More than 600 employees, retirees, family members, growers, neighbors and community members recently came together to celebrate an extraordinary milestone: 100 years of the Bathurst site and the Edgell legacy.
What began as a small asparagus cannery established by Robert Gordon Edgell in 1926 has grown into one of Australia’s most iconic food manufacturing sites. To mark the occasion, the Bathurst Family Open Day opened the gates for a day of celebration, connection and community, giving visitors a rare opportunity to experience the people, products and history behind a site that has been feeding Australians for generations.
Current and former employees shared memories of their time at Bathurst while enjoying behind-the-scenes access to the facility, family-friendly activities and historical displays alongside family, friends and members of the local community.
The celebrations commenced with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony delivered by representatives from the Bathurst Aboriginal Land Council, recognizing the traditional custodians of the land and its rich history.
A Rare Look Inside
One of the highlights of the day was the self-guided factory tour, which gave visitors a behind-the-scenes look at a modern food manufacturing operation.
The site’s Training Room was transformed into a temporary museum showcasing a century of Bathurst history. Historical photographs, Edgell memorabilia and artifacts highlighted the site's evolution over the decades, while a special video followed the journey from corn harvest through processing and into many of the products Australians know and love today.
Fun, Food and Community
Beyond the factory tour, the day offered activities for all ages.
Children enjoyed face painting, games, inflatable activities and photo booth fun, while visitors explored historic and modern agricultural equipment, including vintage Farmall tractors, harvesters and John Deere machinery that reflected Bathurst’s longstanding connection to Australian agriculture.
The local fire brigade supplied water activities and goodie bags for children, while the iconic Chiko Variety Bash cars proved a popular photo stop throughout the day.
Food was, appropriately, at the heart of the celebration, with guests enjoying favorites including Chiko Rolls, Corn Jacks and Birds Eye Potato Gems alongside offerings from local vendors.
A Century of Innovation
Over the past century, Bathurst has evolved from a pioneering asparagus cannery into a modern vegetable processing center of excellence. Today, the site produces products for much-loved brands including Edgell, Birds Eye and Chiko Roll, using Australian-grown vegetables sourced through long-standing partnerships with local growers.
Significant investment in recent years has expanded processing capabilities, introduced advanced technologies and strengthened the site’s ability to deliver high-quality products to consumers across Australia.
As Bathurst enters its second century, it continues to be an important part of Simplot’s commitment to Contributing to Feeding Our World through innovation, quality, strong community connections and a dedication to producing food Australians know and trust.
