Wow! Who would have thought there were so many different kinds of rice...…..
There's white rice
Brown rice
Condoleezza Rice
And even an Edgar Rice Burroughs
RGA/SunRice Vocational Visit
I'm sure most of us (well okay, maybe just me) have wondered what goes on in that big office building off to the right as you're coming into town. Its got a big sign out front...…
….but, what do they really do in there?!
On Thursday evening we had the opportunity to find out. Graciously hosted by Rotarians Graeme Kruger and Carmel Cristofaro the club was treated to a vocational tour of the RGA/SunRice offices.
Graham tells us that there are actually three separate but interlinked entities sharing those offices:
Ricegrowers Limited trading under the name SunRice is one of the world's largest rice food companies and one of Australia's largest branded food exporters. The company was established in 1950 with a single small rice mill in Leeton and today employs over 2200 people in 50 countries. There are now 11 subsidiary businesses producing over 30 food brands.
Ricegrowers Association Ltd was established in 1930 during the early years of the rice industry to represent the interests and provide services to local growers. Today, the RGA's role involves:
- Developing and implementing policy for the rice industry which is in the growers' best interests.
- Representing the interests of rice growers to federal, state and local governments, as well as to farm lobby groups, SunRice and the community in general.
- Servicing the specific needs of individual members.
Rice Marketing Board The RMB, created in 1927, was the first commodity marketing board established in New South Wales. Its primary function is to obtain the best possible monetary return to rice growers thru orderly and aggressive marketing.
Thanks Graeme and Carmel for an interesting and informative evening. Also, thanks to fellow Rotarians Greg and Laurie (two fellows who have probably forgotten more about the rice industry than most people will ever know) for their input.
Don't forget the Rotary Ball Friday, 27 July. Tickets are available at Amato's Real Estate, the Newsagency or from Roz. Thursday, 26 meeting will be devoted to setting up the ball room.
The Board has opened the classification of Government Agencies