Local Leaders

When Peter and Gill Bond bought into the growing OZ Design Furniture franchise back in 2002, they knew they wanted to continue to offer Canberrans personable and friendly service that would keep customers coming back for more. The couple now say that after 18 years in the trade, even as the business has grown beyond expectations, OZ Design Furniture Fyshwick...

You can have a rewarding career and live regionally – that's the message from allinsure's newest senior account executive, Sarah Townsend. When she is not working, this Yass resident loves to explore the country where she lives with her husband and two children. Sarah says she loves the country lifestyle, open space and peace the regional area has to offer....

A passionate and experienced property manager, Charlie Evans is the head of residential property management at VERV Property, one of Canberra's most progressive boutique real estate businesses. As a licensed agent for ACT and NSW, Charlie is able to capably execute legislative requirements and is devoted to delivering outstanding service to her clients. Many people know Charlie in her professional...

From flying P-3 Orion aircraft in the air force to making Flying V guitars, there is a reverb around Russell 'Rusty' Vance's custom-made guitars that are making a big noise in the Australian and international music scene. While working in the Royal Australian Air Force, Rusty had a posting to RMAF Base Butterworth in Malaysia and found he had a...

What comes across talking to Luke McAuliffe is that he is very clear about the responsibility he carries for his clients. “When you present as a professional, you should be professional, you’re handling their biggest asset. These are things that people lose sleep over – it’s a life-changing decision they’re making." His empathetic approach to his clients has brought him...

Amanda Gordon's voice is calm on the other end of the phone. It's a trait that is vital to her role in property management. Conflict resolution, and ensuring a good experience for both tenants and landlords is her aim, and she works every day to make that happen with her team of property managers at McIntyre Property Group. Amanda was...

Kellie Chalker-Hall grew up in Canberra and has lived in Tuggeranong for most of her life. Her qualifications are impressive, as was her 17-year career with Deloitte Access Economics. After she earned her Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Canberra and gained experience in various marketing positions, Kellie began working in marketing and sales with leading economist Chris Richardson,...

Fiona Ligertwood found her lifelong passion after a high school work experience placement in a dental practice. She studied in Perth, attaining her dental qualifications at Curtin University, and after marrying a military man, moved to Canberra around nine years ago. “As a high school student, like most 15-year-olds, I had no idea what career path I was intending on...

Ever since Andrew Ekert was a little kid, he had a passion for helping people through tricky situations. In high school, his love for music took up most of his time and he was determined to make a career out of it. "Music can be healing for people," he says. "You can put on your favourite song and forget about...

There has been more than a 60 per cent increase in cyber attacks on small-to-medium businesses during the past 12 months, according to Damien Samios from SOLVit. Damien is a local Canberran, who was raised in Lyneham, and he is the third generation of small business owners in his family, who is leading cyber defence for businesses in Canberra. SOLVit...

Podiatry, and podiatrists, are the health professionals you turn towards to treat anything to do with your feet, ankles, and lower legs. Podiatrists are trained in the treatment of ingrown toenails, pain caused by growth spurts and high impact sporting activity, diabetic feet, sports injuries, wound care and all kinds of conditions related to our feet, gait and posture. A...

What does it take to be rated among the top 50 real estate agents in Australia by Real Estate Business (REB)? Cameron Whitnall is one of them, and while he is proud of making the list, he's quite a humble guy. However, one thing is certain: he is a very good businessman who believes in giving back to the community....

Being a child of parents who are born overseas can often seem like a cultural juggling act. The desire to fit in at school while under pressure at home to continue the traditions and language of their parents can often create tension. Baker Deane & Nutt conveyancer Ida Lam was born and bred in Canberra, but the challenge for her...

Not many graduates set out to start a leading professional services firm, but that is exactly what Pat Quade and Anthony Wilson did back in 1999 when they started Synergy Group. Now the leading Canberra-based, Commonwealth-focused professional services firm employs more than 300 professionals to deliver consulting services across the government sectors. Pat says starting Synergy was a bold move...

When Toni Morrison is asked what she loves most about her job as an insurance broker at allinsure she hesitates, but only because there’s so much to love. Toni has been in the insurance broking industry for more than two decades and getting to the office every morning to help businesses with their insurance needs still floats her boat. “It’s...

On meeting Ross Norwood and Glen Dowse it's easy to see that this pair of award-winning architects has spent a lot of time together. But beneath the easy banter between them, a sharp-eyed dedication to both the practical and creative soon emerges. The founding partners of DNA Architects met at University of Canberra during a time, they say, when UC...