Governemnt grant for Gippsland beef brand
A Gippsland beef brand including four local producers, has received a state government grant to seek export markets and expand their business.
Gippsland Natural Meats is a co-operative of 11 beef producers from across the Gippsland region, including four local producers at Neerim, Nayook and Buln Buln East.
The state government last week announced Gippsland Natural Meats had received a Food Source Victoria Planning and Growth Grant to move the business to the next stage in its development.
The grant will allow the company to expand the marketing and sales side of their business and develop relationships in target markets more quickly and professionally.
Gippsland Natural Meats director Paul Crock welcomed the news. “This grant allows us to do exactly what we should be doing, pushing high quality, sustainably produced grass fed beef product into the export market.”
Gippsland Natural Meats was one of the first groups to recognise the brand power of beef produced under free range, grass fed production systems.
The brand, underpinned with environmental credentials and Meat Standard Australia grading, has helped them establish a presence in the domestic beef market.
Among the 11 farmers supplying to Gippsland Natural Meats are: Bruce and Del Harrington-Hawes of Nayook; Bruce and Judy Mackintosh of Neerim; Ian (Clancy) Batty and Carolyn Ferguson of Buln Buln East; and Betty Tromp of Neerim.
Customers can already order direct from the Gippsland Natural Meats online store, and their beef is supplied to retail butchers and high-end restaurants in Melbourne and across Victoria.
They also have developed a range of partnerships in value-added products such as hamburgers, pies and healthy meal solutions, and even ethically-raised, high welfare dog food.
Gippsland Natural Meats supplies premium steaks into the signature grain and grass restaurant at the Australian Open tennis each year, and hamburgers and other beef cuts to Melbourne Park and Etihad Stadium.
The Food Source Victoria grant will be used to extend their brand to the export market.
Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford said the grants would help the Gippsland Natural Meat brand continue to grow, find new markets and support jobs.
“We’re growing Victoria’s food and fibre industry – helping producers, processors and exporters build their business and find new opportunities,” she said.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said it was great news for Gippsland Natural Meats, and speaks volumes about the quality of our produce right across Gippsland.
Law Institute of Victoria president Belinda Wilson will visit Warragul later this month as part of a regional tour.
Ms Wilson will be in Warragul on Monday, June 26 visiting members of the Law Institute of Victoria.
Ms Wilson grew up in Gippsland at Coongulla, near Heyfield, attending primary school at Boisdale and secondary school at Gippsland Grammar.
She is visiting the Gippsland region to listen and discuss legal issues with local lawyers.
Ms Wilson has been a Law Institute Council member since 2014, and has been involved with the Law Institute since 2004 in a variety of roles, including past president of the Gippsland Law Association.
In 2011 she was named LIV Regional Lawyer of the Year, and in 2012 was named Victorian Young Property Lawyer of the Year by the Law Council of Australia.