Robert Pekin is the CEO & co-founder of Food Connect, the self-described ‘systems enterprise’ in Brisbane. You might remember Rob from episode 28 with his brilliant partner Emma-Kate Rose, when we talked at length about their back-story and their soon to be successful $2m equity crowd fund. And from episode 88 last year, with Kungalu and Birri-Gubba Woman Gaala Watson, on an imminent native grains - and milling - breakthrough, and a transformation in governance led by First Nations.

When I was in Brisbane for Convergence recently, I dropped in for an update. Rob walked me around this old industrial property as it further transforms into Australia’s first multi-function Food Hub, now hosting over 40 enterprises - each outstanding stories in their own right.

This was a quick visit. I’d just recorded with mutual friend Amanda Cahill for what became episode 134, and cycled up to the Shed for a look and some lunch together. I wasn’t going to record this, but as I was being blown away all over again by Rob, alongside Chair of the Food Connect Foundation, Wiradjuri man from Dubbo NSW, Uncle Kel O’Neil, I had to pull out the recorder and share some of it with you.

So join us at the Shed, for the conclusion to our Queensland series, and more beginnings for Food Connect. This conversation was recorded on 14 July 2022.

Title slide image: Rob Pekin (bottom) and Uncle Kel O’Neill (top) against the backdrop of the Food Connect Shed (pics sourced from their websites).

Music:
Regeneration, composed by Amelia Barden, from the soundtrack of the new film Regenerating Australia, available for community screenings now.

Find more:
Food Connect Shed.

Food Connect Foundation.

Hear my previous conversations with Rob, with Emma-Kate Rose in episode 28, and Gaala Watson in episode 88.

Read a transcript of our conversation including time stamps on the episode web page.

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