Annie Brownjohn

When it comes to building strong and vibrant rural and regional communities, Senator Nash believes small businesses are the key to expanding growth and creating opportunity in local centres. "Small businesses lie at the heart of a robust local community," Senator Nash said. "Regardless of the size, small businesses boost the local economy - creating jobs and providing products and services at a local level - ensuring strong growth and at the same time boosting the appeal of the area to prospective residents." One such business doing just that is Ozganics. Founded by Anni Brownjohn, the organic food company located at Murwillumbah has gone from strength to strength. "It all started when I began making organic products in my kitchen," Anni commented. "Since then, we have established a manufacturing facility, employing local people and producing a high quality product. "Currently, we employ a group of people with plans to expand in the near future to keep up with the ever-increasing demand." And if necessity is the mother of invention, the success of Ozganics certainly proves there was a need for natural food products in the Australian market place and beyond. "People today are becoming more and more health conscious," Anni observes. "Part of this new awareness is the realisation of just how important a diet rich in natural foods is to improving health and wellbeing." Ozganics has expanded beyond the domestic market-place, exporting to a number of areas including Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, and was recently awarded the 'Best New Product' award at the 2005 QLD Regional Produce Expo. Senator Nash said the achievements of Ozganics to-date serves as a shining example for other business owners of the potential that awaits innovative ideas. "I first met Anni at the Tweed Austrade expo which showcased many similar businesses which, with the assistance of the Howard-Vaile Government's Austrade agency, have identified a niche export market and seized the opportunity for growth - which is typical of the enterprising spirit of Australian small business."

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