Act of generosity marks 150 years of Harraways

Harraways chairman Trevor Scott (left) chats with Dunedin deputy Mayor Chris Staynes at a function celebrating the Dunedin company's 150th anniversary held at the Glenroy Auditorium on Saturday night. Photo: Gerard O'Brien
Harraways chairman Trevor Scott (left) chats with Dunedin deputy Mayor Chris Staynes at a function celebrating the Dunedin company's 150th anniversary held at the Glenroy Auditorium on Saturday night. Photo: Gerard O'Brien
Dunedin company Harraways celebrated its 150th anniversary with an act of generosity.

The oats company, which has been based in Green Island since it was established in 1867 by Henry Harraway, celebrated its anniversary at the Glenroy Auditorium on Saturday night.

Company chairman Trevor Scott said it chose the occasion to announce the donation of $100,000 to the University of Otago's Department of Food Science.

Picking a recipient at Otago University was easy because of the company's links with the department, Mr Scott said.

''We use the food sciences department at the university often to help solve technical problems and of course we employ graduates.''

Those graduates helped develop new products for Harraway's, which helped keep the company successful.

Saturday was a special occasion for the company as not many had survived so long.

''There are only two or three companies in Dunedin that have survived 150 years, so it's very significant.''

He attributed Harraways success to its staff, efficient management, investment in plant and, importantly, adaptability.

It had moved from stock food and flour processing to oats, which time had shown was a smart move.

The increasing popularity of oats as a health food meant the company and its 60 staff had a bright future.

The $100,000 donation would be spread over five years and fund a visiting professorship each year.

Each visiting professor would be required to give public talks in Dunedin and Auckland.

vaughan.elder@odt.co.nz

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