DORIANA MANGILI
After a distinguished career as a Business Analyst in financial services across Australia and the UK, Doriana has found her true calling to the lush green banana palms of Carnarvon, Western Australia.
In 2005, drawn by the cooperative ethos and the allure of family farming, Doriana made the bold decision to transition to banana farming with the Sweeter Banana Co-Operative.
"Returning to Western Australia was a homecoming for me, both personally and professionally," reflects Doriana, enthusiastically.
Beyond her endeavors at Sweeter Banana, Doriana is a staunch advocate for local food and family farming.
As a member of the Gascoyne Food Council and the National Farming Together Program Industry Advisory Group, she tirelessly champions the produce of the Gascoyne region on a national stage.
From board member to marketer, and now serving as the Business Manager, Doriana's journey resilience and adaptability.
"Growing bananas on the cusp of the desert presented its challenges," she admits, "but our greatest task was ensuring fair compensation for our produce."
Doriana's tenure at Sweeter Banana has been characterised by her relentless pursuit of differentiation and. "We've shattered the notion that our smaller bananas are a lesser product " she asserts.
"We've proven that bigger isn’t always better, and flavour trumps appearance,"
"Through strategic marketing, organisational innovation, and sheer determination, we've secured a premium price for our sub-tropical bananas."
"We've proven that bigger isn’t always better, and flavour trumps appearance," Doriana adds with a smile, her passion for quality produce evident.
"By empowering consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, we've disrupted the status quo and elevated Carnarvon bananas to a league of their own."
But Sweeter Banana's ambitions extend far beyond the realm of traditional farming. The Co-Op has ventured deeper into the supply chain, forging partnerships with retail outlets, local food manufacturers, and farmers' markets.
"We're not just growers; we're innovators," Doriana states. "By diversifying our market reach and investing in value-added initiatives, we're ensuring the long-term sustainability of our industry."
As Sweeter Banana embarks on its next chapter, with plans to construct a ripening and freezing facility to further enhance its value-added capabilities, Doriana remains an unwavering advocate for the power of cooperation and collaboration.
"Innovation is at the heart of everything we do," Doriana concludes, her gaze fixed on the horizon of possibility. "As we continue to push boundaries and challenge norms, I'm confident that the future of Carnarvon's banana industry is brighter than ever."