Margaret River Wine Association and industry figures welcome third vintage celebration as season starts

The Margaret River wine industry’s third official vintage function was hailed as the best yet after a well-attended welcome to country ceremony was held in Cowaramup at the weekend. The annual celebration at Pioneer Park drew residents, families and industry figures as well as workers come together for a memorable evening hailed as “magic” by Margaret River Wine Association chief executive Amanda Whiteland. With Wadandi custodians and Dunsborough-based actor and MC Myles Pollard helping co-ordinate the event, the start of the wine vintage was commemorated in song and dance. “This event has grown into something truly special for our community,” Ms Whiteland said. “The vintage welcome to country and smoking ceremony not only acknowledges the deep connection to Wadandi Boodja but also celebrates the incredible diversity of the people who contribute to our region’s world-class wine industry.” Along with the official Wadandi welcome and ceremony, which included dozens of residents undertaking the smoke ritual and having their faces painted, dances from workers visiting under the Commonwealth’s Pacific-Australia Labour Mobility scheme were performed for the crowd. Workers visiting from Timor Leste, Fiji, and Tonga added a powerful cultural dimension to the event, Ms Whiteland said. Shire of Augusta-Margaret River chief executive Andrea Selvey also hailed the celebration, the first for her since she took up the local government’s reins last year. “This event was an uplifting and unique celebration of our diverse community,” she said. “The shire is thrilled to be able to support the event, and it was a privilege to share in the celebrations.” TeamsWork’s managing director David Cooper said hardworking contract employees made an “invaluable contribution” to the wine industry every year. “This event beautifully showcased the deep connections they have forged within our region,” he said. Winemakers said this year’s vintage was set to get under way in many parts of the region next week with an excellent forecast for fruit.