From the factory floors of Queensland to the multicultural kitchens of suburban Australia, from digital entrepreneurs building empires from laptops to brands rooted in tradition, Australian Made Week 2025 reminds us that “local” is more than a label. It’s a mindset, a movement, and a mosaic of people, stories, and impact.
This week, we honour that spirit by spotlighting the founders, makers and thinkers who are redefining what it means to build something truly Australian.
Here’s how our readers, founders and experts across the country are reflecting on what Australian Made means to them and why it matters now more than ever.
Lorraine Gnanadickam, Founder of FoodSt
When Lorraine Gnanadickam launched FoodSt, she wasn’t just building a meal delivery service. She was creating a new kind of culinary marketplace, one where home cooks could become local heroes. Her platform connects Australians with meals that tell a story, the kind of food that doesn’t always feature in fine dining, but carries a lifetime of tradition. The meals come from accredited home cooks, many of whom are migrants, parents juggling caregiving and careers, or Australians who want to share their heritage through food. A Sri Lankan curry, a Hungarian goulash, a Persian stew, these dishes aren’t just about taste, they’re about identity, pride, and memory.
Lorraine believes Australian Made should include these stories. “This is the food people eat in homes across the country,” she says. “It deserves to be part of the Australian food story.” For her, it’s not just the ingredients that matter, but the people and traditions behind them. By creating a model where locals cook for locals, FoodSt is redefining what it means to be a producer in Australia. It’s not just about factories or farms, but about family kitchens, care, and cultural continuity. It’s a powerful reminder that Australian Made is as much about people as it is about product.
Alexandra Egan, Founder and CEO of Domino Effect Consulting
At Domino Effect Consulting, Alexandra Egan is helping reshape the way organisations think about their values. Her work centres on guiding businesses toward deeper commitments to equity, inclusion, and sustainability and she believes these values should be central to how we define Australian Made. With nearly 30% of Australians born overseas and hundreds of languages spoken across the country, Alexandra argues that we need a more expansive understanding of what local looks like. That’s why she’s championing the idea of “RESET,” a call to Reimagine Equity, Sustainability, Empowerment, and Trust as foundational values of what’s made here.
For Alexandra, Australian Made should reflect everyone who contributes to it. That includes migrants, Indigenous communities, women, and workers from every walk of life. “If we want the label to mean something,” she says, “it has to represent everyone: not just a stereotype of the past.” Through her consulting work, she is helping organisations align their internal practices with these broader values. That alignment, she believes, is the true test of whether something is authentically Australian Made.
James Chin Moody, CEO and Founder of Sendle
“Running a small business today is tougher than ever. From rising costs and global uncertainty, many are feeling the pressure. Being a founder myself, I know first-hand what it means to be backed by your local community. In fact, Sendle wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of small businesses across the country.
While supporting Australian Made starts by ensuring local companies get the first share of wallet, the next step is to invest in community-driven solutions to enable SMBs to thrive in the local market. That’s why we recently launched the Small Business Growth Fund to give entrepreneurs the tools and support they need to thrive, and ultimately power Australia’s future. In a competitive and fast-evolving economy, innovation and efficiency are essential. This fund is designed to help small businesses optimise, scale sustainably, and stay ahead. Australian Made Week is, undoubtedly, a perfect opportunity to celebrate and champion these businesses. However, the importance of supporting Australian Made goes beyond just one week. In fact, every single Australian Made choice, year-round, helps build the strong and resilient economy we all depend on.”
Laura Canham, Digital Entrepreneur and Business Consultant
Digital entrepreneur Laura Canham sees a huge blind spot in the Australian Made conversation. While physical products often get the spotlight, she argues that digital businesses: the freelancers, creators, coaches, and consultants are just as vital to the local economy. Her work involves helping Australians build location-independent income streams, and she’s seen the innovation and resilience that goes into these ventures. “Just because you can’t hold it doesn’t mean it’s not made here,” she says. Laura points out that many digital businesses are born from necessity and flexibility. They’re often founded by women returning to work, by people with disabilities seeking accessible income, or by young entrepreneurs who don’t have access to capital-heavy industries.
These businesses are lean, creative, and incredibly scalable. She believes that intellectual, emotional, and digital labour deserve recognition alongside traditional manufacturing. “We need to keep pace with how Australians are actually working today,” Laura says. “And a lot of that work is happening online, in bedrooms and cafes, not in warehouses.”
Kim Owen Jones, General Manager, SME Direct at MYOB
At MYOB, General Manager Kim Owen Jones is paying close attention to what the numbers are telling us about Australian consumer behaviour. And the message is clear: people are willing to spend more when they know a product is made locally and ethically. According to MYOB’s new research, nearly two-thirds of Australians, 61%, say they’re happy to pay a premium for Australian Made goods and services. Among Gen Z, the desire is even stronger, as younger consumers increasingly seek out brands that align with their ethics and values. “Today’s consumers don’t just want to know where something is made, they want to know how it’s made, and who’s behind it,” Kim explains. “Transparency, traceability, and trust are becoming just as important as price.”
For small businesses, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is making their values visible and verifiable. The opportunity lies in connecting with an audience that’s actively seeking meaning in their purchases. Kim believes that the more businesses invest in telling their own story, not just through labels but through their actions, the more they’ll benefit from this consumer shift. “It’s not enough to be made in Australia,” she says. “You need to represent the best of Australia too.”
Leanne Bawden, Founder & CEO, Wildly Grounded Co
Leanne Bawden says, “I don’t just coach mums in business, I help them rewrite the damn rulebook.” She’s passionate about building “high profit, life first businesses that don’t burn them out.” This approach creates a ripple effect, she explains, impacting “kids, families, schools and whole communities.” Leanne also shares her expertise with local nonprofits like Here’s to Strength, sits on the McLaren Vale Business & Tourism Association Committee, and actively supports local fundraising efforts. “I believe leadership isn’t just about what you build, it’s what you give back, too,” she adds.
When asked about what’s been game-changing for her business growth, Leanne jokes, “Can I say me?” She credits the power of connection with South Aussie women doing incredible things. “From creative collabs to biz besties, local masterminds and the power of a good coffee chat, this community is next level,” she says. “I’m all about connection over competition.
“Whether it’s a brainstorm over wine, a collab at a local café, or shouting out another mum in biz on socials, I back women who back themselves. I’m not just helping women build businesses. I’m helping them build lives that feel like freedom, the Aussie way”
Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
