^{Photo credits: Fleurieu Milk Company's Nick Hutchinson & Clay Sampson with Minister Nick Champion.}

The winners of the 2023 SALIFE Absolute Best Awards, presented by Brand South Australia were announced last night at a gala event at the iconic Adelaide Festival Theatre.

South Australia's well known and much-loved dairy company, Fleurieu Milk Company (FMC) took out the honour of being named South Australian Brand of the Year.

Established by three farming families in 2006, FMC is a family-owned milk processing factory that today employs 90 staff, have 9 supplying dairy farms and sell over 800,000 dairy products to their loyal consumers every month.

The company is committed to the values of quality, customer service, passion, family and community.

In a South Australian first, FMC recently introduced a milk on tap initiative thanks to a partnership with The Udder Way keg system. In a huge win for the environment, the sustainable initiative promises to reduce the amount of single-use plastic in the dairy industry and since its launch in October 2023 have already saved over 15,000 plastic milk bottles from landfill. The system is going into more and more sites, averaging two installs a week.

Before the awards ceremony, Fleurieu Milk Company's General Manager Nick Hutchinson said it would be absolutely amazing to win the SA Brand of the Year Award.

"Being nominated for an award that is consumer voted tells us that we're doing things right and gives us great pride," said Nick.

"Our consumers are number one and for them to nominate us is humbling".

FMC have some big future plans in the pipeline. They are currently working with industry and government to find a way to build a tourism and education based dairy experience at their site in Myponga, are looking to expand their sustainability initiatives, as well as many other conversations around brand development. Watch this space!

Brand SA would also like to extend our congratulations to all of the Award category finalists and winners.

2023 ABSOLUTE BEST AWARD WINNERS

• SA Home of the Year - Craig Linke Bespoke Building (Belltunga house)
• SA Garden of the Year - Mandalay House and Garden
• Absolute Best Luxury Experience - Stowaway Kangaroo Island
• SA Designer (Home & Lifestyle) - Black Rabbit Architecture + Interiors
• SA Designer (Fashion & Beauty) - Acler
• Absolute Best Product of the Year - Prohibition Gin - Field Blend Shiraz Gin
• SA Artist of the Year - Vincent Namatjira
• Absolute Best Sustainability Award - Watervale Hotel (Regenerate Watervale - Watervale General Store and Penobscot Farm)
• Absolute Best Social Impact Award - Restless Dance Theatre
• Absolute Best Restaurant - Arkhe
• Absolute Best Tourism Experience - Experience Coffin Bay
• SA Event of the Year - Adelaide Fringe
• SA Brand of the Year - Fleurieu Milk Company
• SA Person of the Year - Heather Croall

Read more about the awards night and winners here.

Read more about Fleurieu Milk Company here.