Geelong manufacturers have won four awards at the prestigious Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards this year – recognising the outstanding achievements of our local manufacturers.
Congratulations to all Geelong winners, including long-standing GMC members Godfrey Hirst, Cobram Estate Olives, and Maddison McFadden of Viva Energy on their well-deserved wins.
These prestigious awards are a testament to the hard work, innovation, and resilience of Geelong’s manufacturing sector.
A huge congratulations to our very own GMC members:
🏆 Godfrey Hirst – Regional Manufacturer of the Year
Founded in Geelong in 1865, Godfrey Hirst is one of Australia’s most recognised carpet brands. Celebrating 160 years of manufacturing this year, the company continues to lead with exceptional quality and cutting-edge materials.
🏆 Cobram Estate Olives – Medium Manufacturer of the Year
As Australia’s largest olive oil producer, Cobram Estate supplies over 80% of the domestic market. Over the past decade, the company has expanded internationally, becoming the second-largest olive oil brand in California – remarkable achievements.
🏆Maddison McFadden, Viva Energy Australia – Young Manufacturer of the Year
Senior Process Engineer & Future Fuels Lead at Viva Energy, Maddison’s work has helped drive forward some of Viva Energy’s pioneering projects at the Geelong refinery. This has included the successful processing of tyre and plastic pyrolysis oils and the development of food grade recycled plastic from used cooking oil – helping Viva Energy develop solutions for Australia’s circular economy and the production of lower carbon fuels.
Full list of Geelong winners:
🏆 Godfrey Hirst – Manufacturer of the Year – Regional Business
🏆 Cobram Estate Olives – Manufacturer of the Year – Medium Business
🏆Maddison McFadden, Viva Energy Australia – Young Manufacturer of the Year
🏆Conflux Technology – Leader in Manufacturing
Other Geelong finalists:
Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year: Iesha Swan from Hanlon Industries
Leader in Textile, Clothing and Footwear: Godfrey Hirst
Leader in Food and Beverage: Cobram Estate Olives
Manufacturer of the Year – Regional Business: Cobram Estate
Young Manufacturer of the Year: Josie Eastman from Edencraft International
Manufacturer of the Year – Regional Business: Care Essentials
Manufacturer of the Year – Medium Business: Care Essentials
Congratulations to all winners and finalists from Geelong – it’s fantastic recognition for your outstanding work and testament to our region’s incredible manufacturing skills and capabilities.