Matt McQuillan, founder of Mid Coast Stairs, shares his journey from a school leaver at 16 to a skilled tradesman and successful business owner. After leaving school early, Matt completed his apprenticeship with a staircase company in Port Macquarie, then deliberately moved through various joinery shops in Wauchope and the Taree region to broaden his expertise. This strategic accumulation of skills, combined with a management role, gave him the confidence to launch his own business on the side, working evenings and weekends for two years before going full-time.

Greg Blaze, a seasoned civil engineer with a career spanning local infrastructure and international humanitarian aid, shares his journey from a student unsure of his path to a global project manager. After initially studying electrical engineering and working at BHP in Newcastle, Greg switched to civil engineering, finding his stride in local government where he oversaw major projects like the Taree bypass. A three-month stint in war-torn Somalia for the World Food Programme sparked a passion for humanitarian engineering, leading him to spend five years overseas and subsequently dedicate his later career to building schools, hospitals, and fire stations in places like Samoa.

Luca Sawyer, a Taree High graduate now completing her Bachelor of Arts/Law at the University of NSW, shares her journey from a regional high school to studying and working in Sydney's legal sector. Uncertain about her future in her final year of school, Luca discovered her path through UNSW's Winter School and Pre-Programs, which opened the door to a law pathway she hadn't previously imagined.

Matt Fawcett, owner of INSURE MORE @ with offices in Forster and Taree, shares his journey from a local high school student in Wingham to a leading insurance broker and community leader. After starting in banking, Matt "fell into" the insurance industry, completing his Diploma in Insurance Broking locally before purchasing the Taree business and expanding to a second location in 2025.

Kate Dunn, the Community Connector on the Mid Coast, shares her journey from a local school student in Old Bar to helping families and professionals settle into the region. After leaving school to travel and work on Hamilton Island, Kate studied media marketing and office administration in Newcastle before briefly commencing a communication degree at Griffith University. Though her degree remained unfinished due to life changes abroad, her foundational qualifications and innate communication skills paved the way for her current role assisting public and private organizations with employee relocation and retention.

Darren King, founder of Fast Charge Australia, shares his unconventional journey from a non-traditional education background to running a global business providing electric vehicle power solutions for airports and distribution centres. Leaving school in Year 10, Darren worked a variety of roles including prison officer, security guard, truck driver, and printer before discovering his aptitude for sales. Rising to become a national sales manager for a battery company, he launched Fast Charge Australia in 2012 from his garage, leveraging the expertise of accountants and lawyers to fill his own knowledge gaps.

Josh Hack, founder of AG Farming Solutions, shares his remarkable journey from showing sheep and cattle as a teenager in Bridgewater, Tasmania, to running his own agronomy and drone business on the NSW coast. Leaving school in Year 10, Josh completed a Cert II in Agriculture at TAFE before landing an apprenticeship on a diverse mixed-enterprise farm at Cressy. His hunger for learning took him across NSW — from jackarooing on big properties around Coonamble, to farm management, to studying agronomy at Wagga, to working as an agronomist and managing a cotton farm — before settling on the coast in 2011 and launching his own business in 2021.

Erin Lute, Program Officer with the Department of Education's Regional Industry Education Partnerships, shares her remarkable journey from hospitality worker to champion of regional student career pathways. After starting in hospitality and childcare, Erin spent a season as a camp counsellor in America before returning to run hospitality businesses. Her passion for mentoring young people led her to become a TAFE teacher, then into community services and youth work, before finding her current role connecting school students with industry opportunities.

Dan Anderson, presenter at Max FM, shares his remarkable journey from university graduate to community radio broadcaster. After completing a Bachelor's Social Science in Media Studies, Dan initially worked in radio before branching into TV, corporate communications, and PR. He eventually returned to radio, bringing together a diverse skill set that now includes managing the station's website, social media, and operational troubleshooting.

After leaving school in Year 9, Anthony worked as a butcher, served in the NSW Police, and eventually transitioned into health management before taking on his current role delivering cultural education training for GP registrars across Australia.

After starting as a student tutor in high school, Chelsea built Homework Hub at Taree Universities Campus before transitioning to Holiday Hub, which provides before‑ and after‑school care and vacation programs at Mid Coast Christian College.

Rob Chapman, owner of Ray White Manning Valley, shares his journey from a Tamworth upbringing and early departure from school to becoming a respected real‑estate entrepreneur. He talks about the positive impact of mentors, overseas experiences on a shoestring budget, and the moment he bought his first agency in 2002.

Alex Cudlin, founder of the adventure‑tour company Aussie Bike or Hike, shares his unconventional path — from teenage motorbike racing champion to globe‑trotting entrepreneur — plus the lessons he’s learned about resilience, freedom and turning passion into a thriving business.

Alana Trudgeon is a volunteer crisis supporter with Lifeline while studying towards a Bachelor of Counselling. Her work in suicide prevention has grown from a deep passion for mental health and helping people feel heard during their darkest moments.

Dr Alison McIntosh is the Chair of Taree Universities Campus and a passionate advocate for regional education. With a professional journey spanning corporate computing in Brisbane and Sydney, through to earning her PhD via distance education, Alison’s career has been defined by persistence and a meticulous attention to detail.

Anna Godfrey is the founder of The Switcher, a strategic innovation and marketing business run from the MidCoast. With a background in corporate roles across Australia and internationally, Anna has built a flexible career that allows her to combine big-brand boardrooms with school runs and community life.

Clare Brennan is the Centre Director at First Steps Count, a child and community hub in Taree supporting children aged 0 to 12 and their families. With a background in speech pathology, Clare has built a career on communication, compassion, and community impact.

Donna Ballard is the CEO of Taree Universities Campus, where she blends community connection with education leadership. She also volunteers at the Festival Coordinator for the annual Wingham Music Festival. Donna’s success has been built on her ability to reach out, ask for help, and build strong networks.

Jake Davey is a dynamic artist, producer, and entrepreneur blending country music with a creative production business. Based on the Mid Coast, Jake balances songwriting and performance with video and audio production work, helping others build their careers while growing his own.

Jake Dawson is the co-director of UpBound, a business services company helping small businesses thrive through digital solutions like web development, content creation, and automation.