Reflecting on the incredible 2025 PKF Australia Business Advisory Conference in Newcastle

Newcastle set the stage for a conference that blended learning, collaboration, and connection – delivering insights that will tangibly influence our Real Life.

Over three days, from February 5 - 7, Newcastle welcomed PKF professionals and industry leaders from across the nation to engage, collaborate, and be inspired. This year’s theme, “In Real Life” encapsulated the practical and tangible nature of the event. The focus to step away from our serious and important jobs and find those moments of joy and fun whilst engaging in useful and valuable learnings.

The conference kicked off on Wednesday afternoon with committee meetings for BAS and Tax, followed by welcome canapes and drinks at the historic Fort Scratchley. This setting not only highlighted Newcastle’s rich heritage but also allowed attendees to build connections in a relaxed environment overlooking Newcastle’s beaches.

Day 2: Learning, Empowerment, and Community Connection

The conference formally commenced Thursday morning at the Newcastle Town Hall with David Jamieson opening the day with a warm welcome, followed by Stacie Shaw’s introduction of this year’s innovative and collaborative agenda.

The day began with the dynamic Skildare session, which offered pragmatic insights into team management, legislative updates, and psychosocial considerations in 2025. It was a session designed to empower middle managers—arguably the linchpins of any organisation—and provide practical knowledge that could be immediately applied in our professional lives.

The next session was out of the box for an Accounting conference, presented by Declan Edwards, a Happiness coach & consultant who had full engagement from everyone in the room. Declan presented on why cultivating a positive workplace culture isn’t just a legal obligation but also a strategic advantage for recruitment and retention in a competitive market. The happiness that oozed from the conference following Declans session was apparent with emphasis on actionable takeaways resonating strongly with attendees, further amplifying the conference’s focus on practical learning.

The afternoon activities brought a refreshing change of pace. Attendees participated in a self-defence seminar led by Empower, fostering both personal confidence and team bonding. An ice-cream truck and a beach visit for touch footy and a stroll and swim underscored the importance of balance, well-being, and community—a core part of our culture at PKF.

Networking continued into the evening with an enjoyable dinner on the water at the Honeysuckle Hotel, where connections grew between offices across Australia and New Zealand, and ideas flowed over great food and drinks.

Day 3: Insights and Looking Ahead

The final day of the conference began with keynote speaker Mark Hughes, whose powerful story and mission inspired us to think about the broader impact of our work. The day continued with insights from sponsors like EFTsure and Chad Dunn of Westpac, providing valuable economic and technological updates relevant to our industry.

The team from Cecuri, showed us the importance of preserving and protecting our organisations with the ever-increasing reliance of digitised information. Showing us what we can do as a firm to keep our security standards at the highest whilst also understanding how we can protect our clients through health assessments and risk audits – an incredibly invaluable session.

A highlight of the day was the engaging client panel on succession planning, which provided a dual perspective from both clients and PKF professionals. This was followed by a deep dive into PKF Australia initiatives, including discussions on digital innovation and ESG strategies led by Lana, Don McLean, and Jim Allenby.

The conference wrapped up with afternoon tea and goodbyes, leaving attendees energised and equipped with practical tools and ideas to implement in their roles.

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

Newcastle proved to be the perfect backdrop for a conference that emphasised learning, collaboration, and connection. It’s evident the learnings delivered that will tangibly influence our Real Life, thanks to the thought that went into making the conference engaging, insightful with a sprinkle of fun throughout.