Boag’s turns 140!

Local producer Chris de Bono’s successful transition from the Royal Australian with the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Entrepreneur of the Year

As the co-owner of Meru Foods with his wife Meagan, Chris produces innovative Asian fermented food products, including Miso and Umami and has quickly found success in both the domestic and international markets.

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer first met Chris and Meagan in October 2020, undertaking a tour of their St Leonards factory.

“Mr de Bono is an outstanding example of an entrepreneurial and dedicated individual who is leading the way in private business,” Mrs Archer said.

For Chris, the award recognises the challenges that Veterans face when they transition from military to civilian employment and helps to shine a light on the many skills and attributes that Veterans can bring to a workplace.

“Winning this award is an honour and was certainly unexpected, particularly noting the strength of the other entrants,” Mr de Bono said.

“Transitioning from military employment to civilian employment can be quite challenging and one of the biggest hurdles is being able to explain to potential employers how your skills and attributes can benefit them - for example, how do you convince an interviewer that as a navigator you are good at stakeholder management and customer service?

“Navigators still have customers and still have stakeholders, but they look very different to what you might find in a ‘normal’ job. Choosing the Entrepreneurial path is more difficult again but on the flip side, military training has ingrained in me a can-do attitude, a thirst for problem solving and a strong process mindset.

“On a personal level, I am extremely proud of everything I have been able to achieve since leaving the military and this award is an acknowledgement of those achievements.” Meru foods will soon be launching a line of Mirin and Tamari products. For more information visit www.merufoods.com