Regional and agriculture business owners pursue growth

Over 73 years, Bill Montague has watched the orchard he planted in Narre Warren North grow into a $150 million-a-year apple and stone fruit business. Along the way, he’s been awarded the Order of Australia for his services to the fruit industry – and now, at the age of 95, has seen his grandchildren use state-of-the-art technology to build on these impressive foundations.

“The family just spent nearly five years and about $66 million on a processing, logistics and cold storage facility,” says Chief Innovation Officer Rowan Little. “Our new grading technology uses cameras to inspect the outside of the fruit and an infrared ray to check the inside so the same workforce can now process three times the quantity.”

Montague exports to Europe, Asia, the US and the Middle East. Thanks to their investment in innovative technology, they have the capacity to continue growing the business and targeting new markets.

A collaboration between agribusiness owners in Whitton in the NSW Riverina, the Malt House is designed to showcase the region’s produce in a fine-dining setting. “It’s really about being a regional tourism ambassador, being a platform for other businesses,” general manager Diana Williams says.

Located adjacent to Voyager Craft Malt, visitors can learn about grain production and the malting process while enjoying whiskies, craft beers and regional specialties that include sustainably fished Murray Cod. 

Alongside the restaurant, the Malt House boasts villas, a sculpture park, a driving range and a lake for catch-and-release fishing. However, the Malt House is focused not only on providing a great tourist experience, but also in meeting emerging consumer demands by sharing the narrative behind high-quality, traceable produce.

“We’re very mindful of the traceability that we can bring to people,” Williams says. “People expect we will tell the story of their produce, and that story will meet their ethical standards.”