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HISTORYGillebri and Blenheim, our two properties are located in the St George Irrigation Area in south west Queensland, Australia. In 1979 Jeff Moon moved his family to Gillebri from the Lockyer Valley, and started growing cotton. In 1986, the company expanded its operations to include contract cotton harvesting. Today Gillebri Cotton Co still exists and is known as far afield as Emerald and Moree for its consistent and high quality wor Gillebri Cotton Co. is a proprietary limited Australian company owned by the Moon family. Today we also trade as MOONROCKS. Gillebri was the first property owned by Jeff Moon and family. Originally a cattle & sheep grazing farm, the land had seen varieties of forage crops before starting as a cotton growing farm in the 1980’s. Unfortunately not all the available land was suited to this crop. A section of Gillebri farm consists of sand blocks, unsuited to cotton because water drains from the soil very easily. Jeff recognised this and planted native Australian flowers on these areas, turning bare farm land into a profitable commercial crop. From 1985 to the last commercial plants being removed in 1992 Moons Wax Flowers were a sideline which saw Jeff Moon’s name become known in the Australian marketplace. The Kangaroo Paw & Geraldton Wax varieties were arranged from a small tin shed and cold room where the office stands today. These flowers were exported predominantly to Asian countries. A unique business venture for this farming area, Moons Wax Flowers showed Jeff's vision and marketing ability. Today some Geraldton Wax trees remain and have taken on their own lives creating a corridor to one of the private residences located on Gillebri.
Due to the drought, rockmelon production began in 1994. Rockmelons require significantly less water than cotton - especially if they are grown over plastic mulch and irrigated through trickle tape. Today growing rockmelons is one of our major farming activities. With rockmelons the company developed the brand ‘Moonrocks’ and have successfully formed a reputation for quality product in the Australian melon industry. Rockmelons require intensive infrastructure and therefore a grading line running over 30 metres was installed in what is today a sizeable packing shed. Along with several varieties of rockmelons being grown each season, Moonrocks also grow varieties of Honeydew melons, Watermelons, Butternut Pumpkins, Table Grapes and Onions. The name has also expanded, we now have Moonrocks, Honeymoons, Moonberries, Moon Nuts and Moongold brand names. In 2002 onions were first trialed at Moonrocks. With a successful trial, the Moon Family has led the way in turning Moonrocks into one of Queensland's largest summer onion suppliers. The farm saw major changes to the landscape in 2003 and 2004 as a machinery storage shed was turned into an onion grading and packing line. The onion shed employs up to 20 people for 3 months of the year. Table Grape production began with the purchase of Blenheim Farm in 2001, and a further 40 acres were set up at Gillebri farm on the ideal soil, the sand block.
Jeff Moon, and his sons David and Andrew manage the farming operations today. Jeff Moon has raised his sons with traditional values and with their ever moving minds they have created a thriving business based on old values, while incorporating vision and new technologies to ensure the growth of the business. Moons have several characteristics known to their suppliers, peers, employees and consumers; quality, loyalty, fainess and honesty. Since 1994 Moonrocks has taken o 2005 Winner Maranoa and District Business Exellence Award - Primary Production 2005 Listed 79 in the Queensland Business awards Q400 2001 Nolans Interstate Transport begin use of the "Moonrocks" Refrigerated van
Moonrocks take pride in leading and being a part of industry body groups. Today Moonrocks are members of the following organisations, associations and institutions:
Annual pilgrimages arrive from Government bodies, University groups and specialists in their fields to experiment, discuss and observe growing and production atf Moonrocks. To date Moonrocks have funded University of Queensland student study trips to Singapore and Dubai, attempting to encourage youth to enter rural industries upon graduation. Moonrocks supports groups and charities with significant donations made to the Burleigh Heads Life Saver Club, Local schools and community events. The strength behind the thriving Moonrocks enterprise is a close family, united in their quest for excellence. Their aim is simple: to continue to lead the industry in growing premium produce and to make sure it reaches their customers on time and in pristine condition.
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kmanship in contract cotton harvesting.
ut numerous awards recognising these traits.
Today Moonrocks have a steady wholesale client base, with new avenues opening regularly. Customers contact Moons directly to praise efforts and to commend their bought produce. Moons pride themselves on direct communication with retailers and being in touch with the consumers desires.