Some people turn hardship into something that helps others. Sallie Jones is one of those people. After losing her dad in the weeks leading up to the 2016 dairy crisis, her world changed overnight. At the same time, dairy farmer Steve Ronalds was unsure if he could continue farming at all. Out of those two difficult situations came a simple idea: create something fair, honest and kind.

That idea became Gippsland Jersey.

Over coffees and rough notes, Sallie and Steve built a company based on three clear values. Pay farmers fairly. Support mental health and suicide prevention in rural communities. Promote kindness in everything they do. Nine years on, those values are still at the heart of the business.

The journey has not been easy. Just 18 months in, their contract processor stopped handling their milk. Instead of walking away, Sallie turned to the community. A crowdfunding campaign helped them restore her dad’s old factory in Lakes Entrance so they could process their own milk. What could have been the end became a fresh start.

Today Gippsland Jersey has grown to include multiple farming families, new products, a larger team and even the purchase of Europa Cheese. Through every step, Sallie has stayed committed to fairness, community and care for the people who keep the dairy industry alive.

Her influence reaches far beyond milk. Sallie speaks openly about mental health, encourages connection in small communities and uses her platform to remind farmers that asking for help is a sign of strength. Kindness is not something she says. It is something she lives.

Sallie’s story is exactly what Australia’s Kindest Person exists to highlight. She has taken grief and turned it into purpose. She has built a business that lifts others up. She has shown that kindness can reshape an entire industry.

She didn’t just rebuild a dairy brand. She helped rebuild hope.