Bold truth: Ballarat’s Gekko Systems has turned a tiny backyard office into a global powerhouse in mining tech, and the journey isn’t just impressive—it’s a story about grit, purpose, and bold growth.
Gekko Systems: From a Modest Back-Garden Office to a Worldwide Leader
February 21, 2026 – 11:00am
Ballarat-based Gekko Systems is marking 30 years in business this month with a special celebration that honours the people, partnerships, and ideas behind the company’s ascent to industry leadership.
The company formally celebrated its three-decade milestone with an event held at Itinerant Spirits Cocktail Bar and Distillery, highlighting the collaborative spirit and innovative mindset that have driven its success.
Founders Elizabeth Lewis-Gray and Sandy Gray built Gekko Systems from a small office in the back garden into a global pioneer in mining technology and services.
“We started with a clear aim: to create a business that reflected our values, remained competitive, and could operate on a global scale,” Ms. Lewis-Gray explained.
Looking back, she admits the early days were driven more by a desire to survive and cover the housing loan than by a vision of worldwide brand recognition. “We never imagined it would grow so large, or that we would become known globally for innovation, or that our people would become our strongest asset,” she said.
The journey, while challenging, has been profoundly rewarding for the team. As the company evolved, so did its footprint and capabilities, culminating in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility established after moving to Learmonth Road in 1998.
Today, Gekko Systems stands as a beacon of mining innovation, built on a foundation of resilience, collaboration, and a relentless drive to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the field.
Question to readers: Do you think a company’s growth story should center more on humble beginnings and steady scaling, or on bold leaps and global expansion? Share your view in the comments and tell us which part of Gekko’s journey you find most inspiring—or controversial.
