To trace the history of the "S.A. Gold Pack Awards" we go back to 1973 when the original "Bob Wooler Award" was conceived by the Institute of Packaging (SA) to mark the untimely death of Bob Wooler, an executive of Interpak and founder member of the Institute.

During 1974 a decision was made by the National Executive of the Institute of Packaging (SA) that the Natal Region would be responsible for the running of the "Bob Wooler Awards Programme" as it was then known. A committee was formed under the Chairmanship of Les Adams with members Pierre Olivier and Mike Mossop.

Through the following years the Awards programme developed from these small beginnings to a competition of considerable importance and prestige in the South African Packaging Industry.