Episode 9 - Legacy
Welcome to the Still Magic Podcast, your one-click audio stop for all things gin be it gin making, gin production, gin distilling, gin manufacturing, gin commercialising, gin tasting, gin drinking, gin steeping and everything else in between.
This is a story of Australian produce worth sharing.
Today we take a trip to Australia’s most populated city, and travel to the suburb of St Leonards, located at the southern end of Sydney’s north shore.
And it is there that we chat with Georgia Conn and Kyle Ford.
Partners in business and the game of life, each will share their insights concerning their interest in gin, it's place in Australia’s craft gin movement and their decision to take on that most noble of challenges; to take a gin concept and turn that into a commercial reality.
Hailing from Victoria, Georgia's family moved north to New South Wales, settling in Berowra, where Georgia spent her formative years with her younger sister and brother. Sport and a vast array of 'when-I-grow-up' interest ranging from acting to building – complete with a tool belt as a birthday present – punctuated 10 year old Georgia’s ambitions. Finally, it’s now hammer time for Georgia Conn.
A former defence serviceman with the Australian Air Force, Kyle’s hometown is Gloucester, located in rural New South Wales, approximately 3 hours drive north of Sydney.
Kyle cites his cousin’s career in the navy, as influencing a decision to craft his secondary education toward the military. His near 10 years of serving his country, comprised a vast array of career highlights, culminating in a raft of practical skills, and enduring mateship.
Though from contrasting backgrounds, both Georgia and Kyle shared a love of travel; an outlet that each of them pursued with great gusto before they first met.
And so it was, at an unremarkable transport stop in Prague, where Georgia and her younger sister had run to meet a bus. Seated and breathless, they were somewhat annoyed to see, that despite running as if their lives were at stake, they were going nowhere fast for around 20 minutes.
Turns out they were awaiting a wayward passenger to fulfil boarding formalities – a happy go lucky “boy from the bush” named Kyle Ford – before they could set off.
This chance encounter triggered off a series of European adventures together, a return to Australia, and a 2 year odyssey to find ‘it’. This search would manifest itself as Finders Distillery.
Their story is proof positive that energy, desire, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn will get you there.
This is Georgia and Kyle's story
https://www.findersdistillery.com/
Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Let's create the next gin narrative.
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Narrator: Marcel Thompson
@stillmagicway
Editor:@alexipigot
Still Magic
Hosted by award winning gin distiller and educator Marcel Thompson, the Still Magic podcast provides insights concerning gin making, gin producing, gin distilling, gin manufacturing, gin commercialising, gin tasting, gin drinking gin steeping and everything else in between.
Each podcast episode brings gin's centuries-long history to life in a contemporary setting, season by season. This includes assessing an array of different gins in efforts to determine what makes a great gin.
Local and international distillers share their insights as well. You'll receive a rare glimpse into the energy, passion, and desire that manifests itself as wonderful products people enjoy worldwide.
Collective experiences from episode guests will show that the following principles are as applicable to a gin making journey as any other new, exciting, or challenging endeavour
- Simplicity is best;
- Less is more;
- Inexperience is no barrier to success.
Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Let's create the next gin narrative...