RDA Central West Podcast Series

BUSINESS LEADERS BREAKFAST

 

Episode 54: Jessica Hickman, Founder of Bullyoloy

 

Jessica is the founder of Bullyology and driver of The Upstander Movement.

 

She is a speaker, educator, business influencer, and consultant with a core focus on empowering others to own their ability to speak out and in turn become champions of change. 

 

Jessica provides individuals and companies with the tools and strategies that will enable them to create a thriving respectful workplace free of Bullying and Harassment.

 

Jessica is a published author and globally recognised speaker with a background in Council, Construction, Oil&Gas and Community. Jess is deeply committed to building strong workplace and school cultures so people can be psychologically safe across the region and beyond.

BUSINESS LEADERS BREAKFASTEpisode 53: Craig Randazzo, Chief Executive Officer of SkillsetWith over 30 years’ leadership experience in organisational management, 21 of which have been in the non-for-profit sector, Craig leads a team of passionate people to deliver Skillset’s life-changing education, skills development and employment services.While constantly reviewing the range of products and services to ensure relevance, value and quality, Craig focuses on providing what Skillset’s customers, clients and stakeholders need to ensure their continued success.Craig holds two Directorships, one as Chair of Skillset’s independent secondary school, Skillset Senior College, the other as Chair of the Apprentice Employment Network NSW/ACT.Craig holds a degree in Psychology and Education, an Advanced Diploma of Management, and is a fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.He is married with four children, has lived in Orange for 21 years and is a passionate advocate for equality of opportunity, the power of education and employment to transform lives and loves living and working in regional NSW.

BUSINESS LEADERS BREAKFASTEpisode 52: Graeme Hay, Director of Barrack BrokingGraeme is an experienced and professional risk consultant and insurance broker having spent nearly 20 years providing risk and insurance advice to a range of industries.Through his executive roles at two international insurance brokerage and risk advisory firms and two national Australian firms, Graeme has built a specialty on advising large and mid-sized Australian businesses on risk mitigation and insurance coverage.In representing his clients, Graeme leverages his negotiating skills and extensive relationships across the insurance sector to secure the best outcomes for his clients. He holds significant experience in advising clients in the industry sectors of: accommodation; entertainment and events; agribusiness; and real estate and property.Having recently co-founded Barrack Broking, Graeme is responsible for expanding the businesses operations into the Central West to ensure the needs of a growing group of clients are met in the region.

BUSINESS LEADERS BREAKFASTEpisode 51: Victoria Spurway, Financial Planning Manager and Adviser at PmwPlus.Raised in Sydney, Victoria has been living in regional NSW for over 10 years, spending time in Wagga Wagga, before moving to Orange in 2013.After completing a Bachelor Degree in Applied Science at Sydney University and travelling the world, Victoria entered the Financial Planning Industry in 2007.With over 14 years’ experience working in client facing and management roles in a diverse range of businesses, Victoria is passionate about education and the current industry transformation occurring as a result of the Royal Commission.Victoria currently holds a graduate diploma in financial planning, is a certified financial adviser and now completing an MBA from AGSM.

BUSINESS LEADERS BREAKFASTEpisode 50: Jeremy Norris, Director of Byng Street Local Store. Jeremy has been involved in the hospitality industry for the past 28 years.After finishing school in Albury Jeremy studied at Latrobe College in Wodonga before being offered an internship at a local Hotel in Albury.After a few short months curiosity got the better of him and he flew the nest and travelled to Cairns in Far North Queensland to immerse himself into the world of hotels and the rest is history.He spent time in Sydney hotels working in fine dining restaurants before travelling across the Nullaboar at the age of 24 to try something different and worked as a drillers offsider in Kalgoorlie.Perth was the next destination and back to restaurants and this was the realisation that he had a passion for the industry…After a few years in Perth he decided to broaden his horizons with a 12 month trip to Scotland to work on a family Deer Stalking Estate. This turned into 11 years in Scotland ever he worked in numerous fine dining establishments and also worked as a private chef on various sporting Estates.In 2003 after working in Jerez Spain for the McLaren testing team he joined the McLaren race team for the duration of the European Season as a chef which took him to every Grand Prix Race in Europe and UK. This was an amazing experience and inspired him to open his own catering company in Scotland which he ran for 5 years before returning to live in Australia…..After a quick visit to Orange to see his sister he purchased the now Byng Street Local Store on Byng Street and its been head down ever since. Since that acquisition in 2010 Jeremy has opened 12 venues in total of which 6 are currently in Operation.He is about to open venue number 7 in the newly renovated Dubbo Hospital and has plans to open 2 more venues in 2021.Jeremy is married to Juliet and has 2 children Monty (5) and Maggie (2).

With over 40 years’ experience in mining operations and mineral processing, Tony has worked in and led both open cut and underground operations around Australia.Tony commenced his career as a motor mechanic, before progressing to maintenance and then onto operations management at various companies, including CRA, Denehurst, Mount Isa Mines, and Newcrest. More recently, Tony joined Regis Resources as Manager of Special Projects working on the proposed McPhillamys Gold Project at Kings Plains, near Blayney.If approved, the McPhillamys project would consist of an open cut gold mining operation that has a current project life of approximately fifteen years, including construction, operation and rehabilitation. It is anticipated that the project would provide a major economic boost to the Central West, employing up to 1,289 direct and indirect jobs during construction, and 788 direct and indirect jobs during operation. The project is currently under assessment by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.During his spare time, Tony helps run the 396 hectare family farm at Crookwell, and he enjoys spending time with his family which includes six grandchildren at home near Orange.

Bruce King is the inaugural CEO of the Regional Investment Corporation. 

The Regional Investment Corporation delivers farm business loans to farmers to encourage growth, investment and resilience in Australia’s regional communities.

Bruce has a deep understanding of Australian agricultural production systems and the investment decisions required to underpin their long-term success.

With over 15 years’ experience in agribusiness and finance, he has held senior positions at Rabobank in Australia and New York. More recently he has been an investment manager specialising in water and agricultural enterprises. His early career was in grain trading.

Combined with his experience in agribusiness and finance, Bruce grew up on a 7,600 hectare beef cattle and mixed cropping property in Central Queensland and he understands the opportunities and challenges farmers face on a day-to-day basis.

Business Leaders Breakfast, Episode 47: Luke Cantrill, Managing Director of Cantrill Organics. Cantrill Organics, Australia's largest organic cherry orchard, is a family owned and operated orchard located in Nashdale, NSW.Luke Cantrill is the 6th generation of Cantrill farmers in Orange district following in the footsteps of his father John.The Cantrill Family has been farming in the Orange district of NSW for nearly 170 years and is committed to providing certified organic & biodynamic, high quality produce including cherries and a variety of other organic crops.The farm has 8,000 cherry trees which with the farm focused on expanding and planting new earlier varieties to double production over the next 3 years.Cantrill Organics supplies both domestically and has a strong focus for building future export markets.

BUSINESS LEADERS BREAKFASTEpisode 46: Jerone Bodiam, Regional Manager – Central West NSW, Industry Capability NetworkJerone has worked in the retail, construction, and manufacturing industries for 33 years.Before commencing with ICN, he has run several businesses in the Central West over this time, Jerone also serviced construction sites with primary inputs and consumables.This has given Jerone a sound knowledge of the regional construction industry and its diverse needs.Jerone prides himself on helping small and large businesses and strives to develop productive business relationships and provides a valuable service to NSW industry.

Episode 45: Dannielle Ford, Director Solicitor at Cheney Suthers Lawyers. Dannielle Ford is a Director Solicitor at Cheney Suthers Lawyers. Dannielle grew up in Orange and graduated from Orange High School in 2008.She then studied a Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws, primarily by distance, at the University of New England.Dannielle started working with Cheney and Wilson Solicitors (as it then was) in 2009 as a legal secretary. She studied full time while working full time at the firm. Following admission as a solicitor in 2014, Dannielle stayed on at Cheney and Wilson as a solicitor. In 2015, the firm had a restructure and was named Cheney Suthers Lawyers.On 1 April 2019, Dannielle, Alice Byrnes and Kirsty Evans acquired the firm from Tony Cheney and Aaron Suthers. The firm has since grown employing a further three solicitors and a number of support staff.Dannielle is the President of the Central West Law Society. She was also an Executive Councillor of NSW Young Lawyers from 2016 to 2018 and attended many meetings in Sydney with her son, Mack, who is now 3 years old.