Run by the Industry. For the Industry.

Annual Report 2016

2 WHO ARE WE

2 OUR VISION

2 OUR CORE VALUES

2 OUR KEY OBJECTIVES

3 OUR REGION

4 OUR PEOPLE

5 OUR PARTNERS & SPONSORS

6 THE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

7 MEMBERSHIP

7 SPONSORSHIP

8 EVENTS

9 MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

10 THE FINANCIAL REPORT

Table of Contents

1

Who are we?

The Food & Agribusiness Network (FAN) is a membership-based, not-for-profit company, established to support the food and agribusiness industry. Agribusiness was identified as one of the 7 High Value Industries for the Sunshine Coast (Regional Economic Development Strategy 2013-2033). FAN endeavours to tap into increased demand for high quality food – both locally and globally.

FAN encompasses the Greater Sunshine Coast region, which includes the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Noosa and Moreton Bay. Rich soils and favourable climatic conditions, together with a clean water supply make the Sunshine Coast the perfect food and agribusiness locality.

Our VisionWe believe that by working together we will create a more prosperous food and agribusiness economy that celebrates the provenance and innovation of our region.

Our Core Values| FAN is greater than the sum of its parts; we believe as a collective

we can achieve more together.| FAN provides a clear, strong and united voice for the business

community by working across the production to consumption value chain to improve the region’s business environment.

| FAN is the meeting point where food and agribusiness industry members are encouraged to meet, share ideas, innovate and collaborate to grow their business, and in so doing, grow the regional economy.

| FAN is not constrained by geopolitical boundaries – it brings together dynamic businesses from across the Greater Sunshine Coast Region.

| FAN brings together industry, academic research and knowledge to benefit its members and to grow the food and agribusiness sectors in the region.

Our Key Objectives| Providing businesses with targeted support to address challenges

and opportunities| Delivering workshops to increase business skills| Holding major networking events to facilitate connections and

referrals| Giving businesses access to key industry and market information

to increase knowledge.

Input Production Processing Distribution Marketing Restaurants & Consumers

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Noosa

Gympie

Sunshine Coast

Moreton

Our Region

FAN represents the Greater Sunshine Coast Region, encompassing the following council regions.

| Sunshine Coast| Noosa| Gympie| Moreton Bay

Our region is a diverse and beautiful part of Australia, with a wide range of industries and employment opportunities that operate within the Food & Agribusiness Industries.

3

Our People

Amy Clarke, General Manager – Amy has a background in marketing and communications and during her career has worked for ABC Regional Radio, where she implemented the Inaugural Australian Rural Woman of the Year Award. Amy has strong skills in planning, sponsorship negotiation, event management and public relations. Amy holds a B. Business Communications (PR).

Andy Eves-Brown, Co-founder, Chairman and Sponsorship Portfolio – Andy is well recognised as a dynamic leader in the agribusiness industry. With over 20 years’ experience in the FMCG space, he has a track record in implementing significant cultural and organisational change. Andy is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Gourmet Garden and has been recognised through several awards including the 2015 Sunshine Coast Outstanding Business Person of the Year. Andy holds a B. Engineering (Manufacturing Systems), MAICD and an MBA (Strategy).

Mark Peters, Secretary and Finance Portfolio – Mark has held CEO roles in the process control industry as well as management consulting roles preparing strategic, marketing and structure re-organisation plans for a diverse range of small to medium enterprises. Mark currently has a full time role with the Federal Department of Industry as a Business Advisor for SME’s under the Entrepreneurs Programme and his client base includes many food companies on the Sunshine Coast. Mark holds a GAICD, CPA and Dip. Corporate Management.

Jacqui Wilson-Smith, Co-founder, Director and Marketing & Communications Portfolio – Jacqui practises 'Design Led Innovation', constantly pushing boundaries to deliver customer (or member) centric solutions. With a focused career in food & agribusiness since 1995, she's held positions with Buderim Ginger, Constellation Wines and Mondelez International. Currently Jacqui heads Marketing & Global Innovation at Gourmet Garden. Jacqui holds a B. Commerce and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, GAICD.

Celeste Brockwell, Director and Events Portfolio – Celeste is a customer focused, sales and project management professional, who has worked within the Food & Agribusiness industry for over fifteen years in the Australian, North American, and European markets. Celeste has a proven track record of helping business grow through effective Sales, Marketing and Trade Show strategies and programs. Celeste runs her own consultancy company, Sculpture Business Solutions.

Evan Heidemann, Director and Membership Portfolio – Evan is an accomplished fresh produce and meat industry professional with a proven ability to develop and increase procurement and sales revenue. He is currently the Deputy General Manager at Sunfresh Marketing Growers Co-operative. Evan’s working career has always been in food and agribusiness in both compliance and production management roles. Evan holds a range of qualifications including Food Safety Supervisor, Cert 3 in Food Processing and Cert 4 in Meat Processing.

Emma Greenhatch, Director, Grants Portfolio and Marketing & Administration Coordinator – Emma has worked with Victoria’s food industry for the past nine years in roles encompassing export market development, food industry strategies and managing large-scale events and projects domestically and internationally. Emma developed the Victorian Government’s highly successful inbound trade mission model and co-founded International Food and Beverage Trade Week, which has delivered more than $100m in new trade for Victoria’s food industry. Emma runs her own consultancy company, Emba Group and holds a B. Arts (Asian Studies).

Tony Sowden, Director and Governance Portfolio – Tony is a well-known Sunshine Coast lawyer and has owned and managed commercial law firms in the region since 1992. Tony qualified as a lawyer in 1986 and progressed to become a partner of a specialised Brisbane CBD law firm. Over the course of his career Tony has had extensive involvement in the establishment, operation, governance and strategic direction of numerous public and private corporations and institutions, acting in a directorship, company secretary and/or general counsel role. Tony holds a LLB (UQ) and MAICD.

4

Our Partners & Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Partners

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

Bronze Sponsors:

FAN would like to acknowledge and thank its sponsors and partners. They provide valuable resources essential to the network’s ongoing

sustainability, facilitating the prosperity and growth of the food and agribusiness sector in the Greater Sunshine Coast region.

Unique & BoutiqueNuts & Fruit, Chocolate, Confectionery

5

Department of Industry,Innovation and Science

The Chairman’s Report

What a fantastic year! It gives me great pleasure to deliver the inaugural Food Agribusiness Network (FAN) Annual Report.

FAN has come a long way since our very first meeting on the balcony at the Imperial Hotel Eumundi 12 months ago! With co-founders Julie Shelton, Sara Bucher and Jacqui Wilson-Smith, we laid the foundations of the group we have today. Our aim was to create a network to bring the food and agribusiness industry together to collaborate and innovate, and to celebrate the provenance of the Greater Sunshine Coast region. This vision has led to a well-run, professional organisation that has accomplished much already.

The FAN team have stayed true to these objectives and we are well on our way to establishing an identity for our region’s agribusiness sector that is seen as innovative, collaborative and sustainable. Importantly, we are laying the foundations for an industry that will continue to grow and contribute to the Greater Sunshine Coast economy.

Over 400 people have attended FAN networking events and 200 people have increased their business skills through attending our workshops. These events are connecting people across the industry and we are constantly receiving feedback on how it is benefiting our members’ businesses. We have affiliated members helping with packaging and design, social media, marketing and PR. We have primary producers and processors supplying restaurants with ingredients and people collaborating on new business opportunities.

I would like to especially recognise three crucial and sustaining pillars of FAN - these being our sponsors, members and volunteers. All three elements are vital for FAN to be able to achieve its mission of growing, supporting and developing the food agribusiness sector in our Greater Sunshine Coast region. I see them as the FAN eco-system. If any one of these elements is amiss we fall over.

In our start-up year we have gathered a highly committed team responsible for FAN’s establishment. This has included in excess of 3000 voluntary hours to get the company up and running and the appointment of two part-time positions, a General Manager and Marketing and Administration Coordinator, to manage daily operations. The organisation is also governed by a Board of Directors, who contribute their time and passion to provide vital support and governance advice.

As FAN grows we will seek to identify opportunities to support initiatives that our members are expressing interest in. This year FAN launched a project to explore what a provenance framework for the Greater Sunshine Coast Region could look like. Thanks to support from the Sunshine Coast Council’s Major Grants program, FAN has been able to engage leading authority in food, wine & agri-tourism, Rose Wright to facilitate a discussion and develop a framework.

In 2017 it is our aim to increase our membership by 50% to over 190 members and to maintain existing sponsors and attract new ones who recognise the return on investment in supporting a network so actively facilitating growth opportunities for the sector.

The FAN network is playing a dynamic and active role in the Greater Sunshine Coast food agribusiness economy. I say thank you to every single individual who has contributed to this burgeoning success - sponsors, members and volunteers.

Andrew Eves-BrownFAN Chairman

6

Membership

To have attracted more than 130 paying members and affiliates in less than 12 months is a significant achievement that the FAN team is very proud of. We encourage you to chat to your neighbours about FAN - whether they be a farm or your favourite café or restaurant, a wholesaler,

processor or service provider. Refer them to us so we can continue to grow the network. Let’s all be advocates of FAN and share the vision of working better together to create a more prosperous Food and Agribusiness economy that celebrates the provenance and innovation of our region.

SponsorshipFAN would like to thank all our sponsors for their support in this foundation year. We would particularly like to recognise Woombye & Districts Community Bank Branch (Bendigo Bank) together with Rural Bank for having the vision and community commitment to become our first Platinum sponsor.

FAN has gained the support of many of the region’s successful businesses and has built relationships with all Greater Sunshine Coast Councils to provide a solid platform for collaboration.

This seed funding that has been provided as sponsorship or contra services deals has been the life blood of the organisation. It has enabled us to build a business structure to support our growth including the ability to contract our General Manager, Amy Clarke. Amy has brought a long history of agribusiness with her, coming from a local ginger farming family. Amy also has an amazing passion and commitment to run the Network on behalf of the members. This drive and determination is essential to ensure the longevity of the Network and to build the organisation’s capability into the future.

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7

Events

FAN is committed to providing a relevant, informative events and workshop program that addresses the interests and needs of our members.

170 people attended the launch of our network in December 2015 and we conducted a survey to find out what members most needed help with. This survey has shaped the calendar for 2016. To-date we have hosted workshops on social media, direct marketing, public relations, innovation and collaboration and provenance. Thanks to the depth of talent in our network we have been able to draw on the skills of our members and sponsors to facilitate these. We are very thankful to those who have shared their time and knowledge. We have heard from industry leaders including Acland Brierty (Spirit House Restaurant), Kim McCosker (4Ingredients), Megan Brabant (Gourmet Garden), Neil Davidson (Clandestine Design Group), Helen Lewis (Picot’s Farm) and Rose Wright (Knowledge Transfer Solutions). Thanks also go to FAN Gold sponsors, Social Tap and Macneil Marketing for sharing their in-depth understanding of social media, public relations and marketing. These workshops have been very popular with between 30 and 70 in attendance each time.

In addition to the workshops, FAN’s networking events are proving very popular, with at least 110 people attending every function. A highlight of the calendar was our Harnessing Provenance networking event hosted by FAN Sponsor, The Ginger Factory. Keynote speaker, Brodee Myers-Cooke, Editor-in-chief of taste.com.au gave a very insightful presentation on current food trends and the importance of provenance. The energy in the room was palpable and it was clear that our members got so much from connecting with like-minded and passionate advocates for our industry.

To ensure FAN continues to provide a varied and valuable workshop and event program in 2017, we have established an Events Committee. FAN would like to acknowledge Jess Fleming (Birdwood Nursery), Sally Hookey (Hinterland Feijoas), Jennepher Bucher (Maleny Cheese), Petra Frieser (Local Harvest) and Martin Duncan (Sunshine Coast Foodie) who have generously offered to be a part of this committee. These individuals are true FAN ambassadors and we can’t thank them enough.

8

Marketing & Communications

In FAN’s foundation year there has been a focus on setting up strategies, marketing infrastructure, and benchmarks for effective ongoing communications to our membership base for years to come. The strategic component commenced in July 2015 with an articulation of the organisation’s vision, purpose and values, which was gathered over a series of workshops facilitated by Rose Wright. A wide cross-section of industry stakeholders provided input including: farmers, producers, distributors, manufacturers, retailers, the Sunshine Coast University and multiple levels of government from the surrounding regions. This resulted in the formation of a robust strategic framework which subsequently informed all marketing briefs for FAN including branding, website development, digital communications and also the types of events to be held.

In just under a year, FAN has implemented a number of tools to communicate with members and sponsors including the prospectus, postcards, flyers and banner signage for events. Special thanks go to FAN Platinum sponsor, Creative Concepts for their design expertise.

The FAN website foodagribusiness.org.au was launched in December 2015 and special thanks go to Sparx Digital for all the work they have put into this. The website has an online joining capability and is where industry can view upcoming events and advertise job vacancies. Members also have exclusive access to a dashboard that includes the newly launched Business Directory and industry research.

The FAN Facebook page has over 330 likes and the members only Facebook page has over 70 participants. FANmail, our monthly e-newsletter is also distributed to more than 400 members and representatives from the wider industry. FAN has also launched a presence on LinkedIn and Instagram so choose your favourite way to keep up-to-date!

Publicity relationships have also been established with local media including the Sunshine Coast Daily newspaper, 7 local news TV and ABC radio. Of special note, the Sunshine Coast Daily has provided valuable support and exposure for FAN with numerous articles highlighting the innovation and achievements being made by our members.

Pictured below are just some of the news articles and marketing collateral published and produced for FAN.

9

The Financial Report

Food and Agribusiness Network Limited had a successful start-up and finished its first financial year with a surplus of $31,690 and with Cash at Bank of $27,660, thus remaining solvent for this period.

The majority of funding has come from Sponsorship ($41,000) followed by Membership Fees ($18,132). The major costs were Subcontractor Wages ($20,591) and Function Expenses ($9,610).

There has been no material post financial year transactions which have affected the solvency of the company.

Whilst increasing our membership and sponsorship base is FAN’s primary objective to achieve a sustainable business model, we

have also been active in applying for relevant grants to support our activities. We were recently awarded a $7,500 grant under the Sunshine Coast Council’s Major Grants Program to develop a Food Provenance Framework for the region. In addition to this we have also received $7,500 from the Sunshine Coast Council’s Community Partnership Funding Program: Economic Development to assist with FAN’s operational costs.

FAN recognises that it represents the broader Sunshine Coast region and going forward we will be actively working with all regional councils, as well as the Queensland State Government and other relevant agencies to apply for funding of FAN projects.

Food and Agribusiness Network Limited Income StatementFor The Year Ended 30 June 2016

Revenue 64,890

Overheads (33,200)

Surplus before income tax expense 31,690

Income tax expense -

Surplus for the year 31,690

Surplus attributable to members of the company 31,690

Food and Agribusiness Network Limited Balance sheet as at 30 June 2016

Assets

Current AssetsCash and cash equivalentsTrade and other receivablesTotal Current Assets

Total Assets

27,660 4,985 32,645 _ 32,645

Liabilities

Current LiabilitiesTrade and other payables Total Current LiabilitiesTotal LiabilitiesNet Assets

955 955 955 31,690

Equity

Retained surplusTotal Equity

31,690 31,690

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“Since FAN’s inception we have participated in all of their events and found them to be relevant, well attended and of an exceptional standard. Information and contacts formed during these events has benefited our business enormously. We’ll continue to leverage all

future FAN events as an important source of information, networking and education.”

Tim Spence-Thomas, CEO, Epicurean Products

“We have attended three of FAN’s events and have found them all beneficial. As a result, I’ve gained new perspective and have also been able to introduce friends and owners of other

developing food businesses to local expert service providers. The forums thus further build our community of Food professionals.”

Craig Agnew, Managing Director, Partner Foods

“I have attended the last two FAN meetings and found the participation level, openness and willingness to collaborate quite refreshing, somewhat unique!

…a good introduction to the region.”

Bernard Parker, Parker Foods

Contact

Food & Agribusiness NetworkPO Box 42Palmwoods QLD 4555

EmailGeneral Enquiries: info@foodagribusiness.org.auChairman - Andrew Eves-Brown: chairman@foodagribusiness.org.auGeneral Manager - Amy Clarke: amy@foodagribusiness.org.auMarketing & Administration Coordinator: emma@foodagribusiness.org.au