Ultimate Fasteners can meet your needs.

Mark and I are locals and are proud to support our community, we employ locals and we especially pride ourselves on our customer service.

FUN FACT: The median weekly personal income for people aged 15 years and over in Greater Shepparton is $588, in the Shire of Campaspe is $561, in the Strathbogie Shire is $546 and in the Moira Shire is $524.

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Our Goulburn Valley

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Rewarding the Goulburn Valley community by giving back Offering a program like this to the community is helping the Goulburn Valley communities to work together to continue thriving.

ADDING TO A THRIVING COMMUNITY… From left, Fairleys SUPA IGA store manager, Craig Bramley, Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Dinny Adem and Fairleys SUPA IGA owner, Michael Lorenz with the cheque outlining the latest total for this year’s ‘Big Cheques’ donated as part of the Community Chest/Grants program. Photo: Melanie Spencer.

THE STRENGTH of a community comes down to working together to reach a common goal, and when an independent business creates a program to provide an opportunity to give back, it helps to see the community continue to thrive.

Since 2012, Fairleys SUPA IGA in Shepparton has not only been giving back to the community through its Community Grants program, but is also seeing shoppers capable of allocating funds toward its Community Rewards Program, which is then donated to community groups and organisations across the region.

Over the last 12 months, $53,000 in ‘Big Cheques’ was donated, bringing the total donated since the program’s inception to $225,000.

Owners, Michael and Rosemary Lorenz said, “Fairleys has had a long history (over 56 years) of community involvement under the former owner, John Gaylard.

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“ We share this common goal and the establishment of the Fairleys Community Rewards Program was the realisation of this.

“The program was designed to be a fair and equitable way for us to share our profits with customers and the community.

“We have a wide range of community groups that have signed up to be part of the Fairleys SUPA IGA Community Rewards program, from schools to local charities all with a great need for great causes.

“One current standout is the Goulburn Valley Hospice Care who have around 180 families supporting them and they raised a total of $17,000, just imagine if we had all shoppers donating points.

“Offering a program like this to the community is helping the Goulburn Valley communities to work together to continue thriving.”

Our Goulburn Valley

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Industry across the region relies on mechanics

HELPING TO GET THE JOB DONE… Total Tools business owners, Ray and Haxhije Cox, supplying quality tools and equipment throughout the Goulburn Valley. Photo: Nicholise Garner.

Growing from strength to strength TRADES and services are a huge industry in the Goulburn Valley, so many trades depend on their tools and equipment in order to get their jobs done. As local industry and domestic suppliers, Total Tools Shepparton business owners Ray and Haxhije Cox have gone out of their way to ensure they have a wide variety of reputable tool and equipment brands in stock at any one time.

Growing from strength to strength, Ray and Haxhije Cox took over GV Tools and Industrial Supplies in 2009, rebranding to United Tools in 2010, relocated to 43 Benalla Road in 2011, and then joined the Total Tools franchise in 2014.

Due to the increase in customer demand and stock levels, they moved to their current site at 87

Benalla Road Shepparton in August 2016.

The decision to move into the franchise was an easy one, based on years of experience in the industry, Ray and Haxhije had already built a reputation as trusted suppliers to many in the industry and now under the banner of Total Tools, they have been able to increase their buying power and have widened their range.

Ray said, “We aim to further develop and increase our product range catering to ‘DIYers’ as well to our professional trades and builders.

Keeping that in mind, we’re excited to be one of the first stores locally to be the exclusive stockists of EGO Outdoor power equipment and have recently started stocking RAMSET Products.”

MECHANICAL ECONOMIC SUCCESS… Mech-Elec Air & Automation senior service technician, Peter Mansfield. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

FARMERS, companies who produce consumer goods, transport businesses, irrigation services and many other large and small businesses across the Goulburn Valley rely on industrial mechanics, electricians and being provided with compressors in order to continue the adding to the total economic output of the region.

Mech-Elec Air & Automation originally started in Bendigo in 2012, but due to the demand for its services, they opened up shop in Shepparton in 2015 and today offer their services across the Goulburn Valley, Victoria and as far as New South Wales.

Providing services in industrial mechanical, industrial compressors, industrial electrical projects and labour hire, Mech-Elec’s client base across the Goulburn Valley includes Fonterra, SPC, Campbell’s, Unilever, George Weston Foods, Telfords, Shepparton Motor Body Builders, Willprint, Ryan’s Meats, Coliban

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Water, Goulburn Valley Water and Ridley’s.

Managing director, Lee Seelenmeyer said, “Our Shepparton store opened during 2015 due to an increase in business growth and local demand from multinational companies, who wanted a quality service provider.

“We currently employ a number of local people, with the vision to increase this number and to be a national company with our main base here in Shepparton.

“We aim to continue providing outstanding customer service and further our business’s positive reputation.

“Looking to the future, we would like to be able to offer locally based youth leaving school with the option of employment into a successful career in our organisation and industry, which would help to lower the unemployment rate and add to the economic output for the region.”

Our Goulburn Valley

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Communication links critical to Goulburn Valley businesses

SERVICING MORE THAN 1,500 BUSINESSES… Telstra Business Centre Northern Victoria regional sales manager Victoria, Tim Sali. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

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IT is often said that communication is the key to the success of almost everything in life, but it certainly is truer more so when it comes to the success of any business.

Ser vicing on average over 1,500 businesses annually across the Goulburn Valley and beyond for approximately 15 years, Telstra Business Centre Northern Victoria has been ensuring the continued contributions of business within the Goulburn Valley and keeping them connected with people across the world through the latest in technology.

Telstra Business Centre Northern Victoria regional sales manager Victoria, Tim Sali said, “Telstra Business Centre Northern Victoria provides a wide range of the latest technology to small-to-medium sized businesses, from cloud computing to mobile phones, mobile broadband and National Broadband Network (NBN) ready digital office systems. All of this enables us to offer one of the most important aspects of any business that is one of the key elements to their success.

“We have six staff who help to service businesses within a 200km radius around Shepparton, which continues to keep the wheels turning and adds to the total economic output of the region.

“Businesses need to keep evolving with the times otherwise they will get left behind. We believe the more connected people are, the more opportunities they have, we get excited about helping our clients grow their business and we love being a part of that growth.”

Our Goulburn Valley

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Cutting edge equipment and staff keys to imaging group AFTER 30 years as premier health care providers in Shepparton, The Goulburn Valley Imaging Group (GVIG) has joined forces with Focus Radiology, directly benefiting patients old and new.

Goulburn Valley Imaging Group CEO, Stavros Dodos said, “This merger means the services we are able to offer in all areas have been increased and improved. With our combination of resources including 11 radiologists and 110 plus technical and support staff, there is less waiting time, more specialised care and better diagnostics.”

“As the only providers of mammography in the region and with three female specialists, together GVIG and Focus Radiology have all of the latest technology, and crucially, a talented group of in-house specialists at our finger-tips.”

Previous medical records now shared between the service centres are helping to make diagnosis faster and more precise.

Stavros said, “The merger has allowed our team of specialists to now work more closely within their sub specialities. Within a 2km radius in Shepparton we have three CT machines, two nuclear medicine machines, a MRI unit, the only mammography service and numerous X-ray and ultrasound machines. With expert services and fast access to patient results and images, GVIG can meet your needs.”

GVIG offers imaging across a broad area of Victoria and Southern New South Wales with comprehensive services located at Benalla, Seymour and Kyabram which also provide limited after hours services. Three conveniently located practises in Shepparton, two in Echuca and satellite practises in Cobram, Mansfield, Numurkah, Euroa and Rochester.

CONTINUOUS INVESTMENT IN NEW EQUIPMENT… Focus Radiology radiologist and nuclear physician, Dr Austin Kent, Goulburn Valley Imaging Group CEO, Stavros Dodos and Goulburn Valley Imaging Group radiologist, Dr Amit Lakkaraju. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

24 hour services are available at Focus Radiology Shepparton and Echuca Radiology for hospital inpatients.

Stavros said “All GVIG sites utilise the same state-of-the-art imaging equipment and are connected via one computer operating system hence the flow of images and management is continuous

between all institutes with obvious advantages for the patients and referring doctors.

“At GVIG clinics we can ensure everyone has access to an affordable and high quality medical imaging service regardless of whether they live in a large regional centre or a small country town.”

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Closing the gap between Shepparton and Melbourne

WORKING TOGETHER TO TAKE YOU PLACES… From left, school bus supervisor, Sharon Warner, driver, Gordon Youie, safari cook, Nicole Smith, driver, Mike Harper, business owner Leonie Balfour, driver Chris Harvey, business owner, Leonard Balfour, office administration, Fiona Stuart, Leonard’s father, Rob Balfour, driver, Graeme Betts, Leonard’s mother Val Balfour, drivers, Michael Bishop and Peter Smullen and Monty (the dog). (Absent), drivers, Neil Verhoeven and Gary Ford, safari cook, Janette Smith and school bus supervisor, Sandra LePage. Photo: Nicholise Garner.

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NEXT year looks to be a big one for Balfours Mooroopna Pty Ltd as they approach 10 years in the business. This family business owned and run by Leonard and Leonie Balfour is well established not only as a local charter service but also as an interstate coach service with a difference.

They started out with one bus driven by Leonard on a local school run but business quickly increased to local char ter work and later school and educational tours to Canberra, Sydney, Central Australia, Darwin, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek.

They then began accommodation and camping tours and expanded when they acquired the airport business. Balfours Mooroopna now have eight buses and 15 staff and have increased their Airport shuttle services to twice a day, seven days a week.

Taking holiday planning to a new level, Balfours Airport Direct is now running private group charters to suit any group’s travel needs.

Leonard said, “Your holiday starts as soon as you get on the bus. We travel nationally and can help you plan your group’s holiday to any place in Australia. This service has been established to suit any group, whether it be senior citizens, church groups, probus clubs, family, social or work groups, we can work to your timetable and budget and with our knowledge we can suggest ways to expand on your holiday. The beauty about this service is that we step outside of the usual boundaries and we customise trips to suit your needs.”

Leonard and Leonie are grateful to their team and to their loyal customers and look forward to further expansion as they increase travel nationally.

Our Goulburn Valley

Services

Independent parts business offers flexibility SERVICING Shepparton’s agricultural sector for 35 years, Shepp City Bearings is a family run business established in 1982 by Stanley Milne.

Five years ago, second generation owners Megan and Troy Lloyd took over the business.

Stocking par ts for tractors and farm equipment Troy said, “Customer service isn’t hard, we just solve problems for people. It’s important that we have plenty of stock available, especially for our farmers during the harvest seasons. People who depend on machinery for their livelihood can’t wait for parts to come in.”

Over the years Shepp City Bearings has extended their ser vices and space now servicing the automotive and industrial industries while remaining one of the Goulburn Valley’s first points of call for our farmers.

Troy said, “We are an independent company and that means that we carry what we want and that gives us the flexibility to meet our customer’s needs.”

ENSURING ENGINE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR FARMERS… From left, the team at Shepp City Bearings, sales representatives, Gavin Morgan, and Steve Sanderson, business owner, Troy Lloyd, sales and warehouse, Jack McCarten, sales representative, Dale Clarke and sales and warehouse, Emi Bailey. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

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Local people, covering local people COVERING BUSINESSES IN TIMES OF CRISIS… From left, the team at Elders Insurance, Will Phillips, Zoe Heyward, Richard Barry, Elaine Christie and John Low. Photo: Supplied.

IF you run a business or farming operation, you probably have invested heavily in purchasing property, buildings, plant, equipment, stock, staff and the list goes on. In the event of the unthinkable occurring, like a building burning down or equipment being stolen, what financial position is your business in to rebuild or replace?

Elders Insurance Shepparton, Kyabram and Tatura is a trusted insurance agency business built on a

successful structure between its dedicated director of 15 years, Will Phillips and his experienced local team.

The three offices, cover a good part of the Goulburn Valley and is among the larger of Elders Insurance agencies in Victoria. The experience, knowledge and expertise within their group ensure that their customers receive the very best service and advice available in the region.

Will is proud of his investment in the community,

“The contribution we make to our local communities, where we live and work, is something we are extremely proud of. We employ local people and sponsor a number of local sporting clubs, schools and community associations, plus our ability to pay most claims from each of our offices we are able to focus on using local tradespeople, suppliers and retailers for replacement goods and services.”

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FUN FACTS: • The Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industry had the largest number of total registered businesses in the City of Greater Shepparton, comprising 21.7 percent of all total registered businesses, compared to 7.1 percent in Victoria.

• In the Shire of Strathbogie, women make up 50.6 percent of the population.

• The Greater Shepparton region’s sports calendar brings with it an annual economic boost of $28M.