Awards set to showcase inspirational Melburnians

Converting potato waste into Australia’s first certified compostable cling wrap has seen Jordy and Julia Kay take their business to new heights.

The couple’s idea was sparked after seeing huge amounts of plastic pallet wrap go to landfill during their former careers as a winemaker and an architect, respectively.

Now running a thriving business called Great Wrap, which was launched at the start of the pandemic, the duo is now set to tap into the global market – something they could only have previously dreamed of.

The couple’s innovative thinking and bid to end single-use plastics and micro plastics also saw them win the sustainability category last year in the City of Melbourne’s prestigious Melbourne Awards, which recognises the positive contributions of individuals and organisations to the local community.

“It’s going crazy well, we just got our second factory about four weeks away from being fully commissioned,” Ms Kay told CBD News, adding they were on the cusp of breaking into the global market.

“We’ll be the largest manufacturer of stretch wrap in Australia. We’re launching in the US in August, getting set for global expansion, which is really amazing.”

Their eco-wrap – which breaks down in less than 180 days once placed in a household compost bin – is produced in a solar-powered factory on the Mornington Peninsula, with their product catering for both households and businesses.

Ms Kay said as part of their journey the team was incredibly honoured to have taken out the sustainability award last year.

“It was pretty exciting for us, and the team loved it as well, it really gave them a sense of pride.”

Nominations have now opened for this year’s Melbourne Awards, which close June 30.

Now in its 20th year, the Melbourne Awards are the City of Melbourne’s highest accolade – with eight key categories reflecting the way in which programs and organisations contribute to Melbourne as a thriving, forward-thinking city.

This includes community, knowledge and innovation, arts and events, urban design, hospitality, sustainability, Aboriginal Melbourne, and LGBTIQ+.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp encouraged anyone who knew an inspirational Melburnian to nominate their work for a Melbourne Award.

“Over the past two decades, we’ve been shining a light on the incredible work of so many Victorians who have gone above and beyond to drive innovation, create inclusive communities, ignite our creative sector and share ideas about the future of our city,” she said.

Our people make our city the great place that it is, and we want to showcase their efforts.

Last year’s winners included The Torch, a program supporting Aboriginal art in prison and in the community, which took out the Aboriginal Melbourne - Kommargee Ketherba award.

A RMHive app, which was developed to respond to the unique mental health needs of health care workers, was bestowed the knowledge and innovation award.

Businesswoman and Richmond Football Club president Peggy O’Neal AO was crowned 2021 Melburnian of the Year.

The 2022 winners will be announced at the Melbourne Awards ceremony in November as part of a special televised broadcast on Channel 9 •

Click here for more information or to nominate someone