About Alexina Johnson
Obi Obi Essentials started fifteen years ago when my husband and I decided that we wanted a productive farm. After a lot of research a farm forestry plot of fifty acres was planted out the back and one thousand olive trees were planted close to the house. While work was done to maintain the trees through the growing stage, I decided to plant Camelia Senesis which are the bushes used for all of the different variety of teas, from white through to black. Barry does work regularly in China and during a trip over there, I learnt the art of green tea production.
All these years later, we have finished the seventh olive pick and olive oil production. Olive leaf tea and a variety of additions now complement the original green tea. Hand spun alpaca wool and crocheting lessons have also been added to this growing business.
Overlaying this has been the establishment of ‘Seasons of the sun’ three years ago. This is a food and beverage group that works with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to assist promotion of all things related to food from growing through to consumption. It is also there for networking and to provide a positive climate for business growth in this sector. I have been the Chair-person since the inception of this group and look forward to another successful year for this organisation.
Finally, I am now the C.E.O. of ‘Finding Common Ground’ a not for profit company that supports local agriculture. There are a lot of landowners who are time poor and want to see more done with their properties and then there are people who would like to start an agri-business but can’t afford the land. Share-farming is about successfully getting those two groups of people together with the help of others. There are individuals and organisations that have a wealth of knowledge about farming, business and other issues facing a new enterprise. It is my intention to bring all these people together to assist a new wave of agri-businesses. This is about incorporating the triple bottom line analogy where economics including job opportunities, the environment and the community are all involved to gain successful outcomes through helping individuals establishing an agri-business.
- 2012 Program Guide
Click here to see the full guide, or click on the images on the left to view presenters’ pages. - Tony Kishawi
A circus child, Tony spends adulthood reminding the world how to have fun. His work brings the joy of performance – especially Commedia Dell’arte – to thousands of actors and audience members. - Dan ReadDan lives and breathes music. His debut EP “Life Doesn’t Get Any Better”, created with talented fellow musicians, is an ode to overcoming obstacles with joy, humour and song.
- Jody Allen
Jody Allen is the owner and founder of Stay at Home Mum, a blog on how to save money around the home. She has over 90,000 followers on Facebook and after a mere 13 months has the 13th largest parenting website in the country. - Colin Graham
Colin makes entrepreneurship possible. His career in industry, universities and now as a business consultant has earned Colin ample recognition for thinking differently and making a difference. - Becky McCray
Colin makes entrepreneurship possible. His career in industry, universities and now as a business consultant has earned Colin ample recognition for thinking differently and making a difference. - Geoff Kirkwood
Geoff connects people through public speaking and leadership. A self-declared ‘referrals master’, Geoff has gained recognition in Australia and abroad for his ability to market innovative ideas. - Alexina Johnson
Alexina draws upon her farming and community building passions to talk about share-farming, networking and how small and local really is the best way to farm and eat. - Kelly Chambers
Kelly has travelled the world as a didgeridoo seller, commodities trader, student, courier and care-giver. Now, he accompanies non-traditional students on their educational journeys. - Ernesto Sirolli
Italian-born, Dr. Ernesto Sirolli has worked in Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Ecuador, Mongolia, and the U.S.A. in the field of local economic development. More than 300 communities and businesses around the world have adopted his responsive, person-centered approaches to local economic development known as Enterprise Facilitation® - Tracie Regan
Tracie works with stakeholders across the training spectrum to understand the uses of technology in Australian Vocational Education and to investigate the implications of various innovative teaching strategies for the improvement of lifelong learning experiences. - Greg Nash
From career beginnings as a baker, Greg now lectures and researches at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where he empowers first year students to communicate with confidence. - Mary-Lou Stevens
Mary-Lou makes radio magic happen at ABC Coast FM, as a presenter and producer. All about telling stories, she has also penned a meditation memoir, which will be released in early 2013. - Pru Millear
Dr Millear has a wide range of research interests, around psychological development in adults and the choices they make about jobs and relationships. Underpinning these projects is the belief that each person is actively involved in constructing their own lives. - Robert Prestipino
Robert helps towns to be better places. By identifying trends in regional development, he proposes approaches that will make sure our children and grandchildren inherit a world worth living in. - Jasmine Crouch
As Head of Campus at Gympie’s Flexible Learning Centre, Jasmin is a visionary, a dreamer and a supporter of dreams and so is a mentor to many who share her dream that anything is achievable. - Tony Ryan
Tony is fascinated by learning. He fosters innovation through his presentations, books and leadership in education and organisational development. - Helen Fairweather
Helen thinks and works strategically for a better environmental future. An engineering academic, a political campaigner and an alternative energy advocate, she pursues innovation and sustainability. - matty-witney
Matty Witney is a dynamic performer with a penchant for the shimmering. His performances are soulful, grooving, and lyrically engaging, and they entwine elements of soul, jazz, folk, and r’n’b.