6 East Gippsland News Weekend | May 2024 KENNY KOALA: It’s my pleasure to welcome local businesswoman and philanthropist, Carlee Knight. Have you ever had coffee with a koala? CARLEE KNIGHT: Kenny, well no, I don’t even drink coffee. KK: It’s becoming a fairly standard response on this segment. Not sure how the local coffee shops survive. What do you enjoy with breakfast? CK: I’m a hot chocolate person. KK: Do you have a preferred venue? CK: Tradies Takeaway. KK: Yes, the reports are sensational. You are the proprietor of the Bairnsdale Horse Centre. How long have you been there? CK: 23 years, I opened the business when I East Gippsland Newspapers mascot, Kenny Koala, has been out and about in the community, enjoying a coffee with prominent local business people discussing their business, what it involves and what the regions requires in an ever-changing business environment. Coffee Kenny with left school and have been here ever since. KK: Do you come from a horse background? CK: I grew up at Coonwarra, my parents ran the school camp and the trail rides there. I latched onto the horses and it became a passion. KK: Did you compete? CK: I used to do a lot of mountain racing and then I got my racing trainer’s licence. KK: Yes you had plenty of success with that horse, what was his name? it was all over the papers at the time. CK: Our Henry. KK: He won from memory six races for you over a couple of year period, they were exciting times. CK: Yes, we had plenty of fun and it was a good ride. KK: After he left your stable he went to another local trainer, Danny Cunningham, and Paddy Bell won a race on him. Paddy was famous for being the track rider of one of the greatest of all time, Black Caviar. CK: You have a good memory Kenny. KK: I remember seeing Henry win a couple of races at the Bairnsdale racecourse from my favourite tree. You were making an impression and you retired? CK: Yes, pregnancy ended the training career. KK: Retired to stud in your prime, like Black Cavair, Winx and Makybe Diva. Ever thought of returning? CK: I have plenty going on Kenny, no time unfortunately. KK: You had some luck as an owner not so many years ago, do you have any horses on the go at the moment? CK: Not at the moment Kenny. Ocean Embers that was trained by Shea Eden, she won six races from 17 starts, including some group three success, it was another great ride. KK: What does the Bairnsdale Horse Centre offer? CK: All your horse gear needs, as well as a lot of clothing and footwear. KK: Has it completely evolved since you started? CK: No, much the same. We’ve just increased the amount of clothing and footwear, and we now do some charity merchandise for three different not-for-profits. KK: Dolly’s Dream? CK: Trademutt and Sober in the Country. KK: Dolly’s Dream was the first, when did you join the blue tsunami? CK: It was six years ago after Dolly passed away, we are now the official merchandise supplier. KK: It’s huge Carlee, I remember seeing a person with a shirt on in Phuket, when I went to a koala convention. CK: You get around Kenny. But yes, Dolly is everywhere. With Do it For Dolly Day coming up next Friday, we have sent out 2000 orders over the past month. KK: Do you deal with stores or individuals? CK: Just individuals, suppliers cut the donation amount, which we make a contribution each and every month. In February we reached $632,000 in donations all up in six years. We are currently on the road, now with a goose neck full of Dolly’s Dream merchandise, heading to Rockhampton for Beef Week. KK: Is it your first time with a merchandising stall at the event? CK: Yes, it’s one of the biggest agricultural events in Australia and held every three years. We have plenty of merch on board and are hoping we don’t bring any back with us, that would be a great result for Dolly. KK: Have you been to many other events? CK: We’ve done Deniliquin Ute Muster, Katherine Show, and plenty of campdrafts and rodeos. KK: Tell me about TradeMutt. CK: TradeMutt is a social impact workwear brand, by tradies for tradies. It’s funky, eye-catching workwear designed to start conversations about mental health, helping make an invisible issue impossible to ignore. They fund their own free mental health support line, with 50 per cent of the profits of the sale of their shirts. KK: I love the colouring on their gear. CK: They target truckies, tradies and blue collar workers. Native timber support available now Native timber harvesting has ended in Victoria but support is still available. Native timber businesses, workers and communities can continue to access a range of support including: • The Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program –including payments and training, 1:1 case management, employment services, health and wellbeing support. • Business support – including exit packages and funding to help diversify. • Community support – health and wellbeing services and community development planning and funding. For more information: • Forestry Transition hotline - 1800 318 182 • Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program - 1800 122 001 vic.gov.au/forestry (03) 5153 9700 294 Main Street, Bairnsdale Open 7 Days Monday-Friday: 9am - 5:30pm Saturday: 9 - 4 Sunday: 10 - 4 Optus dealer Local
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