by Chris McCormack Melbourne clothing maker diversifies to produce essential PPE Government procurements total 15 per cent of GDP “Buy Australian First” procurement policy would reinvigorate local manufacturing Amid the economic Armageddon due to the covid19 lockdown, a ray of hope has emerged for one Australian manufacturer. Fella Hamilton, named after its female founder in 1969, is a Melbourne-based clothing manufacturer. Initially a wholesaler to boutiques and department stores, it expanded in the 1980s to the 31 retail outlets today, selling exclusively its own-brand clothing. Approximately half of its range is still made in Australia, while some products such as…