THE booming Riverina cotton industry held a gala event last Friday that not only served as a thank you to growers, but doubled as a launch for a new ginning, loyalty, education and mentoring program.
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The dinner at the Yoogali Club attracted close to 200 people, including the Southern Cotton directors, staff and growers, politicians and some media.
With a Gatsby theme, all guests were dressed to impress and there was also a live band and some dance numbers.
Southern Cotton general manager Kate O'Callaghan outlined the history of the gin, from its construction in just 12 months at a greenfield site, to producing its 500,000 bale just three years later.
"Tonight's a celebration and a chance to say thank you," Mrs O'Callaghan said.
"We launched into the first year of ginning and didn't have an opening. The second year was right on the back of the first year and we didn't have a gap in between.
"The first year was stressful, but we came through the back end of it. Everybody played an integral part.
"Everything we wanted to do, we wanted to do local and we had a lot of help with that."
Another highlight of the evening was a cotton-focused fashion show by 14-year-old Queensland designer, Connor O'Grady.
Mrs O'Callaghan thanked the growers who have supported the industry as it grows in the region.
"My aim is to exceed expectations and do everything for you," she said.
The evening served to launch the Cotton Club, which has been designed to strengthen partnerships with current growers, and provide education and mentoring pathways for new growers as part of a plan to expand production in southern NSW.
"The Cotton Club is about formalising our commitment to growers in the region, and represents a new way to engage growers, support them, and provide an ongoing quality service at competitive ginning rates," Mrs O'Callaghan said.
