Fern & Gum: Caroline Shelbourne
“The business is completely about celebrating the Otway’s region, which merges with the Surf Coast and Great Ocean Road.
As we all know, it is a stunning area with such diversity. There are so many incredible people producing fantastic products. I’ve always loved wrapping gifts and it seemed like a great way to give small business a go and to support local artisans”
Fern and Gum, Otway Hampers, are a collection of thoughtfully curated gift boxes that showcase the incredible producers of the Otway region. Beautifully presented, with a sustainable focus, the gift boxes are designed for sharing and celebrating.
The concept of an Otway Hamper business came to Caroline Shelbourne, when Christmas gift shopping at her local corner shop, The Store in Deans Marsh.
“As I gathered the items for teacher’s thank-you’s and friend and family Christmas gifts, the idea bloomed and we sent our first hamper just before Christmas 2019.”
Along with her husband and 2 children, they have called Deans Marsh home for 10 years. When her youngest was about to start school, she wanted to return to work, in a role that would give flexibility with school hours. With a background in Business and Marketing and the encouragement of her husband, she established Fern and Gum.
“Our business is based on a small farm on the edge of Deans Marsh, between Winchelsea and Lorne. I am a Mum to two lively little girls 7 & 5 years and we have a large number of animals but mostly horses. So, there is never a dull moment. My husband is a horse dentist and we run the farm and his business together. In between, I help out a couple of local businesses with marketing support and now I also get to gather up lots of local produce and send gifts to people, which I love!”
Caroline now collaborates with over 30 Otway producers, with the list constantly growing. Online you can buy a range of different hampers, with categories that include Shop for Dad, Shop for Dinner and Shop for Sweets.
As a result of COVID, the business has seen a spike in sales of the Dinner Hampers, which have often been sent out with a note from a parent, friend or boss with “dinner is on me!”.
What are the advantages of doing business on the Surf Coast?
“I think the greatest thing is the like-minded people who live here. Everyone I speak to, and work with is so willing to collaborate and share ideas. It such a positive region and I think we all love where we live and want to share it with everyone.”
One thing that might surprise you...
“We are trying to be as light footed as we can, with all that we do. Our ambition is to be completely sustainable so we choose environmentally friendly materials or items that can be reused. Our hamper boxes are particularly sturdy, so the idea is that they can be reused for storage, such as letters, paperwork, socks, shoes, anything that needs sorting. We have more ideas in the pipeline too which we can’t wait to implement. This year has just gone way too quickly!”
SHOP Fern & Gum
Browse their collection of ready-to-send gifts and hampers at www.fernandgum.com.au
