By MATT NICHOLLS
ARMIDALE could be a regional centre for innovations, according to the city’s best and brightest businesses.
Fresh from cleaning up at the Northern Inland Innovation Awards, representatives from Armidale-based organisations ICT International, BackTrack Youthworks, Petersons Winery, Kylie Mitchell Designs and the University of New England gathered to discuss what made them stand out from the crowd.
They all agreed that Armidale’s diversity, based around the location of UNE and the strong agricultural sector, made the city an attractive place for tree-changers.
“People can really breathe in Armidale and that helps them be creative,” Susan Cull from ICT International said.
Petersons Winery owner Colin Peterson, who hosted Monday’s gathering with his wife Judy, said he took a gamble when setting up in Armidale.
“We thought 10 years ago that Armidale had the possibility of being a wine region,” he said.
“That is unlikely to happen, certainly not like the Hunter Valley, so we had to think differently.”
The Petersons saw the success of music concert A Day on the Green in Mudgee and pitched the idea of an Armidale festival to organisers.
“We thought it would be good for us, but we didn’t realise the positive impact it would have on Armidale,” Mr Peterson said.
“Now we are getting a lot of support from council because of that success.”
Armidale Dumaresq mayor Laurie Bishop said there were a lot of quiet achievers in the city.
“One of the keys to success is bringing ideas together,” he said.
“There are some businesses that are doing it tough, but others are thriving.”
