Cider Australia: new president
Cider Australia has welcomed a new president, Warwick Billings of LOBO Cider.
He replaces Sam Reid of Tasmania’s Willie Smith’s Cider Makers, who has stepped down after six and a half years as President of Cider Australia and one year as Vice President.
Warwick joined the Executive team in 2014 as Vice President and chair of the policy and technical working group and more recently also took on the role of Chief Steward of the Australian Cider Awards.
Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry, and runs the national cider conference AusCider and the Australian Cider Awards.
“I am proud to have led the charge to establish a sustainable craft cider category in Australia, navigating the ongoing challenge of policy and legislative reform while establishing a marketable 100% Australian Grown cider brand,” said outgoing president Sam Reid.
“Joining forces with Wine Australia through the Export and Regional Wine Support Package Cider Program has been a highlight over the past few years and has enabled our vision for the industry to come to life.”