Kim Tyrer Young Business Person of the Year- Galafrey Wines Australian Wines

 I used to think people who took a prepared speech to awards nights were a bit up themselves.However I learnt a valuable lesson on Friday night. When the emotion takes over and you're not sure how to deal with all the attention it is good to have a backup plan of a prepared speech. Suddenly I was standing up there with a captured audience......what an opportunity......I could have said so much but ended up saying so little.
Last Friday night was the Albany Chamber and Commerce Industry Award. It's quite a big deal especially for those of us who participate. I think I spent 3+ days on putting my application together. Under the marquee it was a fun night out with dinner and drinks. However Albany turned on the charm and it was a chilly 12 degrees. Don't woory about the dress, I dressed for the weather! Black pant suit!


Galafrey Wines was runner up for the Great Southern Development Commission Export Award.
The Australian wine market has an 8% share of the global wine market. Galafrey Wines has been exporting for 20 years and with major markets in China and Japan. Export totals 21% of Galafrey Income. With the average value of Australian wine being sold to China at $4.30 per litre Galafrey's average value of $32 per litre shows value in focusing on the premium end of the market.
Galafrey won the Albany Port Authority Agribusiness Award.
At Galafrey Wines we recognise that we are an isolated rural business. We cannot rely on cellar door to provide our only income and with the domination of two retail changes our wholesale market is also getting smaller. We also have a small staff structure so our ability to "pound the pavement is limited." We see the internet as the future of our business. I have illustrated the importance and results of social media marketing and our website marketing via enewsletters
And on a personal note....I won the City of Albany Young Business Person of the Year Award. (I am told there was a bit of a standing ovation but who knows my head and eyes were on the ground as I shuffled up to the stage.) I was embarrassed, shy and a little overwhelmed. Here's what they said about me.....
She was born in Mt Barker 34 years ago at about the same time as her parents bought a property & planted a vineyard. She spent her early years in a pram, sharing the confined space with vine cuttings as her Mum paced up & down the rows planting more & more vines.
In 2003, her father was diagnosed with cancer and she came home to run the family business. Sadly her Dad passed on just three months later; so with no brothers or sisters, she was thrown into the deep end with a winery full of wine from a previous vintage, and a vineyard about to burst. She was only 26 years old.
Her day job is operations manager & part owner of a successful Mt Barker winery.
She has been has been an active member of the Mount Barker Wine Producers since 2003 & its President since 2005.
She is Chair of the annual Grapes & Gallops festival.
Was a Board member of GSRMA 04/07
Been involved with various organisations and events including Taste Great Southern, D'Vine Wine Festival, Mt Barker Turf Club, Country Arts WA, Regional Arts Advisory Panel,
Still has time for competitive sport having played both netball & basketball.
The 2012 ACCI City of Albany Young Business Person of the Year is Galafrey Wines Kim Tyrer.
Thank you to all who have supported me especially my hubby Nig, Mum Linda and our beautiful little boy Jack and as the great Forrest Gump said...." That's all I have to say about that!"