Regional Development Australia Central West will reach its twentieth episode in the Business Leaders Breakfast Series on Friday, 21 August and to mark the milestone the Hon. Fiona Nash will feature as this week’s guest.
Fiona took up her current role as the Strategic Adviser – Regional Engagement and Government Relations for Charles Sturt University in early 2018. Prior to that she spent twelve years in the Australian Parliament as a Senator for NSW and also held ministerial positions including Rural Health, and in Cabinet the positions of Regional Development, Regional Communications and Local Government and Territories.
RDA Central West, CEO Sam Harma said he looks forward to welcoming Ms Nash to the Business Leaders Breakfast.
“Having grown up in Sydney, Fiona chose to live, farm and raise her family in regional Australia and continues to be an exemplary leader and advocate of regional New South Wales.
“She has a wealth of knowledge and experience and will provide some valuable insights into her journey as a regional leader and the lessons she has learnt along the way.
“I think this will be a really interesting and engaging conversation and one not to miss – so remember to tune in on Friday morning at 8am on Facebook live.”
As the Business Leaders Breakfast Series approaches its twentieth episode, Mr Harma added Facebook live wasn’t the initial platform intended for the series.
“Like everyone, RDA Central West had to adapt in response to COVID-19 and so what was going to be a monthly networking breakfast in a local café, is now a weekly interview – filmed live,” said Mr Harma.
“This was a new format for us and while there have been some challenges along the way, we have been delighted by the response we have received so far.
“Each episode offers a unique insight into the local business landscape and in the last 19 episodes I have spoken to local politicians, business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals. It has been a chance to discuss local priorities, projects and policy issues but also check in to see how everyone is faring in the midst of COVID-19.
“The Business Leaders Breakfast Series has been a real positive to come out of the pandemic for RDA Central West. We go live every Friday morning at 8am on Facebook and now it’s even easier to catch up on past episodes by subscribing to our podcast so you can listen on your daily commute, afternoon run or while you’re doing jobs around the house.”
“We have some great guests lined up over the coming weeks and are also seeking suggestions so please let us know which Central West champions you would like to hear from.”
The RDA Central West Podcast Series is available to download on Podbean and Apple Podcasts and you can suggest a guest by calling (02) 6369 1600 or by emailing grants@rdacentralwest.org.au
EPISODES:
1. Phil Donato MP, Member for Orange
2. Wayne Sunderland, CEO of Business HQ
3. Andrew Gee MP, Federal Member for Calare and Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment, Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education
4. Caddie Marshall, General Manager at Orange360
5. Reg Kidd, Mayor of Orange City Council
6. Steph Cooke MP, Member for Cootamundra and Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier
7. Fiona Hall, Owner of Biteriot
8. Aaron Brannigan, General Manager of Cadia Valley Operations
9. Stephanie Robinson, CEO of Lifeline Central West
10. Ash Brown, President of Orange Business Chamber and Director at One Agency Real Estate Orange
11. Sam Farraway MLC, Member of the NSW Upper House
12. Phil Dodds, CEO of Phocas
13. Weston Ryan, pmwPlus Chartered Accountant and Principal
14. Mark Coulton MP, Federal Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government
15. Rich Evans, Founder of Central West Media (Bathurst City Life and Village Voice publications) and Chief Reactivation Office at The Foundations, Portland
16. Gerada Mader, Head of Community at Bathurst Upstairs Startup Hub
17. Craig Murphy, Director of Performance IT
18. Daniel Perkiss, CEO of Orange Ex-Services Club
19. Scott McLachlan, Chief Executive of the Western NSW Local Health District
20. Fiona Nash, Charles Sturt University Strategic Adviser – Regional Engagement and Government Relations and former NSW Senator