However, this most recent episode in the Kangaroo Island premium brand story began a year ago when a group of famers approached Duncan MacGillivray after he had visited the island to speak at a business breakfast. Mr MacGillivray had recently sold his wine and vineyard interests in the Adelaide Hills so the timing was good.

He saw an opportunity to bring together the hard work already done by the KI Canola Company, in establishing a market for a premium Kangaroo Island product, and the world’s growing appetite for clean, green food.

It made economic sense that if one company was handling the growing canola industry’s product then it could handle all the island’s other grains, and perhaps build on the marketing work already done by that industry.

Mr MacGillivray’s wide experience in export and marketing through grain and meat companies and in working for the Adelaide Hills Development Board have been brought to bear.

We are confident he also has a wide network and contacts that can only benefit the island’s new association with him.

His enthusiasm is matched by the confidence so far expressed by our farmers. He even speaks of the possibility someone might re-open the island’s abattoirs.

Meanwhile, the news about Great Southern is pause for thought. While a local farmers’ group might have been able to return the land to cropping or grazing, a large timber company may be able to harvest and sell the timber, surely a good result too.

There will be more certainty once a buyer is confirmed.