Moore Venison and the Glen Innes Severn Council were award recipients at the eighth Regional Development Australia Northern Inland Innovation awards held at the Glen Innes Services Club last Friday night.
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The event was attended by over 130 people, from across the region.
RDA Northern Inland Chair Russell Stewart said it was an extremely competitive awards program, with more than 60 entries received.
“Every winner was pretty special, Aussies don't like to blow their own trumpet and these awards have recognised outstanding regional innovators who have generally been quiet achievers, until now," he said
Mr Stewart said that Moore Venison from the Glen Innes area received an award in the Retail, Tourism and Leisure category.
“Moore Venison was innovative when they diversified a traditional New England grazing farm business into the region's only venison producing agribusiness.” he said.
“Now, they have diversified into the tourism sector, targeting hunters who seek a complete, traditional hunting experience, complete with dressing and consuming their kill.”
Moore Venison owner Graham Moore said they are very happy to be recognised for what they are doing.
“We have a niche market and we have turned a problem into a profit, our product was available on the night and it was very popular with many people commenting that it was their first time tasting venison and how good it tasted,” he said.
“Our innovation has worked because we have game hunters from all over Australia and overseas come to us to have an experience.”
Mr Stewart commended the Glen Innes Severn Council who took an award home in the UNE Professional and Government Services category for their off-stream water storage project.
“Council firstly identified the opportunity to purchase the profitable hard rock quarry and continuing the operation of this well-established business, and secondly, to use the old quarry pits to store a large amount of water, which is a visionary and innovative project,” he said.
“Glen Innes Severn Council has now secured a water supply of up to two and a half years after the Beardy Waters have stopped flowing compared to five months previously.”
Council Director of Infrastructure Services Keith Appleby said it is nice that the project has been recognised as being innovative.
“This award reflects well on councillors for their courage of their convictions to move forward with the project despite community concerns,” he said.