Mother of three, farmer and businesswoman, Claire Morgan is making her mark on Rupanyup. She’s giving people more reasons to visit this country town located on the great Silo Art Trail.
With seemingly boundless energy, Claire is driven by the mantra, ‘participate in change; inspire others’. It’s Claire’s initiatives to add value to what’s grown on her farm and showcase local produce that’s creating new connections with visitors and locals alike.
Growing up on her family’s beef farm just outside of Traralgon, Claire learned the value of hard work and community. As the youngest of two brothers and twenty cousins, this self-confessed ‘baby of the family’ relishes the fact she had so many great people to look up to throughout her childhood.
“My family have been a strong influence in my life and style. With such a big family, I had a very social upbringing. I spent lots of time following Dad around the farm, cooking with Mum, pottering around the garden with Granny, and out camping with my cousins.”
A real people person, Claire is passionate about sharing the beauty of her country lifestyle with as many people as possible. Today, she is doing that and more.
Claire and husband David made the move to Rupanyup in 2009 to begin life on a cropping farm. As a young family with two sons and a baby on the way, it was a big move. But for this hardworking pair, Rupanyup was full of possibilities. Then, when Claire spotted an empty little cottage with a white picket fence in the heart of town, she knew it was the opportunity she had been waiting for.
In 2012, Claire got to work selecting her product range and opened the doors of her gift and homewares boutique, Rupanyup Living.
“Living and working on a farm can feel isolating, so I wanted to create a meeting place for people to come, have a coffee and cake, and shop locally. There wasn’t anything like it in town.”
It’s Claire’s passion for sourcing the very best lifestyle brands and creating a unique in store experience that sets Rupanyup Living apart. Her timeless style and eye for detail is evident in this beautiful collection of homewares, clothing, accessories and local produce.
When developing the range, Claire draws inspiration from the latest interior design trends and the great Australian landscape. But having a real understanding of her customers is key.
Claire takes the time to get to know each person that walks through her door, and prides herself on helping them find just the right accessory for their home or wardrobe. It makes shopping at Rupanyup Living a social affair. This is the perfect spot to catch up with friends, and enjoy the very best local produce and country style.
“I love meeting new people, bringing the community and visitors together, and supporting country style and flavour.”
Now in its 6th year, Claire is helping bring Rupanyup Living closer to even more Australians with the launch of her online store. Customers near and far can purchase from the quality range of products and gourmet hampers that are all hand selected by Claire.
Always on the go, Claire is also heavily involved in the promotion of locally grown pulses. Initiatives to encourage Rupanyup farmers to appreciate what they grow has seen local chickpeas and lentils become a permanent feature of the town’s pub menu.
But if you ask Claire, one of her greatest triumphs is her Brownie Mix. After receiving a sample of chickpea flour from Wimmera Grain Store, Claire was inspired to create something unique. The avid home cook spent months in the kitchen developing a decadent brownie mixture that uses local chickpea flour, which is naturally gluten free.
Rupanyup Living Chocolate Chunk Brownies are available in three flavours, including Original, Vanilla and Mint. Claire is currently busy in the kitchen mixing up something new, so keep an eye out for her next creation.
The delicious brownie mix can be purchased online, but nothing beats a trip to Rupanyup to sample them in store, meet Claire and enjoy the complete Rupanyup Living experience.
For enquiries email claire@rupanyupliving.com.au, phone 0407 885 993 or visit www.rupanyupliving.com.au
