Business owners collectionCollected for archival reasonsMaterial in foldernewspaper cuttings, certificates, photographs, articles re the business operationswestern district industries, warrnambool, elmac hydroponicswestern district industries, warrnambool, elmac hydroponics

This is a medallion awarded in 2000 by Powercor Warrnambool to Elmac Hydroponics. Powercor Australia, founded in 1994, is an electrical distribution company operating in the Western District of Victoria and the western suburbs of Melbourne. Powercor Warrnambool, like other Powercor organizations, is involved in giving Business Excellence Awards annually to businesses in its area of supply. In 2014 there were 15 awards for Business Excellence. Elmac Hydroponics was a business growing and supplying organically-produced tomatoes from 1997 to 2004. It was situated at Mount Pleasant, Princes Highway, Allansford, Victoria. The business was operated by Graeme and Barbara McLeod and Keith and Leonie Ellerton. Hydroponics is a system of growing plants without soil, using a nutrient solution. Elmac Hydroponics had a 2,000 square metre greenhouse with 10,000 growing points. This is a significant medallion, showing the award given to a small business in the Warrnambool area and indicating its achievements in the environmental area. Elmac was an industry leader in in implementing an ‘Autopot’ hydroponic system which is aimed at reducing nutrient and waste water to zero. Elmac was also a finalist in the Ericsson 2002 Innovation Awards.This is a gilt metal medallion, oval-shaped, with an ornamental edging and a shield-shaped design on one side and a circular design on the other. The top has two metal rings for attachment to a chain or wall hook. On one side: ‘Environmental Achievement, Elmac Hydroponics’ On obverse side: ‘Powercor Warrnambool Region Business Achievement Awards, 2000’ elmac hydroponics, powercor business awards, warrnambool

Elmac Hydroponics operated at Allansford from 1997 to 2004, growing tomatoes hydoponically. The owners were Keith Ellerton and Graeme MacLeod. There were 2000 Square metres of hothouses with over 5000 plants. This trophy from the Victorian farm Entrepreneur Awards was for the use of a system called autopots. This system relied upon a process of automatic watering through valves at the bottom of the pots.The growing of vegetables hydoponically was a relatively new and innovative system of agriculture. The Elmac business proved that it could be done in the climate of the region. Timber shield shape with bevelled edge, painted dark maroon with engraved brass metal plaque.Victorian Farm Entrepreneur Awards 1999 Regional Winner South West Elmac Hydoponicsallansford, elmac, keith ellerton, graeme mcleod, elmac tomatoes, victorian farm entrepreneur awards 1999.