Dr. Christine Walela
Founder & Visionary – Hands-On Recruitment and Consulting
Dr. Christine Walela is the founder of Hands-on Recruitment and Consulting, a company focused on connecting skilled talent with workforce needs and empowering skilled migrants to re-enter the job market with confidence.
Christine holds a PhD in Soil Science from the University of New England (NSW) and brings over 20 years of experience as a Research Scientist, Environmental Consultant, and Agronomist. Her work has centred on solving complex agricultural and environmental challenges through science, innovation, and leadership.
In 2020, she launched a successful Hi-Tech Hydroponic business in South Australia. This entrepreneurial journey revealed a major hurdle—finding skilled, job-ready talent. Realising this was a common challenge, particularly for skilled migrants, she founded Hands-on Recruitment and Consulting to help bridge that gap.
As a migrant herself, Christine understands the barriers professionals face and is passionate about creating inclusive, future-ready workplaces. She also serves on the board of the Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster, supporting agricultural innovation and industry collaboration.
In 2025, Christine was honoured as the Africa Day Professional of the Year by The Hon. Zoe Bettison, recognising her leadership and impact in workforce development and community empowerment.
Christine leads with honesty, integrity, discipline, and a people-first, solution-focused mindset. Her mission: to connect skilled individuals with meaningful work and help businesses grow through talent that’s ready to deliver from day one.

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