The iconic South Australian ice cream brand Golden North will leave its historic home in Laura after more than 100 years, relocating to a new, larger facility in Murray Bridge under the leadership of Greek Australian entrepreneurs Dimi Kyriazis and Steve Kosmidis.
The move marks a significant shift for the beloved brand, known for producing more than 10 million litres of ice cream annually, including favourites like Giant Twins. Golden North now plans to expand production to 40 million litres, aiming to compete on a national and global scale.
Four of the five families who had owned Golden North since 2008 have exited the business, leaving Kyriazis, a long-time director, and Kosmidis, new co-owner and a former petrol station mogul, to take the reins.
Kosmidis purchased the former Beston Global Foods site in Murray Bridge after it went into liquidation, paving the way for the company’s relocation.
“We’re victims of our own success at the moment because we’ve really outgrown where we are,” Kyriazis told The Advertiser, emphasising the contribution of the Laura community.
“99 per cent of that success is because of the people who are at Laura – they have done a spectacular job.”
Despite the brand’s strong roots in the Mid North town, logistical and growth challenges prompted the move. Kyriazis cited the lack of local dairy farming and long transportation distances as key reasons.
“The opportunity that the Murray Bridge site has presented to us is we’ve got physical space to grow into, and we’re also on the highway to all of our customers on the east coast – we will get it set up for growth, sustainability, and make sure that our brand lives for another 100 years,” he said.
The current Laura facility will close by June 2026, with a 12-month transition period underway. Around 80 staff members are affected, though Golden North is offering redeployment options, and the South Australian government is stepping in with job support services, mental health resources, and a $1 million community infrastructure package.
The announcement has been met with mixed emotions. Northern Areas Council mayor Sue Scarman called the departure “disappointing” and “a loss for our community,” but expressed hope the support package would ease the transition.
Source: The Advertiser
