The Bundaberg and Burnett region’s iconic producers, award-winning businesses and tourism operators unveiled their goods to eager VIP guests at an exclusive event at Parliament House this week.
More than 100 guests, including Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, were treated to a culinary tour of Bundaberg and Burnett’s finest produce and enjoyed an array of interactive displays from the region’s peak organisations and tourism operators at the Bundaberg Region Promotion Night last night.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett hosted the event to showcase the region’s best products, experiences and services in our state’s capital to draw in more visitors.
The special event featured the region’s biggest names including Bundaberg Rum, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks and Bundaberg Sugar, as well as upcoming local companies such as the Bargara Brewing Company and Baffle Beer Brewery.
Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers were also on hand to showcase the rich, vibrant horticultural commodities and value-add products from the Wide Bay-Burnett to reinforce the region’s position as the state’s food bowl.
Mr Bennett said it was clear Bundaberg was powering on after suffering from two major flood events.
“The Wide Bay-Burnett is a major contributor to the state’s economy and to have multi-million dollar success stories coming out of our region and still going strong should make us all incredibly proud,” he said.
“The Bundaberg and surrounding region’s horticulture industry continues to grow year to year and we are one of the largest production horticulture regions in Australia.
“The region has a farm gate value of about $500 million and injects more than a billion dollars into the economy, playing an important role in our nation’s food security.”
Mr Bennett said he was thrilled Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, another family-owned success story, was able to attend the promotion evening.
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks’ CEO John McLean said the company had been craft-brewing premium adult soft drinks in the town since around 1960 and the beverages were performing really well.
“Domestically we’re the fasted growing CSD brand in supermarkets, out of the top 10 brands in Australia, and the second largest selling non-cola SKU. There is currently a decline in the overall CSD category by 4.7%, so our growth really speaks to the growing trend towards craft-brewed adult beverages,” Mr McLean said.
“We presently export to over 30 countries around the globe and have a good footprint in Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and we’re starting to spread across the United States” said McLean, “at present, New Zealand is our largest export market. The U.S will soon surpass this as we are experiencing 50% growth year on year.
“We are proud to be involved with the Bundaberg Region Promotion Night at Parliament House, an event that helps to promote the achievements of the region and all the wonderful things it has to offer.”
Mr Bennett said he welcomed multi-award-winning organisation IWC’s participation in this year’s event.
“The IWC was recently named the National Aboriginal Medical Service of the Year in the prestigious national Australian General Practice Accreditation awards,” he said.
“The IWC is leading the way in delivering a new paradigm of community and private partnerships to empower indigenous people, the vulnerable, disadvantaged and at-risk.”
Mr Bennett said the event had been a huge success and he had received positive feedback from attendees.
“It’s a true testament of the superior quality and range of products and services that’s being produced from the Wide Bay-Burnett,” he said.
“Nothing makes me prouder than to see so many award-winning local products, services and experiences all on show under the one roof at Queensland Parliament.”
ENDS.
16 June 2016