Victorian wine association Winemakers of Rutherglen has welcomed Chris Gillard as its first-ever independent chairperson to the organisation.
The association which has been in operation for over 25 years, hopes that under new leadership it can better support business development, innovation and collaboration between the 19-member wineries.
Gillard, formerly general manager of Federation Shire, has extensive experience in senior local government roles, hospitality and tourism and is excited about joining a positive and forward-thinking organization.
“I have always enjoyed our local wines and food, and the more I get involved, the more I learn about how lucky we are to have it right on our doorstep. I look forward to having an impact on the region’s tourism, government relations, and working with the board to create
a sustainable future for the Winemakers of Rutherglen,” he said.
The organisation represents members to all levels of government, supports Australian and Victorian tourism and marketing initiatives, as well as providing business and skills development.
“As the organisation has grown, we’ve looked to similar wine associations both here in Australia and overseas in order to find a governance model that will help support us into the future,” said Natalie Ajay, Winemakers of Rutherglen executive officer.
“As we become a more strategic and influential organisation, finding strong and independent leadership has become a priority for our members. We are the first wine association in Victoria, and the smallest membership-based wine association in Australia to appoint an independent chair. I think this is a really important gesture from the Winemakers of Rutherglen about our belief in our future, in our region and the value of strong strategic leadership.”
The organisation is collaborating with Wine Victoria, Visit Victoria and the federal government to deliver a multi-million-dollar wine tourism strategy over the coming twelve months, which will aim to increase visitors to regional wineries.
“The future is looking bright for the Winemakers of Rutherglen and I’m keen to leverage my skills and experience to help this organisation reach its full potential,” Gillard added.
