Dearne Acland’s Hen Pen recognised in national awards

A mum from regional Qld has been recognised nationally for her triumphant efforts to provide women with independence and practical skills, recruiting almost 7000 members.

Dearne Acland is one of five finalists from 2500 applicants vying for the 2023 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards.​

A mother from Townsville has been recognised nationally for her triumphant efforts to provide women with independence and practical skills, recruiting nearly 7000 members.

Dearne Acland is one of five finalists from 2500 applicants in the running for the 2023 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards.

She set her sights on breaking out of her comfort zone in January 2022, after relocating to Nanango with her two children in a 5.8m caravan.

Miss Acland arrived in Nanango as a single mother but has since met her partner Clint, they parent their four children together.

The 38-year-old said she started her business, Hen Pen, in 2019 when she saw the need for women to learn unique practical experiences, not often offered to them.

“I met lots of new friends after moving to Nanango, as many started off as clients of my eyelash business, Lashes by Dee,” Miss Acland said.

The activities at Hen Pen range from tyre maintenance and firearm safety to clay shooting and power tool demonstrations.

“Activities Hen Pen teaches women range from tyre maintenance and firearm safety, to clay shooting and power tool demos,” she said.

“The group now has 6500 members from the South Burnett and Townsville.”

Miss Acland said her mission was to focus on teaching useful skills while boosting women’s confidence and independence.

“We hold space for fun activities too, it’s not all extreme,” she said.

“We've done zip lining, macramé, boat licensing, motorbike licences and one person per month completes their dump truck ticketing if they’re wanting to go to the mines.”

Hen Pen prides itself as a low cost or no cost to join, with many of the classes conducted by other businesses that donate their time to teach.

Dearne Acland teaches women how to connect and reverse trailers.

Miss Acland said she accepted the achievement of becoming a finalist on behalf of every woman who was part of Hen Pen.

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“Hen Pen is my passion project and I put all I can into it. I’d like to thank everyone in the group who has made it what is,” she said.

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“If we win this award it will showcase every woman who has become involved and shine a light on the South Burnett and Townsville for supporting women in business,” she said.