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.