Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Anita Kauffmann + Sarah Burrows
Red8 Produce  

Our business is based in New England because the community fosters innovators and creators.

As female founders of Red8 Produce we have found assistance in all areas of New England, the SRI, the scientists of UNE and CSIRO, industry consortiums, farmers and townsfolk, everyone is open and supportive of progressive ideas and people who work to make change happen.

Tim Scott
Photographer (2022)

Jim Cameron
Site General Manager
Armidale Australian Natural Therapeutics Group

Our business really benefits from the Armidale location due to the workforce available here and the amount of yearly sunshine.

Yes, the New England Tablelands does have more yearly sunshine than a lot of other places! That reduces our need for supplementary lighting and power usage.

Not only are our staff very multicultural, talented and genuine people, but they are truly interested in what they do.

We are very patient-centric, and realise that by doing our jobs well we make a meaningful difference to people’s lives through our passion for the plant. Quality and purity is our motto.

Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Anna Barwick
PharmOnline 

Lib Martin
Photographer (2022)

Louise Brennan
Freelance Amateur Local History Researcher

I’m an Administrative Assistant, Library Assistant and most lately Museum Assistant. I grew up in the Enmore district and attended the old Armidale High School. I consider myself a historical researcher rather than a historian as I am more interested in research than analysis and writing up.

I live in Armidale because this is where I have roots. My ancestral families (of which there are a large number) are counted among the first European Setters in New England. Sharing some of the traits of those of my ancestors involved in gold mining, I spend a lot of time “prospecting” in the hope of finding “nuggets” of historical information to add to my collection of historical anecdotes. My focus (if I was pressed to provide one) would be Armidale’s history from settlement in the 1830s to 1900, with a sideline of mining and the Enmore Mihi area.

Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Deb Martin + Rod Martin
ObservaCare 

Observa Care is designed by rural clinicians for rural conditions. Over seven million Australians live in rural, regional and remote locations, and the impact of disease and injury in this population is greater than for urban Australians. We have first-hand experience of our patients’ frustrations at delayed treatment, higher rates of hospitalisation, and long journeys to access care.

There are key advantages for a rural health start-up, including the ability to engage directly with the local healthcare community.

Our vision is a service that not only improves patient care but also helps the health system to reduce waste, optimise resource use, and enhance the overall health of rural communities.

Anonymous
Photographer (2022)

Tom Croft
Co-Founder
The Welder’s Dog

Armidale is special place to me. Not only do most of my direct family come from the area, but it’s an oasis of culture and opportunity within a beautiful environment. Our small business, in the beginning, would probably not have been as successful in another country town. The locals alone have helped us create what we now have through their loyal patronage and positivity. Apart from the people, the crisp fresh air and defined seasons is what makes Armidale so nice to live and work.

Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Dr Alex Ball
Rural Analytics

Jon Clay
Photographer (2022)

Nathan Walker
Co-owner with life partner Enora Chanteperdrix
Aurora Catering and Cafe Patisserie

What I love most about being in Armidale is how big the sky feels up here. I really appreciate the open space of the tablelands, the sunset from Kellys Plains Road in early autumn and the stars at night, all give me a deep sense of calm and connection. Armidale is a great place to work and have a business. I walk to work each day, and we can pick the kids up from daycare on the push bikes if we feel like it. We work hard but still have plenty of time for family. After spending almost 15 years working in cities I would not have it any other way.

Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Dr Jo Bird
University of New England

Beth MacRaild O’Loughlin
Photographer (2022)

Bill Oates
Historian

I first came to Armidale from Orange as a teenager trying to avoid the big city university experience. I had little prior knowledge about Armidale or the New England. Armidale proved to be a snug little city surrounded by dramatic, sometimes bleak, landscapes. In quick succession, I gained an education, my lifelong partner and a love of the New England attitude so different from home. A few years after returning to the Central West, I accepted the chance to relocate my new family to Armidale. This chance allowed me the opportunity to embrace gathering the history of New England as a profession and lifelong passion.

Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Brendan Mooney
People Tech Revolution

Skye Creevey
Photographer (2022)

Sam Duncan
CEO
FarmLab

I left a career in the Air Force to move to Armidale in 2018 after my wife took a job with UNE. At the time it felt like a huge risk, starting a new company in a new town with a young family. After moving to Armidale, I was able to get outdoors more and go climbing in the beautiful gorges that surround the area. Like starting a new company and moving to Armidale, climbing appears risky – but it’s really about reducing risk; placing protection in the right spots, and climbing within your own abilities to ensure your rope is what catches you and not the ground.

Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Guada Lado
Manager Regional Waste
Armidale Regional Council

This is an exciting time to live in Armidale, with many passionate people working to see the region thrive. There is so much to love about Armidale, particularly a lifestyle that fosters the ability to enjoy the spectacular scenery and foster connections with others and our environment.

James Russell
Photographer (2022)

Nate Weatherall
Music Educator and Founder
Mad Proppa Deadly

Living in Armidale is my connection to country and family.

My business is based in Armidale because, I was able to build a solid foundation for my business in Armidale and have valuable lived experience here.

What I love most about being in Armidale is the ability my community has to grow and adapt when given the opportunity.

Eric Molnar
Photographer (2022)

Drew Walsh
General Manager Operations Soils and Pastures Agronomist
Precision Pastures

Established in 2015 in Armidale, Precision Pastures is an independent pasture, soil and carbon services company. We use the latest technology, satellite imagery mapping and GPS soil testing equipment to assist farmers across Australia to achieve their production objectives. We are united by our passion for helping farmers continuously improve their land and their business. The New England is a premium livestock zone producing arguably the best fine wool, lamb and beef our country has to offer. Our central location within New South Wales and the east coast of Australia, and vicinity of a leading university, grants access to some of the greatest agricultural technologies, genetics, and research facilities on offer.

Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Amelia Haydn
The Abandoned Shed

Simon Scott
Photographer (2022)

Lizzie Horne
Director, Arts Educator and Artist

New England Contemporary Print Gallery My business is based in Armidale because Armidale is so obviously the arts capital of the New England region. I couldn’t do this in a vacuum: the existence of NERAM and the Museum of Printing and the Black Gully Printmakers and the associated interest in art and printmaking are vital. A supportive community of locals is growing up around the gallery and its studio along with a wider national network of artists and collectors. My goals are to promote contemporary printmaking, to provide opportunities for artists and to contribute to the continued growth of Armidale as an arts destination.

Craig Pevitt
Photographer (2022)

Grant Petersen
Director
PNK Developments

I moved to Armidale to become a full time TAFE teacher and to further my career. Now, my business is based in Armidale because there are great opportunities to construct a wide variety of projects. There is a solid base of customers that are not satisfied with standard construction.

What I love most about being in Armidale is the surrounding scenery and bushland; being able to bushwalk right at our front doorstep.

Jazmine Hobbs
Photographer (2022)

Ness Harwood
Owner
Hello Lovely Sustainable Floristry

Armidale is the perfect area for what I call ‘my side hustle’. Armidale is a city of all seasons with a growing audience who appreciate quality and the backstory of where their products come from. Hello, Lovely Floristry, is founded on the principles of sustainability and the need for change in this industry. I source natives, local flowers, and forage all with the environment in the forefront of my mind. Flowers bring me joy and allow me the space to be creative and explore our beautiful region and what it has to offer while connecting with my community.

Michele Jedlicka
Photographer (2022)

Sara Schmude
Natural Capital Projects, USA and Australia
Impact Ag Partners

I’ve been known to say, “every year just gets better!” This is very much a factor of ‘maturity’ but also of the place I live. I love living in the Armidale region. Home to five generations of my rural/urban family. Every day I value the simple life - chance meetings in the street, friendly neighbourhoods, natural seasonal beauty and bounty, walking the tree-lined streets and native bushland, experiencing live music, theatre and the art scene.

And then there’s the fast lane - partnering with clients to develop nature-based solutions in a dynamic agricultural context throughout Australia and the USA.

Tenielle Schofield
Photographer (2022)

Barry Philp
Owner and General Manager
New England Peonies

I am a fourth generation New Englander from a long line of farmers, so my roots are embedded in agriculture of this region.

My business is based in Uralla, New England because it is an ideal climate for growing peonies. They need cold winters, and frosts to help set buds. They are a beautiful and special flower which can only be grown in a very small number of locations in Australia.

What I love most about being in the New England region are the four distinct seasons. Although we have very cold winters, this means we can harvest peonies in the springtime.

Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Peter Cull
ICT International 

Steve Carruthers
Photographer (2022)

Tom McCarthy
Pilot
Edwards Aviation

I live in Armidale because – I can do work I love doing in a town that truly feels like home. The wide variety of our flying continues to surprise me and I can combine this with a great lifestyle for my family. It is hard to beat.

Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Peter Annis-Brown
ManageHealth 

Matt Cawood
Photographer (2022)

Charlie Perry
General Manager and Partner
Trent Bridge Wagyu

I live on family owned and operated wagyu stud 60km north east of Armidale. It hast been in our family since 1978. With its temperate climate and high rainfall, the New England is highly regarded agricultural land. We are lucky enough to call the area home.

Armidale is an a eclectic town, with a wonderful combination of different industries and people. Weather you be a university Professor, a hipster home-brewer or someone from the land, there is a place for everyone in Armidale.

Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Fiona Strang
HealthWISE

After living in Moree for 39 years, I moved to Armidale in April 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, to be closer to family and friends. My role as CEO of a large not for profit is enhanced by living within the communities I serve, I have an insider view of issues faced by our diverse rural towns.

Armidale has a multicultural population requiring a multi-disciplinary and community focus for health and social support services. Armidale's diverse population has allowed HealthWISE to develop innovative models of care for these communities, including the Ezidkhan Care Navigation program for Ezidi humanitarian entrants, and initiatives addressing access to food.

Armidale is a diverse town, from the background of the people who live here, the cultural, music and art events, to the beautiful natural environment. I enjoy visiting the national parks that surround Armidale, as well as the intellect and knowledge sharing opportunities the university and associated organisations provide in a rural environment.

Mike Terry
Photographer (2022)

Kate Armstrong Smith
Co-Founder and CEO
Omelia

We accidentally got locked down in New England during covid when we were going to expand into America with our entertainment-focused story-writing tools.

During covid, the world changed and we discovered we could live in this beautiful area and build our start-up in the tech innovation ecosystem here. It was great for our children, but with innovation hubs moving out of the main cities globally, it was a chance to contribute culturally to the community. We love the idea that Armidale could be a centre of climate and cultural innovation and look for ways to contribute locally and globally.

Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Richard Daugherty
Balala Station Butcher Box

Catherine Stephen
Photographer (2022)

Liz Rogers
Business Development
Betts Transport

One of the main reasons Betts Transport is located in the New England is the strategic location being half way between Brisbane and Sydney. However the primary reason is, it suits our lifestyle. We love the people and have so many interesting friends here and it is a wonderful place to raise and educate children. We love the climate – truly experiencing all of the four seasons. The spring here is magnificent and perhaps all of the more sweeter because of the winter endured, the summer so lovely and mild, and autumn just bursting with colour. We could not imagine living anywhere else.

Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Graham East
EdAlive 

Dave Robinson
Photographer (2022)

Rachael Parsons
Director
New England Regional Art Museum

I live in Armidale because it has an amazing art museum that I currently have the privilege of leading. I moved from Brisbane to Armidale in 2016, a city I had never visited before, to become the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) Curator, and to work with the outstanding Howard Hinton, Chandler Coventry and NERAM Art Collections.

I love the cultural activity and community of Armidale, there are so many artists and art appreciators. I love how much this community cares about the arts, the wonderful generosity, volunteerism, and creativity that enables so much culture to exist and take place here.

Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Martin Levins
University of New England

Armidale—I love the climate, the amazing arts scene, the beautiful surrounding countryside and the easy commutes with quick access to major capital cities for a conference, a concert at the Opera House or an exhibition at the National Gallery, and, of course, education is my business!

In my almost 40 years here I have been blessed with opportunities to develop curriculum, and learning in the K–12, Vocational and tertiary sectors.

I’ve worked with fabulous people in Science, Mathematics, Design, Technology, Computing, even Outdoor education. I’ve been a teacher, a learner and a tinkerer.

Harrison Munday
Photographer (2022)

Mark Bullen
Owner
Armidale Bicycle Centre

I love the community spirit of Armidale. We enjoy a relaxed country lifestyle here which we’ve been lucky enough to be a part of for over 45 years. We grew our family here and love being a part of this close knit community. The Armidale Bicycle Centre is family owned and operated, that opened here in 1974. The community support is second to none and we feel incredibly lucky to have been supported every step over the years. We have great interactions with our community and their continued unwavering support makes living here a no brainer for our family.

What I love most about being in Armidale is the climate, which to some seems odd but the crisp mornings and beautiful sunny days all year round make it a really great place to live. Armidale is a really beautiful part of the world.

Daniel Elliott
Photographer (2023)

Peter Westbrook
The Ascent Group

Harriet Schmude
Photographer (2022)

John Atchison
Historian

I live in Armidale for its sense of community and the rich habitability of high lean country. New England’s ever so varied landscapes, vast open skies with wondrous afternoon cloud formations, are matched by cultural depth integrating past, present and future in this regional city. Having lived, studied and worked here for fifty-four of the last fifty-seven years I relish being engaged with others and meeting current strategic challenges. Armidale is positively and creatively constructing its future, especially high technology, building on its agriculture and education strengths, to create something potentially world class and unique.

Edwina Bach
Photographer (2022)

Maree McKenzie
Chief Executive Officer
Homes North Community Housing

As a community-focused organisation Homes North is located in Armidale because we believe it’s important to our understanding of the region we serve. Providing services to rural and regional areas has specific challenges that are best responded to by our people being located here. As a regional centre and educational hub Armidale gives us access to people who support our specialist governance, research and finance needs.

Homes North has a specific strategic objective to demonstrate strong organisations can develop from, and in, the regions and this will result in better services to the region. We also want to support local employment. We are proud to say we have achieved these objectives.

Ijumaa Stephenson
Photographer (2022)

Peter Georkas
Director and Licensee
HH Real Estate

I live in Armidale because this is where my family settled as refugees in the early 1970’s. What a fantastic city to grow up in.

My business is based in Armidale because I chose to stay in Armidale and raise my own family, and I love creating the opportunity for other families to do the same. I have great support from other businesspeople and the community.

What I love most about being in Armidale is the vibrancy and multiculturalism of the city and the natural beauty of the surrounding parks. It is easy to commute to Sydney and Brisbane if needed and it’s a beautiful drive over the mountain to the coast.

Melanie Jenson
Photographer (2022)

Olivia Schaefer
Owner
Cedar Nursery and Design

What I love most about being in Armidale... are the seasons of course! Living in Armidale is a blessing for those of us that love cool climate plants. The variety we can grow here is extensive with changes occurring weekly, the colour we witness is incredible from winter to spring to summer to autumn.

All our relevant services are here within a 10 minute drive, the scenery is stunning, and the people are welcoming and generous.