Colin Steber is the Enterprises Manager at Dundaloo, but his career began as an apprentice fitter machinist. A willingness to never say no took him across Australia — climbing the corporate ladder in manufacturing, building locomotives in Townsville, working the cane fields of Ingham, and spending a decade constructing mine countermeasure vessels for defence right here on the Manning River. Now five years into his role at Dundaloo, Col brings the same energy that drove him through manufacturing into the service sector.

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.

Trent Chapman is the owner of Local Pest Experts and a driven small business leader passionate about authentic leadership. With years of hands-on experience, Trent has learned that the heart of effective leadership lies in treating every team member as an individual.