Harby Studios is a successful strategic marketing and communications consultancy with offices in Perth and Broome. Location proving to be no barrier, Harby Studios’ clients are based across metropolitan and regional Australia, as well as overseas.

Communications needed to be efficient and effective – which also meant a nimble team was required, in particularly how quickly strategic tasks and jobs could be turned around.

A big believer in taking a broader and more strategic approach to business, Rhianna’s motto is ‘Never guess’. She believes that it’s imperative that there is data, analytics, and strategy behind everything that Harby Studios delivers. Essentially, this ensures that marketing demonstrates value to clients, is more accountable, delivering better all-round outcomes for all.

Prior to her life as an entrepreneur, Rhianna worked as an independent marketing consultant for a number of government departments. A series of recommendations, referrals and support requests from colleagues, associated project teams, agencies and contractors saw Harby Studios emerge and evolve into the statewide consultancy it is today.

Working for major media organisations in Perth and relocating to the northwest (Kimberley and Pilbara regions) for over five years provided Rhianna with opportunities to gain first-hand experience and an in-depth understanding of varying regional and metropolitan lifestyles, industries and markets. It also ensured she developed a broad network of industry contacts across the state and country.

Building long-term, and trusted relations with clients, communities, stakeholders and friends around the country has proven invaluable and helps keep Rhianna, her team, and clients well connected with experts and creates a range of unique opportunities.

Rhianna believes that service quality in the regions is just as essential as in metropolitan Perth, and as such, Harby Studios is committed to delivering successful projects, offering meaningful strategic advice, and providing a much-valued service to a range of businesses and government departments.

On top of this work, Rhianna has demonstrated a philanthropic flare, with the creation of two additional businesses since 2015. Leeder House & Co is a coworking space in the heart of Leederville, just 10 mins from Perth, and sister site Cove Workspace in Broome, opened in 2022. These two business spaces provide modern professional office spaces for businesses and individuals to work from, grow and meet other business professionals.

From Rhianna’s time living and operating multiple businesses across both the East and West Kimberley, she has a deep appreciation of regional life. Rhianna currently resides in Broome with her husband Joel and their two young boys Alexander (6) and Theodore (4), and her SAFE foster and adopted dogs too.

We know that living in a small town like Broome can be isolating. Which is why community is so important, not only socially, but also in business. The whole family have integrated themselves into the Broome lifestyle, and Rhianna’s involvement in the community goes above and beyond her business – she’s a passionate volunteer for SAFE Broome and an active member and Surf Life Saver for the Broome Surf Life Saving Club.

Rhianna’s success in business truly goes beyond her marketing and communications expertise. At the heart of it, Rhianna is a genuinely caring person, and driven to deliver the best results for her clients.

Rhianna is proud to be joining RRR Network as an ambassador and can’t wait to meet more members, and wonderful men and women from the regions.

Ashleigh is currently an Agribusiness Manager at NAB, and loves that she gets to spend time with her clients on farm. She has always been involved in volunteering, and has led multiple teams to support local communities.

Ashleigh has a passion for supporting, guiding, developing and empowering women, particularly in leadership roles. Having had the benefit of strong female mentors to guide her through the industry, she hopes to be able to pass on some of her learnings to women in her community.

Ashleigh looks forward to connecting with different rural, regional, and remote women and learning their stories.

Toyah has developed a deep understanding of the distinct dynamics and challenges that regional organisations encounter. With nearly 20 years of experience supporting organizations in achieving community-focused objectives, she has a strong track record of making significant contributions in the sector.

Having dedicated over a decade to Local Government roles in Community Development and Preventative Health, Toyah is passionate about empowering Local Governments to build internal capacity, deepen their knowledge, and embrace their role in creating healthier communities. Her work includes developing and delivering strategic initiatives in Public Health Planning, AOD prevention, Disability Access and Inclusion Plans, Reconciliation Action Plans, and other Community Development initiatives. Toyah specializes in managing Preventative Health Initiatives, fostering partnerships, and executing community engagement strategies.

Known for her authentic collaboration style with stakeholders and her personalized approach, Toyah is committed to achieving strategic and meaningful outcomes for communities.

Toyah is an active volunteer in her community, splitting her time between supporting her two daughters school P and C, hockey club committee member, Board Member for Foodcore Nutrition Services and enjoys spending her time exploring the Pilbara region with her family.

Kate brings a wealth of diverse experiences to the Gascoyne, having lived and worked both internationally and on the east coast of Australia. Her personal journey reflects a commitment to regional Australia and the belief that strong female networks, like the RRR Network, are key to building resilient communities.

A strong believer in the power of collaboration, Kate works closely with local organisations to create pathways for enhanced community support and professional growth. She recognises the unique challenges of living in remote areas, such as the difficult decisions families face regarding education, health and career progression. Kate understands that while distance can be an obstacle, it also presents an opportunity for leadership and personal growth that is unmatched in city centres.

Kate works closely with local stakeholders to design and implement programs that improve social outcomes, particularly for young people and vulnerable groups, ensuring that the Carnarvon community is empowered to address issues from within.

If you’re looking to connect, share ideas, or seek guidance, reach out to Kate, the RRR Network Ambassador for the Gascoyne!

Her home is in a rural part of Geraldton with farms behind the property and ocean views out the front. “Every day can be different if you want it to be,” she expresses when asked what she loves about the Mid West. Even with the wide expanse of natural beauty abound, Jenna is not blind to the struggles of the region. The Mid West, like many other regions across WA, requires more equity in health and community services – and Jenna has made it a personal and professional mission to advocate for her region.

The various job titles and organisations listed on her resume exemplify her knowledge across women’s healthcare, mental health, community engagement, and education. While some question her reasoning behind taking on such diverse roles, Jenna is steadfast that the knowledge and networks she has built over the years are invaluable. She zigged and zagged to create her own opportunities for growth and shaped her own pathways across a region that was not always easy to navigate.

When she graduated high school, she recalls that anyone wanting to continue with tertiary studies had to move away from family and community. While the Geraldton University Centre makes it easier for some students to stay among their support networks now, the difficulties of access, opportunities, and practicum logistics remain.

She acknowledges the importance of formal education and qualifications for some, but Jenna also highlights the importance of learning from doing, collaborating with peers, and taking part in professional development opportunities.

It is fantastic to foster connections with the RRR Network and Women Inspiring Better Business in Geraldton, but Jenna believes that the women of the Mid West would definitely benefit from more consistent and appropriate professional development opportunities. They need to be accessible and designed from a “regional mindset” with a focus on “place-based learning”, Jenna suggests as we discuss the ideal components of professional development opportunities. The usual metro-centric ideologies at the core of most virtual workshops are often not relevant to the regional context despite their best intentions on making their services accessible to the regions.

Over the last decade, Jenna acknowledges that there has been progress in terms of local services and opportunities to develop professionally and personally throughout the Mid West. But – there is still a long way to go. While Jenna is solid in her foundations as a community advocate, she hopes that women in the region will be inspired to seek out connections, build their confidence, and take a chance on new opportunities. The beauty of the region stems from the idea that smaller communities have grown together through tightly-woven networks – Jenna’s hope is that women begin to use these networks and feel supported from leadership intent on lifting others.

With a community leader like Jenna who carries the blunt positivity of: “I see opportunity everywhere,” the long and winding path towards growth appears easier to navigate. How lucky is the region to have Jenna at the helm of advocacy for women as the RRR Network Regional Ambassador for the Mid West?

Now that her two children are becoming more independent as teenagers, Jenna is focusing more on discovery of self and career development. For the first time in a long time, Jenna can see something new and exciting in her future. Even if she is not quite sure what it looks like yet, she is driven towards a bigger advocacy role that would enable her to lead the change and solve problems for the Mid West region.

So, if you want to shape the future of your region or find connections and opportunities for collaboration, reach out to Jenna Denton – The RRR Networking Regional Ambassador for the Mid West!

Trying to do it all from home while raising her young family proved too challenging, a scenario that many regional people are still experiencing due to inadequate study spaces and supportive hubs in regional towns.

Tammee’s value of learning continued as she explored short courses and certificates with more practical rather than theoretical learning. Her adaptability led to diverse careers in the region, from working at a local supermarket and joining the P&C, to forming Data Divas with her business partner, which is undergoing the evolution from software to business analytics. Her journey, marked by continuous learning and personal rebranding illustrates the power in realising your potential and adapting when opportunities arise from challenges.

For Tammee, education is not a static milestone but a lifelong pursuit. With four children on varying learning pathways, the push for university education in high school is still mainstream. While the high schools in the region organise career pathway talks from the tertiary education sector, the armed forces, and other state government ran organisation, many students think that mining is their only viable option in the region. However, the need for innovation in STEM fields is apparent, as is the untapped potential for students to purse STEM opportunities facilitated through roles in the mining industry – it does not have to be the manual labour and truck driving of their parents’ generations. There is opportunity in the unconventional and Tammee advocates for more out-of-the-box thinking in the regions.

Beyond professional pursuits, community engagement became a cornerstone for Tammee. Volunteer work for St John Ambulance, a strategic role in advocating for change, and involvement in Local Government as an elected Shire Councillor underscored her commitment to making real-time impacts at the grassroots level.

When regaling her passion for community, Tammee recounted an unfortunate time when her husband experienced a cardiac arrest, but his primary health care was hindered as the town was without a GP. Tammee saw opportunity in necessity and rose to the challenge. She quickly became the leader that her community needed as she manoeuvred through the necessary channels in facilitating conversations with Local, State, and Federal Government, successfully helping to secure a GP for the town. The experience provided profound insights into the tangible difference small steps can make in the long term.

Tammee’s story epitomises the multifaceted journey of a regional woman navigating the unique challenges and opportunities in regional Western Australia.

As the RRR Network Regional Ambassador for the Goldfields Region, Tammee embodies the spirit of inspiring change. Her favourite quote, “Be the change you want to see” serves as her inspiration and as a rallying cry to action for her community and other regional towns across Western Australia. Tammee advocates for proactive community engagement, urging others to lead by example and initiate the change they wish to see in their communities.

With a call for leadership and a belief that small steps can lead to significant transformations, Tammee is an embodiment of resilience, diversity, and the unwavering spirit of regional people.

Growing up in Ireland on a farm and used to country living, relocating to the Wheatbelt from Ireland after marrying a man from regional WA was a natural fit and an easy adjustment to make. While enamoured by the fairytale scenery in winter, Enrika is acutely aware of the stark seasonal contrasts when the crops have been turned and the greens fade to dry browns; but – from the vast dead environments come the fields teaming with life once again. A region of contrasts and the ability to flourish from very little is one of the unique qualities of the Wheatbelt region.

Like the land, the communities of the Wheatbelt “take the bad with the good” as Enrika notes that while certain services may be under resourced, the innovation and diversity in the people help community overcome the obstacles. The creativity and resilience allow for reinvention in the region, an experience that Enrika is familiar with. She arrived as a qualified engineer working with large industry and is now self-employed with a business built on helping other small businesses and in particular women of the regions navigate the realm of small business. Admitting that engineering “wasn’t the right career path for me,” Enrika stumbled and diversified her skillsets, happening upon her passion almost accidentally. She now strives to help others be more strategic in their career paths.

Women in the regions often identify a need in their community and instead of waiting for someone else to solve a problem, they think I can do it – this is how so many small businesses are born. It may not necessarily be what they had initially dreamt about doing in their life, but it becomes the right fit. The innovation in this space is as astounding as the stories of the small business owners. Small business is all about lifestyle and connection as these businesses often become a meeting place for community and really serve the community, so it is not surprising that Enrika has developed a love of small business.

For the small businesses and the communities that they support and create to thrive, women need to have the opportunity and skills to step up as leaders in the region. Professional development opportunities must flow into the regions so women can find their confidence again, back themselves, and surround themselves with supportive organisations. Technical or book learning can usually be done remotely and individually, but the transferrable soft skills of communication, leadership, and dealing with people need to be face-to-face opportunities. Only when groups of people meet in person can they start to establish those authentic trust points and begin to build their networks.

The bravery to put down roots in the region and confidently take up space within the community is admirable. Enrika encourages women to create the communities that they want to live in and not to settle with “it is what it is” but rather to ask the right questions and step into things gradually. We can all do our bit and use our individual, diverse skills to ensure that everyone has a voice, everyone has someone to talk to, and everyone has an avenue to follow when they need help and support.

Women are wonderful at making it work across different roles with limited resources, but Enrika believes that this journey is better travelled with a strong network. “Joining the RRR Network was the best decision I’ve made for my networking.” Trying to navigate on your own in the regions can feel a bit isolating, but a supportive network where women can share stories and learn from each other is crucial. She recalls how the RRR Network event of Career Ready in the Regions was “so nourishing and fulfilling” not only because of the carefully curated content, but also mainly due to the face-to-face delivery and strong cohort of peers along for the journey.

Enrika hopes that every woman is able to achieve her potential in the regions; that they do not feel held back by their choice to live regionally. There will always be differences between the cities and the regions, but the differences can be the joy of the journey rather than the burden.

It’s a great time; there is an electricity in the air not just in the regions but across the world with women – and it’s a great time to be a part of the movement.

If you want to be part of the rising tide that lifts all boats, connect with Enrika Grogan, the RRR Network Ambassador for the Wheatbelt!

Matilda loves the work at Bailiwick Legal as it gives her the opportunity to be on the road, providing legal services to RRR communities across WA.

The role of a RRR Ambassador is important to Matilda as it puts her in a position to share the stories, the successes, and the challenges that RRR women experience living and working in RRR communities.

Matilda is excited for this role and for the opportunity to connect with more of the RRR Network.”

With 30 years experience in applied IT and 20 years partnering with NGOs, Associations and Not-for Profits, Leah enjoys her role as Data Translator and Solutions Architect, applying her expertise to scope and implement sustainable digital and business solutions, as well as managing and supporting her remote team.

Leah’s passion for providing career continuity and ongoing development to those who are marginalised from full-time employment options, has developed into a  distributed, agile team who are passionate about implementing the effective business and sustainable solutions.

Since its inception in 2016, Data Divas has expanded its Consulting-As-a-Service options to help fill client needs in sustainable business systems, including ESG strategies, as well as software, web development and IT systems support, and they are in the process of re-branding for this wider remit as Integra Businesss Consulting.

Leah is honoured to be appointed as the RRR Ambassador for Peel and encourages women in the large and diverse Peel region to get in touch for a conversation about their experiences.

After emigrating to Australia from England in the ‘80s, Anna completed most of her education while living in the peri-urban fringe of Brisbane. After graduation from university, Anna worked as a teacher and then Head of Secondary in regional and remote Queensland (Bundaberg and Cloncurry), before relocating to Western Australia in the late 2000s. Originally settling in Darkan in the Wheatbelt, Anna moved from education into the Community Resource Centre Network, and then transitioned to the Department of Regional Development with a move to Northam. In 2021, Anna and her family relocated to Busselton in the South West.

Anna is a proactive community member, having been involved in a broad range of volunteering and board roles over the years. These have included a business and economic development focus through to community focused groups, along with being a past Deputy Chair of the RRR Network. Anna currently is a member of the Community Engagement sub-committee of the Georgiana Molloy Anglican School’s School Council.

Anna’s professional and personal experience drives her commitment to advocating for opportunities for regional women and their families, along with identifying creative approaches to addressing barriers and inequities. Of particular interest to Anna is access to childcare, affordable housing, health services and financial independence for women – a tight fit with the objectives of the RRR Network.

From a business perspective, Anna has committed to building a business model that has supported her offering permanent employment to the BlueSalt team, along with flexible, remote working arrangements. As a consequence of this approach, Anna has grown a team of highly experienced women, largely based in the regions, and all with strong regional connections.

Anna shared, ‘As a RRR Network Ambassador, I’m keen to support women of the South West region and beyond to build strong networks and relationships, leveraging the opportunities to further enhance the experience of living in the regions. I’m honoured to be entrusted with the role of enhancing awareness of and connection with the RRR Network in the South West’.

While Rumeena appreciates the Federal Government investing in regional university centres about two years ago, the decision to place the centre in Albany does not remedy the systemic issues disadvantaging women and girls of the Great Southern region who had hoped to access training and tertiary studies.

Why does it seem like education is not a priority in the regions? If you’re contemplating it, graduate high school, enrol in the training course, or finish that university degree. Your education is something that you can always carry with you; something that no one else can take away. It is a financial safety net, a gateway to networks, and an opportunity to grow.
If we want education to be a priority for people in the regions, then we need to make education accessible to people in the regions.

Even with a university hub in Albany, those that live further than 30 minutes from the town centre face barriers like no transportation, limited student accommodation, and a housing availability crisis, all of which contribute to an additional financial burden to live and study from the region.

Rumeena, in her role as the Regional Ambassador for the Great Southern, hopes that the RRR Network can advocate for regional women to both State and Federal Government, and show that systemic community issues must be addressed and that grant money for regional education is spread out evenly throughout a region as geographically vast as the Great Southern.

Higher education, particularly university studies, is expensive enough on its own, but regional students have the added expenses of paying for additional internet data and travel and accommodation to towns to sit exams. Regarding the needed for skilled workers or experts in the regions, “We can’t say that you need to upskill but at the same time don’t facilitate an environment that enables that.”

Alongside education, professional development opportunities are also lacking in the Great Southern region. For professional women who already have tertiary qualifications or experience, the rare professional development courses in the regions are often pitched at a lower level or are a condensed version. For women in caregiving roles as well, they must travel to participate in high quality workshops, which means travel, accommodation, time off work, and organising the family are additional expenses.

For women in the Great Southern to upskill or diversify, high calibre leadership and empowerment workshops inclusive of the full wrap-around packages of travel and accommodation need to come to the Great Southern in two areas because of the size of the region – only then will regional access be equitable with its city or east coast counterparts. Face-to-face is the preferred delivery method as it allows for a real connection with peers, which the regions often miss out on when they click an online link to join instead of chatting over a coffee during the break.

Rumeena would like girls, young women, and women to “know the importance of education and higher education, and to have personal and financial independence as a woman and its importance in securing your personal safety and wellbeing and your future.” Her dream scenario is to facilitate a community of support structures so that from girls to women, they are supported to undertake a pathway to education and independence. She has seen too many young girls say that they don’t need to finish school because they just want to start working and making money. Rumeena questions why these young girls are putting a bar there for themselves and stopping themselves from achieving more. If girls have a support structure from an early age, then they will hopefully reframe their own narratives to include access to education and to actually proudly state that they want to achieve their goals without settling for second best.

A core supporter of access to education and opportunities for regional women, Rumeena hopes to increase the presence of female leadership in the region. A key step would be facilitating networking and mini professional development opportunities throughout the Great Southern in conjunction with the RRR Network. The empowerment of women would be at the centre of these groups along with upskilling in diverse areas and solidifying the crucial need for women to champion each other.

If these opportunities for connection and education bubbling beneath the surface in the region ignited a spark of curiosity in you, reach out to Rumeena Nizam, the RRR Network Ambassador for the Great Southern! When women empower each other, they are powerful!