After nearly three decades on the Drinks Association board, including 23 years as Chair, Ralph Dunning is retiring from his role. This marks the end of an extraordinary era of leadership, collaboration and contribution to the Australian drinks industry.
A career shaped by growth and change
Ralph’s career has spanned more than 45 years in the liquor industry. But that’s not where it began. Fresh out of tertiary education, he honed his craft at Cadbury Schweppes as a rep for Cadbury Confectionery. It was that grocery experience that allowed him to make the transition into the wine industry. And from there, he never looked back.
In the early years of his career, Australian wine was on the cusp of transformation. Exports were starting to boom and the industry was shifting from a small domestic base to a global stage.
“It was an exciting time to be in the industry,” Ralph recalled. “The UK really took to Australian wine and our industry just exploded. For a young person, it was thrilling – travelling the world, representing Australian producers and being part of something that was growing so rapidly.”
Ralph joined the Drinks Association board in 1996 as a representative for the Yalumba Wine Group. At the time, the association – then known as the Liquor Merchants Association – was a small operation focused on data collection and pricing information. Over the decades, Ralph has watched its transformation into a modern, member-driven organisation at the heart of the industry.
“What began as a group that fixed pricing in 1897 evolved into a data-driven business supporting our members,” he explained. “We supplied information they couldn’t easily get themselves – licensing, pricing, credit data – and made it affordable by doing it collectively. That’s where the power of collaboration really started.”
Leading through collaboration
Ralph’s tenure as Chair is defined by his belief in the power of people working together. Under his leadership, the Drinks Association strengthened its connection with members, expanded its services and became a trusted, high-performance partner to the industry.
“Engagement has always been key,” Ralph said. “We knew that if we could show members what we were doing and help them use our data and programs to make better decisions, we could deliver real value back to their businesses.”
He credits much of the association’s success to its leaders and the culture they built together. “I’ve simply achieved things through the success of our CEOs,” he said. “Sandra Przibilla and later Georgia Lennon both brought strong strategic thinking and a collaborative approach that helped the Drinks Association become the powerful force it is today. It’s a team environment, and I was just fortunate to lead that team.”
Throughout his tenure, Ralph has also welcomed those initiatives that go beyond business to position the drinks industry as a destination of choice.
“Diversity, inclusion and sustainability are central to a thriving industry,” Ralph said. “These programs help us attract and develop great people, drive innovation and ensure we’re having a positive impact — not just for our industry, but for the planet.”
Looking ahead
Even as he steps away from the board, Ralph remains deeply optimistic about the future of the Drinks Association and the industry. He sees technology and international collaboration as key opportunities on the horizon.
“I think AI could be the biggest opportunity – and the biggest challenge – in the coming years,” he reflected. “It will change how strategies are set, insights are found and products are brought to market. The Drinks Association’s role will be to help members respond effectively so that everyone can continue to prosper.”
He also hopes to see greater global connection between like-minded associations. “There’s so much to learn from our counterparts overseas and just as much we can share. That spirit of collaboration has always been what makes our industry special.”
After 29 years on the board, Ralph steps down with immense pride in what the Drinks Association has achieved and confidence in what lies ahead.
“We’ve got highly skilled people that our members can have 100% confidence in,” he said. “It’s a great association and I’ve been thrilled to lead it as Chair for the last 23 years.”
The Drinks Association thanks Ralph Dunning for his decades of leadership, dedication and passion. His vision and collaboration have helped shape a stronger, more connected industry and his legacy will continue to guide the association for years to come.