As two deeply committed human resource specialists, Anna and Mel of Kardia HR are excited by the transformation of the HR landscape on the NSW South Coast. However, they acknowledge that it hasn’t always been this way. 

“When I moved with my family here 10 years ago, the human resources capability of businesses on the South Coast was quite limited,” Anna recounts. “At that time, an online search for ‘HR Nowra’ yielded information about obtaining a Heavy Rigid Truck license!” Having specialised as an Executive Specialist in the Wealth Management industry in Sydney, Anna was surprised by the lack of HR resources in the region. 

“When I started my regional HR Coaching business, it was an eye-opener for many business owners to realise they could get the people help they desperately needed,” Anna adds.  

“I’ve been fortunate to work with great businesses that have been dedicated to making their workplaces the safest and happiest environments for their teams. Many of these businesses have grown so much over this time that they’ve been able to bring on full-time People and Culture roles—a fantastic achievement.” 

Mel’s experience reflects this growth. She spent eight years working in HR for a South Coast hospitality business, where she was the first person in that role and helped the business expand to nearly 100 team members during that period. “Working in a People and Culture role in a medium sized business is exciting because you get to know each employee personally—understanding their strengths, future aspirations, and then putting plans in place to help them and the business achieve their goals. It’s incredibly rewarding!” 

Today, the South Coast offers more and more career opportunities for HR professionals. This growth is fostering a network of people-centric leaders who are mentoring business owners and leaders across the region, elevating their leadership capacity and HR capabilities—a positive development for the entire community.