What do you think?
Rate this book
A Repurposed Life
'From the founder of OzHarvest, an ebullient, generous memoir with an exhilarating message.' ANNABEL CRABB 'Brimming with energy, altruism and refreshing candour' QUENTIN BRYCE 'The inspiring story of a woman with a big heart who dared to make a difference. This is a must-read book. I couldn't put it down.' ITA BUTTROSE 'Ronni Kahn is a force of nature. She has taught so many of us about the importance of embracing community and compassion through offering and sharing our food to those most vulnerable in our society.' KYLIE KWONG 'You don't get used to living permanently behind the eight ball - no matter how long you've done it, it doesn't get easier. There's a constant sense of shame that eats away at you, making you feel that you're just not good enough. Some people are so poor that they can't even afford to feel shame. Ronni Kahn, through her work with OzHarvest, does the very thing that offers hope to those in the poverty restore dignity and remove shame. This is her story.' JIMMY BARNES Life throws us mysterious ingredients. If we are brave enough to put the recipe aside and experiment, it's right there that things get interesting. As the owner of a successful events company, throwing away huge volumes of leftover food at the end of the day came with the territory. But when Ronni Kahn hit midlife, she found herself no longer able to turn a blind eye to her food waste problem. Hand delivering the untouched food to homeless shelters around Sydney became her renegade solution. Little did she know that fixing her small problem at work would lead her to unlock a hidden purpose at the very core of her inner life. Now founder and CEO of the food rescue organisation OzHarvest, Ronni leads hundreds of staff and thousands of volunteers with the goal to nourish Australia. She serves in an advisory capacity to government and is an instrumental leader in changing federal laws to improve social justice and environmental policies. A Repurposed Life is the story of how Ronni found her voice, her heart and her deepest calling. From her early years growing up under the brutal system of apartheid South Africa, to a socialist commune in Israel, Ronni finally settled in Australia to discover a profound new way of living. Shared with the humour, warmth and energy that have made her an internationally renowned keynote speaker, this heartfelt exploration of the choices that define us will speak to anyone seeking a more passionate expression of being alive.
288 pages, Paperback
Published February 4, 2021
31 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
May 25, 2021
Ronnie Kahn is without doubt an incredible resourceful woman who has given back so much to the community. From South Africa to Israel to Australia she has forged a life of giving - not without mistakes or hardships. It’s a great story - I actually listened to her being interviewed years ago and that drew me to read her story. The book however was a let down - nothing at all wrong with her story but the book felt like it needed a good edit, jumped around a bit and sometimes felt a bit preachy which is not how she comes across in person when being interviewed. From a reading perspective it’s a 2 star - it’s ok - from me. But Ronnie is a 5 star person who overcomes obstacles and shines a light on how much work it takes to help the vulnerable in our world.
December 18, 2020
Ronni's life is incredibly interesting and she's worked for an amazing cause. I wasn't super set on her writing style, there was some stuff that could have been cut, and structurally it was a bit all over the place. However, I think it captured her voice really well, I was engaged, and there are some great messages scattered throughout the book (although I didn't like the explicitly preachy bits). Overall, a pretty good read.
May 25, 2021
The youngest of three daughters, Ronni Kahn was born in South Africa during apartheid. Her parents had hoped for a son who they would call Ronni, but when she unexpectedly arrived on the scene, they used the name anyway. In her Jewish household, the family spoke English, Afrikaans and Yiddish. During her childhood, she saw the horrors of racial segregation and deprivation. In early adulthood, she moved to a kibbutz in Israel and lived there for many years with her husband and sons. Here she experienced a different culture, where no one owned anything and all work and rewards were shared. When she moved to Australia, she started a boutique events management company that catered to the top end of town. At the end of these events, there was always good quality food left over and she hated the waste. Very early one morning, immediately after an event, she drove to a local charity and offered them the food. She continued to donate food to charities, while also continuing to live the life of a successful and financially secure woman, but something was missing. She never forgot her early years, and a life of sharing in early adulthood. Brimming with enthusiasm, drive and generosity she founded OzHarvest to fight food waste and feed nutritious and good quality food to people in need. Since 2004, OzHarvest has grown to become Australia’s leading food rescue organisation. Instead of surplus food ending up in landfill, OzHarvest trucks collect otherwise unwanted food from supermarkets and businesses and delivers them to charities to feed people who may otherwise go without a meal. Truly a life with purpose, and an inspiring and enjoyable read.
January 28, 2025
Some fabulous insights into how this powerhouse of a woman created OzHarvest - one of the best movements ever - redirecting food waste.
I was sobbing during some of the chapters. A testament to all kinds of people selflessly supporting others who are less fortunate.
This memoir also serves as a book of life wisdom :
"For me, the minute you start doing anything in your life with the intention of noticing people - especially those right in front of you - and of applying the principles of kindness, gratitude and generosity, that's when all these things fall into place. That is the stuff of bliss." (p 288)
"Life is rarely a tried and tested recipe. It takes courage to work with unknown ingredients." (p289)
Thank you Ronni <3
I was sobbing during some of the chapters. A testament to all kinds of people selflessly supporting others who are less fortunate.
This memoir also serves as a book of life wisdom :
"For me, the minute you start doing anything in your life with the intention of noticing people - especially those right in front of you - and of applying the principles of kindness, gratitude and generosity, that's when all these things fall into place. That is the stuff of bliss." (p 288)
"Life is rarely a tried and tested recipe. It takes courage to work with unknown ingredients." (p289)
Thank you Ronni <3
December 13, 2020
Lisa bookclub 2021
February 26, 2021
What an inspirational woman! I was almost exhausted just reading about everything Ronni gets done and the speed and energy she expends to do it. She found a niche market that was very much needed but not realised and she has done so much to try to resolve two big social issues - food wastage and nourishing people who need a hand.
January 9, 2024
What an absolutely amazing woman. She can do anything it seems...almost! Sadly I found this book tedious and repetitive and wish she had asked someone else to write it. There's so much good wisdom in there but it just gets lost, repeated and drowned. Her life story, so far, is very interesting and it deserves to be told in a meaningful way. Thanks for your contribution to a better world Ronni.
November 27, 2020
Some people live their lives and others are simply passive observers. Ronni Kahn is not a passive observer.
From Apartheid divided South Africa, to a kibbutz and worn torn Israel, to Australia, Ronni Kahn talks about her life and her need to serve.
I enjoyed how honest Ronni was in this memoir. She made mistakes (personally and professionally) and she told you. It was bloody hard work and she told you. She had legions of helpers, advisers and consultants, and she tells you. She does not lay claim to being the sole provider of this service, she acknowledges those who have helped to create OzHarvest and she discusses the time spent, failures and successes with such love.
She doesn’t only discuss her professional achievements; she gives insight into her personal relationships and this gives contrast to her success. I love your grey hair Ronni, don’t change it. I probably don’t need to tell you not to change it, but I think it makes a statement.
Ronni has worked (along with her helpers being the down-trodden, “every-day” people, to famous chefs, to legal eagles) hard to provide a service to not only repurpose food “waste” but to give people in need a level of dignity that they might otherwise not feel.
Honestly, it can be quite confronting when listening to her story to feel as though you offer so little to those around you, let alone to the wider community, but I can’t help and feel grateful that there are people like her willing to be pushy and to strive for better out there.
From Apartheid divided South Africa, to a kibbutz and worn torn Israel, to Australia, Ronni Kahn talks about her life and her need to serve.
I enjoyed how honest Ronni was in this memoir. She made mistakes (personally and professionally) and she told you. It was bloody hard work and she told you. She had legions of helpers, advisers and consultants, and she tells you. She does not lay claim to being the sole provider of this service, she acknowledges those who have helped to create OzHarvest and she discusses the time spent, failures and successes with such love.
She doesn’t only discuss her professional achievements; she gives insight into her personal relationships and this gives contrast to her success. I love your grey hair Ronni, don’t change it. I probably don’t need to tell you not to change it, but I think it makes a statement.
Ronni has worked (along with her helpers being the down-trodden, “every-day” people, to famous chefs, to legal eagles) hard to provide a service to not only repurpose food “waste” but to give people in need a level of dignity that they might otherwise not feel.
Honestly, it can be quite confronting when listening to her story to feel as though you offer so little to those around you, let alone to the wider community, but I can’t help and feel grateful that there are people like her willing to be pushy and to strive for better out there.
January 17, 2021
Ah, Ronni Kahn, what a woman!!
She went from living a very sheltered life in South Africa, to living on a Kibbutz in Israel and then immigrating to Australia. Along the way she had a couple of lovely sons, several significant relationships and some amazing businesses. She was well and truly an entrepreneur at a time when that wasn't really a thing, and an all-round amazing person, clearly.
I can't believe the work ethic and energy that this lady must have. She is so right; of COURSE food waste is terrible and any sane person would recognise that putting food in the bin just because it is surplus to requirements whilst others are going hungry is crazy! Unlike most of the rest of us, she decided to do something about it.
Fascinating reading how OzHarvest came to be and I love that Ronni doesn't shy away from admitting that she is more of a "fly by the seat of her pants" kind of person than someone with a careful plan and a suitcase full of money.
I also love that she has such a big heart and she encourages so many others to follow a path of kindness and sharing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her various mentors and others who are very important to her; Major Harmer, I take my hat off to you!
All in all, this is an inspiring read and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
She went from living a very sheltered life in South Africa, to living on a Kibbutz in Israel and then immigrating to Australia. Along the way she had a couple of lovely sons, several significant relationships and some amazing businesses. She was well and truly an entrepreneur at a time when that wasn't really a thing, and an all-round amazing person, clearly.
I can't believe the work ethic and energy that this lady must have. She is so right; of COURSE food waste is terrible and any sane person would recognise that putting food in the bin just because it is surplus to requirements whilst others are going hungry is crazy! Unlike most of the rest of us, she decided to do something about it.
Fascinating reading how OzHarvest came to be and I love that Ronni doesn't shy away from admitting that she is more of a "fly by the seat of her pants" kind of person than someone with a careful plan and a suitcase full of money.
I also love that she has such a big heart and she encourages so many others to follow a path of kindness and sharing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her various mentors and others who are very important to her; Major Harmer, I take my hat off to you!
All in all, this is an inspiring read and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
June 19, 2024
Although I admire all that she has achieved with OzHarvest, I could not get in to her retelling of events.
As the owner of a successful events company, throwing away huge volumes of leftover food at the end of the day came with the territory. But when Ronni Kahn hit midlife, she found herself no longer able to turn a blind eye to her food waste problem. Hand delivering the untouched food to homeless shelters around Sydney became her renegade solution. Little did she know that fixing her small problem at work would lead her to unlock a hidden purpose at the very core of her inner life. Now founder and CEO of the food rescue organisation OzHarvest, Ronni leads hundreds of staff and thousands of volunteers with the goal to nourish Australia. She serves in an advisory capacity to government and is an instrumental leader in changing federal laws to improve social justice and environmental policies.A Repurposed Life is the story of how Ronni found her voice, her heart and her deepest calling. From her early years growing up under the brutal system of apartheid South Africa, to a socialist commune in Israel, Ronni finally settled in Australia to discover a profound new way of living.
As the owner of a successful events company, throwing away huge volumes of leftover food at the end of the day came with the territory. But when Ronni Kahn hit midlife, she found herself no longer able to turn a blind eye to her food waste problem. Hand delivering the untouched food to homeless shelters around Sydney became her renegade solution. Little did she know that fixing her small problem at work would lead her to unlock a hidden purpose at the very core of her inner life. Now founder and CEO of the food rescue organisation OzHarvest, Ronni leads hundreds of staff and thousands of volunteers with the goal to nourish Australia. She serves in an advisory capacity to government and is an instrumental leader in changing federal laws to improve social justice and environmental policies.A Repurposed Life is the story of how Ronni found her voice, her heart and her deepest calling. From her early years growing up under the brutal system of apartheid South Africa, to a socialist commune in Israel, Ronni finally settled in Australia to discover a profound new way of living.
February 17, 2021
Ronni Kahn has been the driving force in the development of the charity OzHarvest, an Australian food distribution organisation that matches needs for food with businesses that have surplus food to spare. I found her life story an inspiring read; she obviously has a great joy in everything she does and her wonderful organisation is a great credit to her.
I found the sections on her faith journey very interesting, she has met and learnt from a diverse range of people and is open and welcoming to learning from them. She mentions many people who have met her and joined her cause, and this is another interesting feature of her ongoing success. She seems to be an inspiring person doing an amazing job.
I found the sections on her faith journey very interesting, she has met and learnt from a diverse range of people and is open and welcoming to learning from them. She mentions many people who have met her and joined her cause, and this is another interesting feature of her ongoing success. She seems to be an inspiring person doing an amazing job.
November 22, 2020
I loved this and read it in a few sittings after buying it a week ago. It’s mandatory reading for anyone wishing to live a life of purpose. Written with honesty and the innocence (which is a breath of fresh air) of someone who lives life on their own terms. This book is for you if you’re starting to question if you’re living a life that’s truly aligned to your values or aligned with who you’re becoming or would like to become and looking for guidance on how to get back on your path. There’s so much wisdom in this read about the importance of really listening to what is within. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!
January 13, 2021
I’m so glad this book found me, it was the best possible book to start 2021 with.
I could feel the passion and energy of Ronni through every page of this book. What a wonderful, inspiring person. I had heard of OzHarvest and what they do but had no idea of just how huge and amazing they are.
This book really helps each one of us who has said:
It’s too hard
I don’t have time
I don’t have the money
I can t make any difference myself
I don’t know where to start
Really really think and realise that we CAN all act in ways, daily, that make huge difference.
Thank you Ronni for inspiring me and gently telling me to stop making excuses.
I could feel the passion and energy of Ronni through every page of this book. What a wonderful, inspiring person. I had heard of OzHarvest and what they do but had no idea of just how huge and amazing they are.
This book really helps each one of us who has said:
It’s too hard
I don’t have time
I don’t have the money
I can t make any difference myself
I don’t know where to start
Really really think and realise that we CAN all act in ways, daily, that make huge difference.
Thank you Ronni for inspiring me and gently telling me to stop making excuses.
December 26, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book, it captured me straight from the start. I thought it was so interesting to read about South Africa and what it was like many years ago with racism and also the culture in Israel. Perhaps I loved this book so much because I feel like I can relate to the Ronni as finding a purpose in life is something I am always thinking about. Also, sustainability is always a concern of mine and I loved to read about surplus food being put to good use. Ronni really is an amazing woman and role model. I highly recommend this book.
February 6, 2021
A profound book, of wisdom, generosity, humility and just a massive heart. The thoughts, ideas and messages this book left me with will continue to grow in me, I am sure.
The story of Ronni’s life was written in such a honest and open way, it gave so much insight into different cultures and people. I especially enjoyed reading the stories of the lives she and ozharvest has helped and would love to hear more of these stories. It is written with such thoughtfulness that I am so grateful that she shared it with us all.
The story of Ronni’s life was written in such a honest and open way, it gave so much insight into different cultures and people. I especially enjoyed reading the stories of the lives she and ozharvest has helped and would love to hear more of these stories. It is written with such thoughtfulness that I am so grateful that she shared it with us all.
April 12, 2022
The life story of Ronnie Kahn who founded Oz Harvest. She grew up in Apartheid South Africa, moved to Israel to start a new life in a Kibbutz at 17 years old and subsequently married and had two children whilst living there. she started her career off as a florist and then transitioned to even management. During this time working on these lavish event, she came to notice that so much food was being wasted and set out on a mission to do something about it and thus founded Oz Harvest.
True story of passion, determination, commitment and self-belief.
True story of passion, determination, commitment and self-belief.
December 18, 2022
As a Sydneysider, I was familiar with Ozharvest and its founder. Great to read her back story and how her life led her to the point of starting Ozharvest. Also interesting to read more about her personal characteristics - not really a planner or a ppt user!, and her learning curve in philanthropy and governance. I loved that she started Ozharvest in her early 50s.
There are lots of inspiring messages, but I would have liked more examples like the "tennis strings" lady she mentored.
There was a sad outcome of going silver (in hair colour), but in the context of poor choices in blokes.
There are lots of inspiring messages, but I would have liked more examples like the "tennis strings" lady she mentored.
There was a sad outcome of going silver (in hair colour), but in the context of poor choices in blokes.
January 18, 2023
Ronni is an ordinary person doing extraordinary things & making the world a better place for those who need it the most along the way. Her interesting life experiences are different from from SA to Israel and then Australia. The wonderful characters whether family, friends or acquaintances she meets along the way are also essential to her story! Ronni is a strong female role model and an older Australian which I find so inspiring! Her passion and love for Oz Harvest has never waned over the years and she keeps finding ways to improve it to help vulnerable members in society. Worth reading:)
November 14, 2020
This memoir is an inspirational read and highly recommended. Ronni's life began in South Africa. As a teenager she moved to Israel where she lived in a Kibbutz for some years before moving to Australia. She established a successful event business. It was at one such event that she decided to do something about the wastage of food and established the enormously successful OzHarvest. If you ever thought one person couldn't make much of a difference, this book will change your mind.
November 11, 2025
I had the pleasure to meet Ronni at a work event where she spoke about her cause , her why and a little about herself. Its where I bought the book. I feel this helped me connect with the book as I had her voice in my head while read. This is my first auto biography I've read, so it is different to my fiction books.
Overall I really enjoyed the book, Ronni has led an interesting life and a lot of food for thought to reflect on and what I want to leave behind.
Overall I really enjoyed the book, Ronni has led an interesting life and a lot of food for thought to reflect on and what I want to leave behind.
October 23, 2020
Adore her charity, achievements, passion and drive but this is a very badly written book. It is like a scatter brain of thoughts to fill up each chapter, jumps from one to another. At the end, excruciating reading.
November 6, 2020
I listened to the audiobook and at times I felt I was losing interest but Ronni’s life is so interesting and she conveys her message with such passion I was always brought back in and it is a great purposeful message she shares.
November 9, 2020
A thoroughly interesting and inspiring memoir. The author's enthusiasm bubbles on to the page; however I did find it repetitious, especially at the end. The same ideas, all expressed in different ways.
March 23, 2021
What an amazing woman! Whilst a little self-indulgent, she deserves to be. I did find a big chunk of this preachy so flicked through these. I didn't want to read a self-help book, was more interested in her journey. Her journey is fascinating. Really admire her, just didn't love the book.
March 19, 2022
What a fantastic read- I have heard Ronni speak at a conference and she was inspirational and entertaining and it was great to read and hear more about her thoughts and actions across the book. Well worth a read!
Read
November 2, 2020Like a little chat with a friend, a light journey through Ronni's life will make you feel like she's your friend by the end.
Read
November 21, 2020Some good insights into leading with heart. As a society we have the capacity to take care of everyone, we just need to do it.
December 13, 2020
The good works of this person go far beyond this prosaic book. I didn’t like the writing style, but I love the cause.
December 26, 2020
I was reminded of the complexity of humanity in reading Ronni's story; life is not a straight line trajectory.
January 23, 2021
A brilliant memoir with an important message for all; thought provoking.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews