The face of Queensland specialty foods is rapidly changing with the Kingaroy Cheese Company continuing to put the Sunshine State on the map with a swag of medals picked up at the Brisbane Ekka. With 3 gold medals, a silver medal and a bronze medal for cheeses made at the Kingaroy site, Queensland produce was put on show at the prestigious cheese event. Cheesemaker for Kingaroy Cheese, Mr Chris Ganzer was proud of the result highlighting, "These awards are a great reward for our small team. Results like this do not occur without careful planning, working hard with our suppliers and distributors as well as having a good cheesemaking facility". Mr Ganzer expanded on the time taken to build strong partnerships; "Our milk suppliers are Sameway Fresh Milk and Walters Goat Farm, both located near Nanango. They are small businesses like ours and they have helped us in so many ways to make Kingaroy Cheese a success, from the supply of high quality milk, through to refrigerated transport".

Kingaroy Cheese products have now won a range of medals this year, including being a finalist at the Grand Dairy Awards for the Kingaroy Washed Rind as well as gold medals for a range of Feta Cheese products, Creams and Triple Cream Brie. The awards won at the 2003 Brisbane Ekka were, 3 gold medals in the Farmhouse Cheese division for Greek Feta, Marinated Greek Feta and Marinated Cows Milk Feta. 1 silver medal in the open division for Kingaroy Washed Rind Cheese and 1 bronze medal in the open division for Kingaroy Triple Cream Brie.

Background Information:

Kingaroy Cheese was established at the beginning of 2002 and is located at the Stuart Range Estates winery site in the town of Kingaroy, which is 2.5 hours from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Not only has the cheese company seen increased retail sales but has also become a tourist destination with daily tours at the winery site. The company has won a number of awards, winning gold medals at the 2002 Speciality Cheesmakers Awards, The Brisbane Ekka, silver medals at the ekka and Melbourne Show as well as being a finalist at the prestigious Australian Grand Dairy Awards run by Dairy Australia.