- Published:
- Sunday 21 February 2016
A Melbourne ice cream manufacturer has taken out a top award at the 2016 Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy Produce Show for its gourmet Peanut Butter Fudge ice cream.
Minister for Industry Lily D’Ambrosio visited Harry and Larry’s manufacturing facility in Brunswick today to congratulate the ice cream maker for winning the Champion Premium Ice Cream or Gelato Award.
The company recently received a $1.2 million grant as part of the Melbourne’s North Innovation and Investment Fund (MNIIF).
The fund was set up by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments and Ford Australia to grow manufacturing and create jobs in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, an area that will be impacted by the closure of the auto manufacturing industry in Australia.
Harry and Larry’s will use the grant to create 30 new jobs by investing in a larger factory with custom engineered production lines, including the latest freezing technology, to make a range of gourmet ice creams and desserts in complex shapes and layers.
Ms D’Ambrosio used her visit to Harry and Larry’s to encourage other local manufacturing businesses to apply for funding to expand and create new jobs under the Andrews Labor Government’s $46.5 million Towards Future Industries: Victoria’s Automotive Transition Plan.
The plan includes the Local Industry Fund for Transition (LIFT), which offers grants of up to $2 million to support job creating projects in Melbourne's North, West and South-East and the Geelong Region.
Applications are now open with more information available at www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/local-industry-fund-for-transition(opens in a new window).
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry Lily D’Ambrosio
“As we transition away from traditional auto industry manufacturing, it’s vital that we support high-tech manufacturing businesses like Harry and Larry’s that are innovating, growing and creating new jobs.”
“Whether it’s Harry and Larry’s ice cream in Brunswick or a plastics business in Dandenong – the manufacturing sector employs 250,000 Victorians across 20,000 businesses, and we are committed to growing the sector and creating new jobs.
Quotes attributable to Member for Brunswick Jane Garrett
“Harry and Larry’s is a fantastic reflection of our innovative and unique community and I congratulate it on winning this award.”
“We are proud to be supporting local businesses like Harry and Larry’s which continue to create jobs for the Brunswick community.”