Hannah Olden's Mudgee Clothing Brand Thrives After Debt Crisis

Hannah Olden, a 32‑year‑old entrepreneur in Mudgee, New South Wales, runs the Kalgold Gear clothing line. The brand, launched last year, began with shorts and quickly expanded to waterproof jackets, sweaters, trousers, gloves, scarves and footwear, all sold at the town’s 2850 Markets.

Olden funds the business by driving trucks for a local coal mine, a job she took after a partnership collapse left her with heavy personal debt. She credits the mining income with allowing her to repay loans and rebuild her finances. Growing up with a single mother in Kalgoorlie and later in regional eastern Australia, she has worked continuously from a young age, moving between farm, mining and market stalls to sustain herself.

The market stall has become a staple for tourists visiting the vineyards, with customers buying jackets and jumpers to take a piece of Mudgee home. Olden says the venture not only provides profit but also connects her with a supportive community.