Northern Rivers Newsletter & Projects | Business NSW

Regional Leaders Northern Rivers 3rd Anniversary Celebration

event Recap

Three years ago, Regional Leaders Northern Rivers started with a simple idea: that leadership in this region should be collaborative, strategic and future-focused.
You do not build a strong region by accident. You build it by bringing the right people together, supporting connections and being committed to ensuring the region can live up to its potential. On Friday 20 February we celebrated 3 years of a program that has delivered some of the most insightful thought leadership events, networking opportunities and programs that are setting the region up for success.

Before we go any further, we want to thank our hosts and acknowledge the setting that made the afternoon what it was.

Plantation House at Tropical Fruit World is one of those venues that reminds you why you live and work in this region. Open lawns. Lush surrounds. Space to breathe and one of the best views in the region. A proper Northern Rivers backdrop for a Friday afternoon.

A heartfelt thank you to our hosts and fellow Regional Leaders, Aymon Gow and his team. The food, the setting and the ease of the afternoon reflected the care you put into your business every day, thanks for sharing such a special place with the network.

What we covered

The day started with an earlier roundtable hosted by Business NSW with the Hon. Janelle Saffin MP. Minister for Small Business, Minister for the North Coast and Minister for Recovery. Leaders spoke frankly about housing, enabling infrastructure, land tax, manufacturing, industrial land, staffing and skills and the 2032 Olympics opportunity. The conversation was practical and focused on action.

By 3pm, more than 80 leaders gathered at Plantation House, Tropical Fruit World to mark the Regional Leaders, Northern Rivers three year anniversary.

We heard from Jane Laverty, Business NSW Regional Director, on the strength of the network and the opportunities ahead including the work of ProspER Northern Rivers that has been business and industry led and the depth of the event program for 2026.

The Hon. Janelle Saffin MP shared her perspective from State Parliament and the importance of her election commitment for ProspER Northern Rivers, the development of the Regional Economic and Environment Plan 2040, delivered through the Business NSW and carried through the Regional Leaders program. Much of ProspERs success has been due to the strength of the Regional Leaders network. Members have shared insights, data and lived experience. That input has helped define the themes and priorities and has given the project much weight. When you have credible business voices around the table, government and institutions listen.

Troy Green, Tweed Shire Council General Manager, spoke about the many developments and investments underway across the Tweed. He outlined major infrastructure & housing projects and council’s focus on creating the conditions for business to expand and invest locally.

Ben Roche, Southern Cross University Pro Vice Chancellor, launched the Regional Leaders Academy, delivered in partnership between Business NSW Northern Rivers and Southern Cross University.

The Academy includes fully sponsored places in SCU’s Industry Graduate Certificate program, available to members of the Regional Leaders Network from March 2026.

The Academy came from direct collaboration with Southern Cross University as a strategic partner. It responds to what members have said they need. Stronger leadership capability. Practical skills. A way to grow local talent instead of losing it. That feedback shaped the program.

The afternoon rolled on with cold drinks. Fruit straight from the farm & snacks prepared by our hosts at Tropical Fruit World. Guests took to the lawn for mini golf compliments of Shaun Haysom and Noahs Mini Golf.

A special thanks to the team at Raptis Investments and Ballina Fair for lending us Shaun Haysom for the afternoon. The Australian Amateur Mini Golf Champion himself kept standards high and egos in check.

We returned him to work, still undefeated.

A hole in one competition was declared. It quickly proved harder than anyone expected. Close was as good as it got.

The nearest shots came from Tracey Maisey, CEO of Northern NSW LHD, and Ted Nabung, CEO of North Coast Community College. Both handled the pressure well. Both now have unfinished business for next year.

We launched the first annual NorRivean Cup with more confidence than skill. The lawn at Plantation House saw fierce competition and some very creative putting.

The winning team honours went to Martin Laverty, CFO at Northern Rivers Housing, and Tim Cohen, General Manager at Bennett. Steady hands. Quiet focus. A win they will not let us forget.

The wooden spoon went to Renee Tanner, National Sales Manager at NRMA Parks. The prize was a pickleball set. A generous hint that her talents may lie in another ball sport.

In three years, Regional Leaders has grown into a trusted peer network. You share lessons from the front line. You connect people who need each other. You step up when the region needs leadership.

To everyone in the network, thank you for your commitment, whether you were at the celebration or cheering from the sidelines.

Can't wait to see what we achieve together in 2026!

Thank you to our partners and speakers

Business NSW values strong partnerships. The Regional Leaders program continues to grow because of organisations that invest in this region and back practical action.

Thank you to our strategic partners Southern Cross University, Clarence Property, Tursa and Northern Rivers Housing. Your commitment strengthens the program and supports leadership development across the Northern Rivers.

Thank you to our event partners Noahs Mini Golf and Tropical Fruit World. You helped create an afternoon that brought people together in a generous and welcoming way.

Most importantly, thank you to every Regional Leader in the room and across the network. You invest your time and your voice. You help shape priorities that affect the whole region.

This is what collective leadership looks like.