Toowoomba Weis Factory sale proceeds donated to USQ, Heritage Bank

After more than 60 years of producing ice-cream bars, the famous Weis Factory has been sold. Now the beneficiaries of a $1m donation from the sale have been named.

Geraldine Mackenzie, USQ Vice-Chancellor and Bill Armagnacq, Chairman of Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation Heritage Bank. USQ and Heritage Bank to receive a $1m donation from Unilever after the sale of the Weis factory. Picture: Nev Madsen.

More than $1m will be invested into the Toowoomba community from the sale of the city’s famous Weis ice-cream factory.

Previous facility owner Unilever announced on Tuesday it would donate a quarter of proceeds from the sale to both the University of Southern Queensland and the Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation.

It comes a week after the multinational company revealed it had sold the factory to Pittsworth-based Country Synergy, in a deal worth upwards of $4m.

The $1m donation marked the last stage in Unilever’s two-year divestment from Toowoomba, after announcing in 2019 it would close the Weis factory and move operations to New South Wales.

It is also a final thankyou to the Garden City, which had been the home of the famous Weis bars for more than 60 years.

The final ice-creams were produced in January, before production stopped.

HBCF’s Paul Olds said their portion of the donation, worth about two-thirds of the overall amount, would be used to support agrifood innovation, sustainable farming practices and local entrepreneurs.

“We are extremely honoured to be given this exciting opportunity that will ensure Weis’ contribution to Toowoomba and surrounding areas continues,” he said.

“This partnership sees two iconic Toowoomba brands join forces to support local projects that will help grow a stronger region.

“We look forward to working with the recipient charities in making a significant impact.”

University of Southern Queensland vice-chancellor Geraldine Mackenzie said its funds would provide undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships in areas including food science and technology, agricultural engineering and sustainability.

The university will match the donation two-to-one, meaning the scholarships will be available in perpetuity.

“USQ has a track record of research excellence with its Centre for Agricultural Engineering, as well as strong engineering and technology academic outcomes,” Professor Mackenzie said.

“With our more than 50 year history in Toowoomba, we understand the important impact Weis has had on our community.

“We are honoured to continue that legacy through this scholarship.”

Weis brand manager Annie Lucchitti said Unilever had been impressed by the quality of the applications it received to earn a share of the funding.

“We received a variety of applications from organisations operating in and around the Toowoomba region and were immensely inspired by the proposals and the clear breadth of talent that was showcased,” she said.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation and USQ to bring this to life.

“Queensland has and will continue to play a very important part of the Weis brand.

“Beyond the community fund, we will continue supporting businesses and farmers throughout the state by retaining local fruit sourcing.”