The next generation of business leaders gathered in Gunnedah last week to hear from those already leading the way in their chosen industry.
In front of a packed audience, the youth-driven initiative ‘Next Gen’ was officially launched by the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce.
The launch featured guest speakers and emerging leaders from across the region.
Attendees heard that while material assets and growth were important – investment in human capital should be the priority.
Next Gen is open to anyone aged 16-35 involved in business, leadership, business leadership or professional growth.
This includes business owners, employees in leadership roles, apprentices and students working in a professional capacity are among those sought for the new group.
Prospective members are offered access to mentorship through the business chamber, the chance to attend events and other opportunities at their own pace, including leadership team roles for those ready to step up.
Speaking on the launch night last Thursday, chamber of commerce president CJ Baldry Adams said the program was driven by a real need to connect “change-makers” in the region.
“The strength of our community lies in the people we invest in,” Ms Baldry Adams said.
To ensure a sustainable future in business and community, “backing the next generation of leadership” was critical to future prosperity, she explained.
“We believe Gunnedah can be a leader in regional towns … across Australia,” Ms Baldry Adams said.
Michael Broekman
Among the first guest speakers was chamber of commerce past president and now life member, Michael Broekman. He explained how he spent 10 years in the coal industry before turning his attention to the family business, Namoi Valley Bricks.
“A lot of my inspiration came from my dad,” Michael said.
The brickmaking process is unique in that it utilises the traditional, coal-fired downdraft kilns to create bricks of consistent texture and hardness.
But he would like to see the next generation of business leader draw on Australia’s strengths in proximity to the raw materials.
“Value-adding to our raw materials is what makes this country wealthy and we just don’t do it,” he said.
Mr Broekman said it was critical that businesses, especially in manufacturing, can draw on a depth of skill through key personnel to sustain them into the future.
“Manufacturing is one of those industries where you need that knowledge,” he said.
David Errington
Second guest speaker was managing director of Apollo Engineering and Tamworth Business Chamber president, David Errington.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration between regional business chambers – several which were present at Next Gen including Liverpool Plains, Boggabri and New England North West business chambers.
He knew while those in the room were individually brilliant at their chosen field, there were limits to what could be achieved if those skills and know-how were not shared with others.
“Regional NSW is struggling to get the attention of the policy makers,” Mr Errington said.
“The more we act like silos, we’ll never get anything done. We need to harness the collective power.”
Having started several trades when the was younger, Mr Errington eventually found his way into the family business which was sold and re-purchased by the family several times over the years.
“This is the third time someone with my last name has owned the business,” he said.
Despite the difficulties, he said having a good team around him made the job all worth it.
“I love what I do because of the people I do it with,” he said.
Susie Slack-Smith
Collective Media co-founder, Susie Slack-Smith, spoke about her beginnings in business.
In 2009 she founded Glamour Empire – a start-up business featuring Australian-owned makeup and beauty brands which expanded into two retail shopfronts and an online store.
She was able to draw on that business experience alongside husband Mark at Slack-Smith Partners, which was significantly expanded in 2023, before launching Collective Media in 2024.
Ms Slack-Smith explained how in the early years, she longed for business mentorship.
“I wished I had someone to tell me how to do things,” she said.
She promised to be the future mentor for others she wished she had during her early years in business.
TOIM Technology
TOIM managing director Tom Gaynor and chief technology officer Mark Booth sat down to chat about their locally-based, information-technology business.
Mr Gaynor explained how he worked with Australia’s biggest telco but saw improvement in the level of service being provided to customers.
So he established his own, as a regionally-based telecommunication provider.
Such is the success, the Tamworth-based company is due to launch its own mobile service, complete with its own sim cards.
The pair also spoke about the unique approach to finding and retaining staff in a highly competitive labour market.
Their secret was finding predominantly young people who may know a little bit about technology but were passionate about helping people.
Mr Gaynor explained how many of their current staff were hired from customer service roles.
“It’s really important to find the right people to put on the bus,” he said.
“You can’t teach personality but you can teach skills.”
Brooke Watts
A podcast that started as a side hustle for Brooke Watts has developed in industry-leading forum for young business leaders.
The Business with Brooke podcast has evolved into platform for like-minded ‘change-makers’ to share ideas and strategies about has worked for them and what has not.
Much of the podcast content revolves around agricultural in regional Australia, highlighting the people and places which are helping to drive the industry forward.
Ms Watt’s business interests centre around the use of drones for farm mapping and feral pest management.
Aaron Kumar
Komatsu regional general manager Aaron Kumar said the Gunnedah region features much potential for aspiring, young business leaders.
“Our Gunnedah branch has been extremely successful, not only operationally but in developing young individuals as well,” Mr Kumar said.
“Our involvement is identifying young talent, cultivating that talent and giving them the opportunities to grow and develop.”
His advice to those seeking to make their mark in their chosen industry?
“Don’t doubt yourself, everyone has their own journey, their own desires, everyone will do it their own way,” Mr Kumar said.
“Ask questions, look for inspiration, utilise a mentor but understand you will find your own path.”
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