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Entries close soon for the 2019 APPMA Awards of Excellence, with more than half of the tickets already sold for the gala dinner at AUSPACK in March.

The dinner features a sustainability theme this year, with even the menu designed to reduce food waste. According to Mark Dingley, APPMA chair, there has been plenty of interest already.

“There are only 450 tickets available for the Gala Awards Ceremony and these are already over half sold. It’s fantastic to see people so keen to share in this night of networking, and celebrating innovation and our industry in general.”

Award entries close on 26 January, and Dingley urges anyone looking to participate to get their submissions in before the date, as well as book their tickets for the event.

“AUSPACK is only three months away, so I encourage people to get in quickly and secure their tickets for the Gala Awards Ceremony. I also strongly encourage exhibitors and APPMA members to get their Award submissions in before the due date.

“You can enter as many of the five categories as you like. Aside from winning and being a finalist, there are so many benefits to entering these national awards, so submit now,” he said.

This year’s categories are Best New Product, Customer Collaboration Award, Design Innovation Award, Export Success Award, and Imported Equipment Award. For more information, visit www.auspack.com.au/awards.

Food & Drink Business

Sydney-based craft rum producer, Sydney Distilling Co Pty Ltd, trading as Brix Distillers, has entered voluntary administration, with Ben Carson and Richard Stone from RSM Australia Partners appointed as Joint and Several Voluntary Administrators on 21 January 2026.

Pure Wine Co has been appointed as the exclusive national mainland distributor for Tasmanian winery, Pipers Brook Vineyard. Effective from 1 March, Pure Wine Co will manage national mainland distribution and trade sales for Pipers Brook and its Kreglinger Sparkling, Pipers Tasmania and Ninth Island labels.

The fourth round of the federal government’s Traceability Grants Program is now open for applications, with funding from $50,000 to $500,000 available for projects modernising and enhancing agricultural traceability systems.