There’s a new local at the helm of the Coonawarra Vignerons, with Penola’s Kate Palm appointed as the group’s Events and Marketing Officer.

Ms Palm, pictured below, has taken over the integral role from Heidi Eldridge and said it was an exciting opportunity that did not come up often in regional areas.

“I think it’s going to be quite a challenging role but one that I’m going to constantly learn a lot from,” she said.

“I have many years’ experience in the events industry both large and small scale, so to be able to apply what I have learnt for our wine region was certainly a draw card for me.”

Ms Palm grew up in Penola and has been very involved with the community over the years.

She represented Penola-Coonawarra in Swinging with the Stars last year which included lots of fundraising events within the area, she is coaching for the Penola Netball Club and is on the committee and has worked at Coonawarra wineries.

Ms Palm said her responsibilities included the promotion and marketing of the region and wineries and organising events such as the Coonawarra Vignerons Cup, Cellar Dwellers, Coonawarra Roadshow and Cabernet Month.

“It’s a multi-faceted role, so seeing everything come to life from the early stages to the finished product when the visitors come to town to experience it, it is really rewarding,” she said.

“And the hard work you put in behind the scenes working with all the wineries and committees and pulling together all the programs for events.”

Ms Palm said it would be great to see people back in the region for events after a quiet two years due to COVID-19.

“This year we’re really hoping that we’re going to have a bit more free rein in terms of visitation, especially with Victorians back,” she said.

“I feel like it’s going to be an exciting year for Coonawarra.

“All we can do is be positive and optimistic that things are going to be a lot better this year and we will have that normality we have all been waiting a long time for.”