The birth and growth of one of the Riverina’s most successful stories – Whitton Malt House – comes down to one word: opportunistic.

Four farming families with a knack for spotting opportunity and the courage to back themselves were sharing a bottle of red wine while lamenting the challenges of growing cotton in the Riverina.

It was the year 2011. Pesticides were no longer the obstacle they were a decade earlier and water had become more user-friendly.

Ginning was the big stumbling block. The closest cotton gin was located at Hillston.

Then came the question: Why can’t we just build one ourselves?

“It was the classic country mindset: if it’s to be, it’s up to me,” Whitton Malt House General Manager, Kaitlin Leonard said when she addressed the recent AgriWomen Connect conference at Whitton.

“They didn’t have a background in cotton ginning. The banks did not want to back their proposal.

“But they had what mattered most: practical know-how, deep roots in agriculture, and a belief in rolling up your sleeves and getting things done.

“They developed the site in under 12 months and Southern Cotton was born.

“They transformed a subdivided ‘greenfield’ site into an operational $26 million gin.”

In June 2012, the first Southern Cotton bale was ginned.

Southern Cotton went on to gin the most bales ever in a first-year ginning season, processing 166,234 bales.

Kaitlin is a founding family member of Southern Cotton and Whitton Malt House and grew up on the family farm next door.

Her husband, Matt Leonard is currently employed as Chief Operation Officer with Southern Cotton.

Barely seven years after establishing Southern Cotton in record time, the family was ready for their next chapter, partnering with Voyager Craft Malt to support the development of a sustainable small-batch malting facility using locally grown grains.

It was a way to keep value in the region and support Australian brewers, distillers and bakers.

“It was that same commitment to doing things properly and doing them together that led to this next chapter,” Kaitlin said.

“And then we thought – if we’re going to ply people with alcohol, they will need something to eat; a little café where they can get a sandwich and a cup of tea. And they will need to stay overnight.

“So they built it. That place is the Whitton Malt House, developed in less than a year.

“When these four farming families ask, “why can’t we do that?” – we’re bound to end up with something extraordinary.

“On one of their travels, my parents found a beautiful waterfall. When they came back, they created one as a feature in the garden.

“My uncle is a mad-keen golfer, so they introduced a golf experience.

“We also opened our caravan park this month.

“Concerned with too many vacancies in our accommodation during mid-week, we decided that caravanners are usually on the road all the time, and could fill in those quiet times.”

And the next chapter – hosting one of the Riverina’s most anticipated events, the Riverina Field Days.

Formerly known as the Murrumbidgee Farm Fair, the field days had a 40-year tradition showcasing local agriculture at Griffith Showground.

When the Coro Club ceased hosting the event due to rising costs and rain-related losses, the future of the field days was in jeopardy after it was cancelled in 2024.

At the suggestion of a staff member, the intrepid team spotted another opportunity, rolled up their sleeves and created the site for the big event at Whitton Malt House on March 27 and 28.

Kaitlin has a deep connection to the land and over a decade of experience in strategy, operations and business development.

When she was asked to join the family business, Kaitlin brought with her a blend of sharp commercial insight and genuine care for people and place.

She leads a team dedicated to regional storytelling, local pride and warm hospitality.

This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 18 March 2026.