2024 Women to Watch
This year we showcase over 80 South Australian women to watch throughout the year. From business, to careers, arts to science. This year’s selected women highlight the depth and diversity of the women in our state and also the vast array of opportunities to develop a business or career in South Australia. Find our more about our inaugural Women to Watch initiative here.
I am a passionate woman who give 110% in everything I do. I value being beneficial to my Community and will always help anyone in need
// Favourite inspirational quote
‘Never look down on someone unless you are helping them up’
// Let’s get to know you
I have worked in hospitality since my late teens, starting alongside my head chef father. I have owned & operated my own early childhood play cafe and also started the Gumeracha bakery in Septmeber 2021 and was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer 10 weeks after opening and subsequently sold it to have some treatment. In 2022, 2 weeks after finishing radiation treatment, a position in the big rocking horse cafe was advertised so I applied and got the job! It was a tough time dealing with radiation side affects (which can last months) and working in a fast paced environment with fatigue and ‘chemo brain’ but I got through it and approached the owners to see if they would consider selling to me and on June 30th 2023 my husband and I became the new owners of the big rocking horse in Gumeracha! We run the park together with our 3 daughters and 20 staff members who are like family!
// What is your goal or intention for the year ahead? And how are you going to achieve it?
My biggest goal is to so more upgrades within the animal park and bring in lots of tourism to the area, and really make this park even more iconic than what it is!
I hope to get more education about animals and share the knowledge with park visitors in an educational demonstration. Upgrading the animal park paths to be wheelchair and pram friendly so that everyone can enjoy our free roaming animals will be our biggest goal as there is approximately 2kms of path that is currently so run down and not wheelchair or pram friendly
// What are you most looking forward to in 2024?
I am looking forward to showcasing South Australian made items in the gift shop including authentic first nations items. Handmade in South Australia is one of my biggest passions and I have already started stocking amazing items from South Australian makers in the gift shop.
// What would being a 2024 Woman to Watch mean to you?
Being nominated was an honour in itself and gave me some extra strength to say all this exhaustion is worth it amongst my current health issues. I hope my story empowers other women to achieve what ever they want as life is unpredictable and we never know how long we have.
// What would you like to see for the future of South Australian women and girls?
I would love to see more SA women in business sharing and helping one another
Get in touch with Mell:
Website: www.thebigrockinghorse.com.au
Check out all of the incredible Women to Watch for 2024 here as their profiles are uploaded throughout the year.
To become an SA Woman Member, check out our Membership Options here.