BREE-ANNE Pagonis, of Somerville, has won the Luminary Tech Visionary Award in the 2021 Victorian Young Achiever Awards.
The award recognises her “vision in creating an accessible platform that enhances food experiences for women”.
Ms Pagonis co-founded WIRL (Wellness in Real Life), a social enterprise that holds workshops and cooking classes, provides online tools, offers corporate programs, virtual masterclasses and coaching, school courses and keynote speaking.
WIRL is creating an app that aims to help women create beneficial behaviours, such as mindful eating, takes the emphasis away from worrying about calories or weight loss, into a more intuitive style of eating that has positive physical and mental health outcomes. For example, the app will prompt changes in behaviours, such as reminding users to tune into how hungry or full they are feeling before, during and after eating.
As a social enterprise, WIRL donates part of its sales income to The Hunger Project Australia.
Ms Pagonis was presented with her award at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, Friday 16 April. Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Despi O’Connor, who attended the event, will present Ms Pagonis with a mayoral commendation at the 19 May council meeting.