Life Repurposed with Ronni Kahn AO
Founder and CEO of OzHarvest, Ronni Kahn AO, is set to share how she finds purpose in life and in business at Venue 114’s In Conversation – Life Repurposed!
After witnessing the overflow of food waste from her corporate events business, Ronni Kahn AO was driven to keep that food – still good enough to eat! – out of our curbside bins and rubbish dumps. What started as one van in Sydney, rescuing food and delivering to local charities, became Australia’s leading food rescue organisation OzHarvest.
Founding the organisation in 2004, Ronni was instrumental in changing food waste legislation across Australia. This allowed OzHarvest to deliver more than 218 million meals to women, children and men in need – while rescuing over 72,000 tonnes of food from ending up as landfill and waste.
Ronni’s people, place and planet focused efforts earned her recognition as an Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Australian Local Hero of the Year and Officer of the Order of Australia.
Now people, place and planet will combine in our local region as Ronni visits the Sunshine Coast for Venue 114’s upcoming panel event, In Conversation – Life Repurposed.
Listen to Ronni’s inspiring keynote as she reflects on her journey to find purpose in life and in business.
She’s feeling energised and looking forward to sharing how to channel her skills, knowledge and passion to contribute to a greater good.
“Living a life with purpose is our birthright,” she said.
“I’m committed to shining a light on where it is we find our purpose.”
Ronni Kahn will be joined by special guests including MC Deb Caruso, our own founder and local publishing legend with a passion for Slow Food. Guests will also hear from a panel of local change agents who are powering beyond the business-as-usual approach to find their purpose and create a greater good through doing things differently.
On the panel will be Christine Ballinger, the Farm Manager at The Falls Farm. The resulting produce from this recognised Farmers for Climate Action site has been named the national winner of the 2022 delicious. Produce Awards ‘From the Earth’ category! Christine will share her passion for the role of regenerative agriculture practice in our food systems and how this impactful blend of purpose, planet and people forms the backbone of their success.
Joining Christine will be Naomi Elliott, the driving force and General Manager of Concept Labs, an innovative and sustainable manufacturing facility on the Sunshine Coast that produces cosmetic, skin care and cleaning products. She will share her passion for creating a world where each of us, our communities and our planet can flourish.
Sharing her journey to discovering her purpose will also be Tracey Morris, the co-founder of No More Fake Smiles. This registered not-for-profit charity provides victims of child sexual abuse with advocacy through the judicial system, therapy of choice and vital support on the path to healing.
As a passionate advocate for the protection and respect of child victims in the judicial system, she will share her dedication to raising awareness of the long-term effects of child sexual abuse and providing consistent avenues for children to reach out and receive the support they need.
Rounding out the panel will be Alana Kennedy, a Kalkadoon and Waanyi woman on Kalkadoon and Boojamulla Country in North West Queensland, who has embarked on a new start-up venture in the Cosmetics Industry with Ochre Sun.
She also drives the Women-Into-Business chapter of the Townsville Regional Indigenous Business Network to develop the personal and professional skills of Indigenous Women and works as a Indigenous Advisory and Engagement Consultant with IPS to create meaningful pathways for Indigenous communities and businesses.
Alana will share her dynamic, self-driven appetite for success and her belief that economic development and following Indigenous Traditional values are the keys to addressing the challenges that Indigenous communities face.
Venue 114 manager Louise Thompson said sustainability was “at the core of who we are and how we operate at Venue 114.
“As one of only two venues on the Sunshine Coast which has acquired EarthCheck Evaluate status, we continue to implement sustainability initiatives and endeavour to educate and empower our community by curating impactful In Conversation events,” Ms Thompson said.
Echoing the event’s theme, guests will enjoy the exquisite flavours of a local, seasonal, ethical and zero-waste menu (banana skin bacon anyone?!) curated by much-loved local caterers, Penfolds Catering. There a few surprises in store for what promises to be an event to remember!
Walk away inspired, with new connections, crafting your own story of purpose and supporting innovative, positive change.
In Conversation – Life Repurposed
WHEN: Friday 7 October, 6.30am – 8.30am
WHERE: Venue 114, 114 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina
TICKETS: $59.90 per person plus booking fee, including breakfast
