Woman behind beloved Aussie icon Bundaberg Drinks dies

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks has shared a sad announcement on social media, revealing it had lost a key part of the business.

One of the founders of Aussie icon Bundaberg Brewed Drinks has died, the family-owned Queensland company has announced.

The company used social media to announce the death of Lee Fleming, who was instrumental in founding the company in the 1960s alongside her husband Cliff.

“With great sadness, we announce the passing of our Bundaberg Brewed Drinks co-founder, Lee Fleming,” the company said in a statement.

“Lee was passionate, kind-hearted, and instrumental to the foundation and growth of our much-loved Bundaberg Ginger Beer.

“The entire Bundaberg Brewed Drinks family will so sorely miss her.

“We will miss you, Lee.”

Ms Fleming died at the Friendly Society Private Hospital in Bundaberg on August 8, aged 82.

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Co-founder Lee Fleming.

She was instrumental in setting up the company, known for its iconic Bundaberg Ginger Beer, before it exploded into an international giant in the soft drink industry in recent years.

She founded the company along with Cliff and her parents-in-law Neville and Gladys in 1968.

When Neville and Gladys retired in 1985, she and her husband took over the reigns.

Soon after the company began exporting to other countries and today Bundaberg’s products can be found in over 60 countries.

In 2018 the company signed a distribution deal with Pepsi which has allowed its products to be distributed in over 400,000 stores and restaurants in the United States and its annual turnover is estimated to be over $200m.

It’s one of the biggest employers in the central Queensland city and its workforce has grown to 240.

The company recently opened a $150m “super brewery” which is set to double its production as it aims for a greater slice of the global market.