‘Goondiwindi goes for gold’: new bid worth $40 million for our community

30 June

he promise that the Games will go ‘Beyond Brisbane’ is being put to the test with Goondiwindi banding together to bring the bush to Brisbane in 2032.

The campaign “Goondiwindi Goes For Gold” is led by the multi-generational family business Goondiwindi Cotton, and Chamber member, who has lodged a formal bid to supply uniforms for volunteers and officials at the Games in 2032.

Preliminary economic forecasting predicts that a winning bid for Goondiwindi Cotton would mean an economic output boost of more than $40 million* over five years to the community, contributing to job creation, brand awareness and regional spending.

Goondiwindi Cotton founder Sam Coulton said a formal expression of interest (EOI) lodged in June will help organisers and government fulfill their promise to make this a ‘Games for all of Queensland’.

“We want to bring the bush to Brisbane in 2032,” Mr Coulton said. “My family has been proudly farming this land for a very long time. We’ve been trusted for more than 100 years to feed and clothe people in Australia and around the world, so it would be our honour to be selected as a supplier for the hard-working volunteers.

“This is bigger than our family business. We want to put Goondiwindi on the world stage, and we’ve got the capacity and drive to do it.”

Mr Coulton founded Goondiwindi Cotton in 1992 to help reduce impacts from the boom-and-bust cycles of farming, forging a successful fashion business that now sells through more than 200 retailers Australia-wide, its own e-commerce platform and a flagship store in Goondiwindi.

A pledge of support for Goondiwindi Cotton’s bid to supply Australian cotton uniforms for the Games, found at Gundygoesforgold.com.au, has already attracted signatures from all corners of the country. But it still needs the community support to get Gundy to the games.

Goondiwindi Regional Council Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM has been an early backer of the campaign, which has lifted the spirits of the community including members of the Goondiwindi Chamber of Commerce.

Goondiwindi Chamber of Commerce president Peter Travers said the Coultons’ concept of value-adding their raw cotton had “blossomed” with forays into the retail trade, tourism and digital marketing.

“What Goondiwindi Cotton has done is an inspiration to fellow business owners in the district,” Mr Travers said.

“Sam’s bid to be involved in the supply of products to the Games in Brisbane in 2032 is a wonderful example of the resourcefulness of regional business, and shows without a doubt that we are able to compete at the highest level.

“The fact the raw product that would go into the garments is produced just a stone’s throw from the Games is a credit to the local agricultural industry. The Chamber and the local community are behind Goondiwindi Cotton all the way.”

Mayor of Goondiwindi Regional Council Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM said the region is supporting the bid to have a ‘Gundy’ business in the limelight at a world-class event.

“Regional businesses can deliver world-class outcomes, and Goondiwindi Cotton is proof of that,” Mayor Springborg said.

“This bid is not just for Goondiwindi Cotton; it’s a bid for all of the Goondiwindi region.

“This will help the Government deliver on its promise to see the Games ‘reach beyond Brisbane’ and ‘present legacy options for all of Queensland’.

“Now is time to go for gold and bring the bush to Brisbane in 2032.”

Mr Travers said this was another opportunity to highlight the diversity of Goondiwindi’s business community.

“Other innovative enterprises include manufacturers of agricultural equipment that is exported across Australia and overseas,” he said.

“With irrigated cropping being a major part of the local economy, several companies are involved in developing systems to allow for more efficient water use to improve agricultural production and reduce the impact on the environment.

“Companies are also involved in the development of improved fertilisers and pest control techniques that reduce the impacts of farming on the environment.

“A local company is developing algae farming as a supplement for livestock feed and eventually for human consumption.

“This is just another example of how our community are has a strong business acumen and leading the way.”

*Economic forecasts were undertaken by REMPLAN based on information provided by Goondiwindi Cotton.