The Complementary Healthcare Council’s most prestigious award is the Lady Cilento Award. It is awarded in recognition of an individual’s outstanding contribution to the industry and/or community over an extended period of time. The Award acknowledges an individual’s professionalism, contribution of outstanding merit and reflection of high aspirations benefiting the complementary healthcare ethos.

Melrose is proud to announce that this year’s recipient of the Lady Cilento Award is our very own founder Geoff Steinicke.

Geoff Steinicke founded Melrose Health in 1979 with the help and support of his wife Judy and son Andrew. Melrose started from small beginnings in the garage at the family home. When the business started to grow, Judy encouraged Geoff to find a more suitable location for a manufacturing business. The early business was involved with Vitamin C powders, Flaxseed Oil and Cod Liver Oil. In 1990 Melrose had to take what was then seen as the big step of getting a TGA licence. Melrose received its TGA licence in 1991.

Geoff Steinicke was an active member of the forerunner of the CHC known as the Nutritional Foods Association or NFA. Geoff and the rest of the Melbourne NFA team successfully organised the only NFA/CHC expo in Melbourne in 1990. Melrose has been a long standing financial member of the CHC and taken part in all but one CHC expos.

Today Geoff has established a reputation for himself and Melrose that is envied by many. This is a reputation for honesty and integrity. People know Geoff loves the industry that has been a major part of his life for 30 years. They know the product he manufactures and markets under the brand Melrose will be of high quality and purity.

As Melrose enters its 30th year the company now employs over 40 people and has a turnover approaching 20 million dollars per annum. The range includes Nutritional medicines, Organic foods, Personal care products, Massages oils and even supplements for animals.

As Melrose has grown it has maintained its culture of being a family business. Geoff and Judy Steinicke still work actively in the business. Their children David Steinicke (Production Manager), Andy Steinicke (Warehouse) and Rose Pockett (Office) are also key contributors to the business. The entire family is well respected by staff and business associates.

Geoff has a Diploma in Chemistry with a keen interest in the chemistry of oils. He also has a Bachelor Degree in Economics. His wife Judy is a qualified Pharmacist. Geoff was one of the first people to realise that the modern diet was deficient in Omega-3 essential fatty acids. When looking for foods high in Omega -3 he found Flaxseed Oil had nearly 60% Omega-3. This focus on flaxseed oil was eventually to lead to a successful business. But in the early days of Melrose there was no such thing as a good oil and Geoff had to educate the population to the benefits of Omega-3 oils. It all seems so logical today when Omega-3 content is so important in the marketing of so many foods.

As Geoff approaches his 78 birthday and Melrose enters its 30th year I believe Geoff Steinicke to be a shining example of strong ethics in the complementary medicine industry and is a worthy recipient of the Lady Cilento Award.

Warren Morey
General Manager
Melrose Health