The Southern Highlands Food and Wine Association has entered a new era.
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Read more: 2018 Food and Wine Festival Pictures
The association elected a new president following the end of Mark Bourne’s five-year term.
John Scott of Highlands Food and Wine Tours was elected to be the new association president and has previously served as secretary.
“It is an exciting time in the Southern Highlands region with the Association in a very strong position,” Mr Scott said.
“I am delighted with the new increased committee nominations and the new committee members’ broad range of experience and expertise, which I am confident will serve the region, the association and members into the future."
Outgoing president, Mark Bourne has retired to a casual committee position in an advisory role to the new committee and plans to focus on his wine business, Cuttaway Hill Wines in Exeter as well as his executive board roles with the NSW Wine Industry Association and the National Wine & Grape Industry Centre at Charles Sturt University.
“It has been an honour to represent the region, the association and members over the last five years and I would like to particularly thank the current committee members who have contributed their time, expertise and hard work for the Association and to the regions food and wine industry,” Mr Bourne said.
“It has been inspiring and a privilege to work with a committed and supportive team for the last five years."
Also retiring from the committee was long-serving strategy and marketing expert, Leonie Poulton of Moss Vale following four years’ service for the association and the Southern Highlands region.
The Southern Highlands Food and Wine Association is the region’s peak representative body for food and wine producers and agri-tourism.
The newly elected committee comprises of a broad range of members across the membership including representatives from food production, wine production, tour operators, chefs, distillers and restauranteurs.
The association’s core mandate is to promote the Southern Highlands as a premier food and wine destination and represent its members at local, state and federal government level on core issues for the industry.
The associations recent highlights and successes from the past year have included:
- The annual Southern Highlands Food and Wine Festival held at Bradman Oval, Bowral
- The development and launching of a new regional beer and cider festival in 2019
- The annual Australian Highlands Wine Show Awards
- Hosting the NSW Wine awards judging in 2018 for the first time in the region’s history
- Successful funding and partnership with Destination Southern Highlands for a $100,000 international digital wine tourism project
- Funding contributions for a ‘History of Wine in the Southern Highlands’ 12-month exhibition at the Berrima District Museum
- Partnering with Destination Southern Highlands for the Pie and Pinot Trail during Pie Time
- Sponsor support of the NSW Pie competition
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