Retiring Riverland grape grower says industry support has come too late
After more than half a century, Riverland irrigator Jack Papageorgiou is turning off the taps at his beloved vineyard and retiring.
Jack Papageorgiou, a long-time grape grower in South Australia's Riverland, is set to retire as he believes the industry support he has received is too little, too late. For over five decades, Jack has dedicated his life to caring for his land, withstanding the challenges of the Millennium Drought and the subsequent downturn in the wine industry.
The recent $109 million package announced by the South Australian government, including loans to help growers transition to other crops, has not been enough to save his family's vineyard. Jack's family has already taken significant financial measures, with his wife having to withdraw $150,000 from her superannuation savings, in a desperate attempt to keep the business afloat.
Despite this, Jack is now considering selling his property to find better quality of life and dedicated time with his loved ones. He hopes to find a buyer before the next vintage, but acknowledges the difficulty in selling as banks are often reluctant to lend money for vineyard properties. Jack's son's tragic suicide in 2016 has motivated him to provide mental health support within his community.
Riverland Wine executive officer Andrew Weeks commended Jack's commitment and courage in advocating for the wine industry. Jack hopes to travel more of Australia and return to his home country of Greece, with his wife, daughter, and grandson being his top priorities.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
