Northern Rivers leaders gather to tackle region’s biggest challenges

LEADERS from across the Northern Rivers gathered for the Business NSW Northern Rivers Leadership, Health and Culture Forum to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the region’s future.

Held at Ballina RSL Club, the forum featured award-winning journalist and broadcaster Tracey Spicer as keynote speaker and master of ceremonies. Representatives from business, health, education, First Nations organisations and the community sector explored topics including leadership, wellbeing, artificial intelligence, climate change and community resilience.

Spicer said the forum stood apart from many corporate events because of the authenticity of its speakers and their willingness to address complex issues.

“It was one of the best events I’ve ever had the privilege of speaking at because every speaker was enlightening, entertaining and speaking from the heart,” she said.

 

“You don’t often get that when you go to a corporate event. There was a lovely feeling in the room of collective action that we can do things together to help community and broader society.”

Business NSW Northern Rivers regional director Jane Laverty said the forum was designed to bring together the region’s diverse leaders and encourage conversations that too often happened in isolation.

“Our region has extraordinary leadership across business, health, community, culture, education and the not-for-profit sector, but too often those conversations happen separately,” she said.

“This forum is about bringing people together to explore what connects us, what strengthens us and what kind of leadership we need as we look to the future.”

Spicer said hearing multiple First Nations voices on one panel was one of the event’s highlights.

“You don’t often see that. Often there’ll be one Indigenous person speaking, but to have three people sharing their perspectives and wisdom was inspiring,” she said.

She also said discussions around maintaining a healthy “body battery” resonated following her recovery from long COVID.

“Health is wealth. It’s the most important thing that we all have over a lifetime,” she said.

“I really hope that people on the Northern Rivers realise how special their community is.”