About us

Mike and Gayle are the hard working Aussies behind Outback Pride Fresh, pioneering modern cultivation of Australian native foods and directing respect back to the traditional Aboriginal knowledge of these unique fruits and herbs. Our aim has always been to create an identifiable Australian cuisine that not only Australia can be proud of but will also bring pride to the culture and traditions of indigenous people.

A cultural connection

Gayle Quarmby's dad was Rex Battarbee, a watercolour artist who mentored Albert Namatjira and his kin, forming the beginnings of the Aboriginal Art Industry.

Gayle fondly remembers gathering bush food with the women and children of the Eastern Arrente as a child, discovering unique flavours and traditional knowledge at a young age while growing up in the Alice Springs area.

The distinctive flavours and concentrated nutrients of Australian native food have traditionally only been available by means of such foraging. With the Outback Pride Project, Gayle and Mike - a gifted horticulturalist - have spent over a decade connecting with remote indigenous communities and passionately creating a foundation for the commercial development of the Australian native food industry.

Click on the following images to read more about our story, Reedy Creek Nursery, the communities we've worked with and the Namatjira connection. You will find more stories, video and radio check on the the media page, and have a look at our testimonials for quotes from top chefs.