The RegenNarration 88. A Native Grains & Native Mills Resurgence, Part 1: Gaala Watson & Rob Pekin on custodial enterprise
You might remember Robert Pekin (with his partner Emma-Kate Rose) from episode 28. Rob’s the founder of Food Connect, the trailblazing social enterprise and legendary community food hub in Brisbane. Since then, plenty has happened at Food Connect. The $2m equity crowd-fund – an Australian first - was successful. And Gaala Watson, a Kungalu and Birri-Gubba Woman born and raised in Brisbane, came on board as Chair of the Food Connect Foundation.
That convergence of people, skills and cultures is bringing about a revolutionary addition to their set up, thanks to a serendipitous chain of events deep and wide across Country. That included connections with local elders, the native grains off Bruce Pascoe’s farm, a young farming couple in NSW who wondered if they could build the first Australian mill in who knows how long, and this podcast.
Back in episode 28, Rob and Emma-Kate talked about being a ‘systems enterprise’ more than a social enterprise – aiming to change the inter-related food, farming and economic systems, along with the cultural stories underpinning how we organise those systems. Now Food Connect is starting to flip capital from an ownership to a custodial model. This lands squarely in Gaala’s wheelhouse – where social enterprise aligns with Aboriginal systems of governance. And where this particular enterprise aligns with an enduring vision stemming from her father.
Title slide: Gaala Watson (off the Food Connect Foundation website) (Rob Pekin is featured in the title slide in the Extra to this episode).
This conversation was recorded on Friday 25 June 2021.
Music:
The System, by the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra.
Find more:
Tune into the 10 minute Extra to this episode, where Rob and I continue on a little after Gaala left.
Food Connect Foundation
Food Connect enterprise
Woodstock Flour on Instagram
Hear Rob and partner Emma-Kate together on episode 28
And my conversation with Mark Taylor at Miller & Baker on episode 69.
The RegenNarration is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.
Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community and some exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find my writing).
You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.
I hope to see you at an event, and even The RegenNarration shop. And thanks for sharing with friends!