The late Duncan MacGillivray will be honoured with the naming of the young entrepreneur’s award at the annual Food SA awards.
MacGillivray, who died of a heart attack in Bali in January at the age of 66, was one of South Australia’s best known agricultural entrepreneurs, establishing the Two Dogs Lemonade brand and, most recently, founding Kangaroo Island Pure Grain.
Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister Gail Gago announced today that his legacy would be remembered through the food awards.
“Duncan who tragically passed away recently, was a pioneer in so many areas, and a passionate supporter of SA produce,” Gago said.
“While his incredible energy, innovation and business skills will be sadly missed by so many people, his visionary way of thinking will be remembered and celebrated through the Duncan MacGillivray Young Entrepreneur Award, which from this year will be presented in his honour at the Food SA awards.”
Duncan’s wife Oopy said the award was a fitting tribute to her late husband.
“Duncan was so proud and passionate about SA’s wonderful natural produce, and constantly thinking of ways to spread the message to the world,” she said.
“He was also a great mentor to many people, always pleased to see others succeed, so having this award named after him is I feel a great way to honour him.”
Gago made the announcement at the opening of a new Sealink passenger terminal at Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island.
MacGillivray was born and raised on a sheep and cattle property in the state’s south east and carried his agricultural skills into a broad career that included export initiatives, wineries, and the remarkable tale of a pile of old lemons that he turned into pioneering beverage, Two Dogs Lemonade. Two Dogs was acquired by the French alcoholic beverage company Pernod Ricard in 1995.
MacGillivray started Kangaroo Island Pure Grain in 2009 to provide premium returns to Kangaroo Island grain growers.
The company receives, stores and classifies the majority of KI grain grown and sold into the domestic and key export markets, including Asia and Japan.
Based in Macclesfield, he served as a board member of the Premier’s Food Council and the Premier’s Wine Council and was also a past chairman and patron of The Hutt Street Centre Foundation in Adelaide, a charity supporting the city’s homeless.
MacGillivray’s other successes included the establishment of a vineyard, winery and function venue near Macclesfield, which he later sold to the Saturno family.
He named the place Longview because of its scenic panorama of the Coorong National Park and Lake Alexandrina from the top of a nearby hill. His ashes are scattered on the top of that hill.
He is survived by his wife Oopy, sons Angus and Max and adult children Alice and Hugh.
– with Kevin Naughton
