Cathy McGowan (Indi, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to tell the House that manufacturing is alive and well in my electorate of Indi. Today I would like to make a special callout to Mars, the maker of over 550 million cans and trays of dog and cat food that leave the Wodonga factory every year. But the fantastic thing about Mars is that next week on Tuesday, they celebrate 50 years of production in Albury-Wodonga. What a magnificent achievement!

I would particularly like to acknowledge the work of John and Adrienne Mars. John came to Albury-Wodonga in 1965. He set up the firm—one of the first of the manufacturing firms in Albury-Wodonga—and it has gone from strength to strength. I am really pleased and delighted to welcome John back to Australia next week to celebrate 50 years. I would also like to congratulate and welcome back his daughter Linda, who lives nearby, and sons Michael and Frank.

I had the real pleasure of going to the Mars factory last Friday and learning about their zero waste efforts—a fantastic effort—but also their whole plan to use renewable energy. They are a leading company and they are really at the forefront of what is happening. Congratulations to all of Mars, to the 500 people who work there, to Brett Brown, to long-serving member Evan Jones, who worked at the factory the 45 years, and a special shout out to Barb Strand: a fantastic effort, and well done!

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