Photo: Bully’s Meats
The 2022 South Australian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner has been announced.
Three innovative, bold women from across the state were named as finalists and the award aims to support women to bring a project or initiative to life that benefits rural industries and communities, with a $15,000 grant.
Held at The Lakes Resort Hotel on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 as her name was called, Robyn Verrall said it was an absolutely amazing feeling to be announced as the 2022 South Australian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner.
“It was a thrilling feeling and quite overwhelming considering the other two finalists are amazing women,” Robyn said.
“Having the minister announce the awards, I was silent for a little bit and for anyone that knows me, that is a big thing to do.”
The other two finalists, Lukina Lukin and Stephanie Lunn are very well respected by Robyn and she said it was an honour to be named alongside them for the award.
Lukin is Managing Director of Lukina Group of Companies and is currently working towards opening a pathway for her business Dinko Tuna and the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) industry to grow globally, and move into emerging export markets across Asia, Middle East and US.
Lunn is an expert in agricultural research and development, as well as director for not-for-profit venture, TrialSafe.
“It was surreal to hear my name, but it was something that I really wanted,” Robyn said.
“In the company of the other finalists, you wouldn’t know you won until your name is called.”
Robyn also does a lot of philanthropy work. She is the owner of Bully’s Meats on the Limestone Coast and the passion to help stems from a
“It happened around eight years ago with my business Bully’s Meats. I wanted to help others get food after I helped one woman,” Robyn said.
“I was packing up some meat for her and she asked me “what’s that?”
“I told her this is the food that I’ll be putting in your freezer and you’ll have it with your family for Christmas. She told me that she’d never had spare food before. That’s when I opened her freezer and there was nothing in it.
“That’s when reality hit and from that point we made it our business to ensure that if anybody asked or nominated, we could provide food for those who don’t have anything.”
While helping others eat when in need, Robyn is also the Director, Founder and Business Advisor of Kere To Country.
Kere To Country is a First Nations owned and operated food supply company located in Alice Springs.
“Kere To Country came about when I met Jessica Wishart, CEO of KTC,” Robyn said.
“She went to Alice Springs for a family event and asked me how it was cheaper and easier for me to get meat into the communities around SA. I sit in to make sure they get really great quality food with great pricing. I’m really proud of Jessica and Bully’s Meats is a big component for the business.”
2022 looks to be a big year for Robyn and with the $15,000 grant funding received from the award she will be putting it to great use.
“We will be putting it toward logistics and a cool room being made in Melbourne,”
“We are expecting a part of that to get to Alice Springs. It is really about having more opportunities to get more food into communities within SA and growing our partner base with producers, butchers and processors to make sure we can all get food to people who need it.”
You can follow Bully’s Meats on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BullysBeef
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