A South Australian entrepreneur, Kelly Johnson, owner of Woodlane Orchard situated at Wall Flat on the Murray River, has been honored with the Belief category award at the 2024 Shine Awards. The awards, a collaboration between The Weekly Times and Harvey Norman, celebrate innovative thinking and achievements. Johnson initiated her venture in 2019, identifying a gap in the market for second-grade fruit that local farmers were discarding due to a lack of commercial viability.
Johnson's approach involved processing and drying the otherwise wasted fruit, initially marketing her products at local farmers' markets. This venture has since evolved into a successful business model. Highlighting the economic challenges faced by farmers, Johnson noted, "Farmers can't afford to pick the food they won't get paid for, that's the bottom line." She emphasized the potential for regional development if individuals and businesses collaborated to utilize food waste effectively.
Beyond her business endeavors, Johnson is committed to maintaining a community-centric approach, supporting local groups and organizations through donations and sponsorships. The Shine Awards aim to spotlight the contributions of women in regional Australia across seven categories. Other recipients include individuals from diverse fields such as agriculture, health advocacy, and sports, all recognized for their impact and resilience in their communities.
The overall Shine Award was bestowed upon Danny Mayson-Kinder from Tasmania, who established a charity in memory of her daughter, focusing on anti-bullying and emotional wellbeing programs for schoolchildren. The Shine Awards, now in their eighth year, are described by Herald and Weekly Times Chairman Penny Fowler as an initiative to foster positive change and celebrate the achievements of women in rural and regional areas. Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the significant contributions of the winners and finalists of the 2024 Shine Awards.
Source: The Advertiser