HunterNet

We help businesses grow, innovate and thrive – and we believe this begins with collaboration. By sharing ideas, developing capabilities, delivering support, and stimulating opportunities, we spark industry alignment, build strong work communities, unlock business acumen and create brighter futures for all.

Our Story

HunterNet was born out of adversity and necessity.

The recession, alongside the demise of shipbuilding and the pending steel industry crisis in the Hunter region in the early 1990s, forced many manufacturing businesses to look at where they were at and where they wanted to be.

Realising they needed to diversify to survive, a group of leaders got together to start sharing ideas and ensure quality, and they became our’ founding fathers’.

People were sceptical and even pessimistic about how a 'network' of supposed competitors could work.

Our beginnings were not without challenges. People were sceptical and even pessimistic about how a ‘network’ of supposed competitors could work.

However, after 12 months, we gained a clear understanding of what we were about and agreed on a co-operative structure with three goals: to develop capabilities, grow market opportunities and reduce the costs of supplying services.

Over the years, membership has thrived, leaders have come and gone, and the market has seen many changes. But through it all, we’ve stayed true to these goals and continue to champion teamwork and collaboration as the key to growth and success.

Because of our passion, size and clout, we’re lucky enough to have attracted some of the sharpest minds and largest businesses in industry to work alongside us.

What started as a service for our members has become a valuable and sought-after solution for organisations across the eastern seaboard.

We set up HunterNet Group Training (now HunterNet Career Connections) in 1996 as a value-add service helping businesses source, manage and develop high-quality apprentices, trainees and other early-career talents. What started as a service for our members has become a valuable and sought-after solution for organisations across the eastern seaboard.

We’ve also grown relationships in government and academia, a big part of the co-op from day one, including a great partnership with the University of Newcastle – the catalyst for the Hunter Future Leaders Program. We’ve even agreed MOUs with other co-operatives in Asia, NZ and Europe.

Today, we’re more like a niche consultancy rather than a simple networking group –and we’re very focused on what we do. There’s no other national organisation that mentors, supports, assists, and opens up opportunities in industry as we do.

We have and will continue to play a big part in regional, state and national industry, helping businesses thrive and bringing economic certainty and diversity to the Hunter Region with the input of great minds and diverse voices.

And we’re now helping other regions do the same.