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.

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.

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.

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.

Janine Roberts is a community historian and educator who channels her lifelong passion for local and family history into her work with MidCoast Stories. With a background in teaching and university education, Janine brings determination, adaptability, and an insatiable drive for knowledge to everything she does.

Jessica Loughland is a postdoctoral researcher investigating the human immune response to malaria—an infectious disease that disproportionately impacts the world’s most vulnerable. Driven by integrity and curiosity, Jessica has built a career around critical thinking, rigorous research, and big-picture questions.

Kyle Brown is an accountant and co-owner of UpBound, a business helping small enterprises navigate their financial needs. Despite working in a field often seen as numbers-driven, Kyle leads with empathy—supporting a diverse range of clients by understanding their unique challenges.

Meredith Paige is a freelance marketing consultant & website designer. She is currently travelling full-time with her family while serving small businesses & community organisations remotely.

Mitch Rudge is a Natural Capital Data Scientist with Bush Heritage Australia, where he blends ecological science and drone technology to monitor and improve land conditions. Mitch has developed a unique focus on using data for good—mapping landscapes and informing sustainable practices.

Narelle Campbell’s remarkable career has spanned from high-pressure media roles to leadership in one of the world’s most isolated environments—Antarctica. As a former Station Leader for the Australian Antarctic Division, Narelle’s key to success has always been her ability to listen, observe, and ask the right questions.

Wade Death is the founder of Jack & Co, a business built around redefining convenience stores through quality, customer focus, and a strong sense of values.

Dr Wendy Wright is a poet, translator, and academic whose life journey—from Tokyo to Oxford—has been shaped by a fierce passion for storytelling and the arts. Her work spans Japanese literary translation, creative writing, and intercultural education.