October 29, 2021
A dispute over the future of the South Burnett Wine Industry Association has taken a new twist following a recent meeting in Kingaroy.
In May, association members held an AGM at Kingaroy RSL and resolved by a vote of 7-5 to shut down the group.
By a similar margin, the meeting also resolved to transfer the SBWIA’s assets – about $26,000 in cash – to the Queensland Wine Industry Association on the understanding the money would be quarantined for future use on projects that would exclusively benefit South Burnett wine producers.
However, not all SBWIA members accepted this decision.
As a result, the winding up of the Association was disputed and did not occur.
Kingsley Grove Estate winemaker Simon Berry issued a media release on Thursday stating a second AGM was held recently in Kingaroy at which he was elected SBWIA president.
Vikki Stewart (Lightning Tree Wines) was named secretary/treasurer.
Mr Berry described this second meeting as “a pleasing outcome resulting in the SBWIA effectively emerging from months of limbo”.
However, some SBWIA members now claim they were not alerted to this second meeting taking place.
The internal dispute over the future of the SBWIA and its assets looks to be far from resolved.
- Related article: Wine Industry Group Winds Up
