Bairnsdale’s Carlee Knight is a tireless worker for eliminating bullying and supporting good mental health, and she has just been named as a finalist in the prestigious Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards.
From thousands of entrants across the country, Carlee has made the finals in the Small Business Champion Woman Entrepreneur category, while her East Gippsland-based business, Bairnsdale Horse Centre, has been recognised for its excellence, selected as a finalist in the Community Service Small Business category.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has congratulated Carlee on her leadership, compassion, and enthusiasm for making positive change within her community, both personally and through small business.
“Carlee founded Bairnsdale Horse Centre in 1999 at just 18 years old, successfully operating the one-stop shop for all saddlery and equine supplies for more than 20 years,” he said.
“Bairnsdale Horse Centre has expanded its operations over time, today supplying custom horse-riding gear to schools, racehorse trainers, clubs, events, and individual horse riders and manufacturing its own Country Rippa and Capriole Custom range.
“Through her business, Carlee has played an extraordinary role in raising awareness about bullying not only in her community but worldwide in her work with Dolly’s Dream.”
Dolly’s Dream is a foundation set up by Northern Territory parents Kate and Tick Everett following the suicide death of their 14-year-old daughter Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett after ongoing bullying.
After hearing Dolly’s story, Carlee felt compelled to do something and help raise awareness of the devastating effects of bullying. Using the knowledge and skills honed over her many years in business, she began manufacturing today’s recognisable ‘Do It For Dolly’ merchandise.
“Over one year, Carlee raised more than $125,000 for Dolly’s Dream by selling iconic blue shirts embroidered with Dolly’s words, ‘Speak even if your voice shakes’,” Mr Chester said.
“Today, Bairnsdale Horse Centre is Dolly’s Dream’s official merchandise stockist, offering a wide range of clothing and accessories. Funds from the sale of any item in the extensive Dolly’s Dream merchandise range are donated to Dolly’s Dream to help end bullying and cyberbullying.
“Carlee continues to work to stamp out bullying and educate our community about mental wellbeing, frequently speaking at local events where she touches on her own experiences with mental health struggles and relays organisations that can provide help.”
