Meet Jake Ellis, or Soul as he is known in the business world.
The 21-year-old Lake Macquarie man has an entrepreneurial streak and desperately wanted to build his own business. But there were two main barriers stopping him: Jake has autism and severe dyslexia.
"With the dyslexia, just not being able to read and do maths and stuff like that, that's a massive hurdle and you need quite a lot of assistance doing that," he told the Newcastle Herald.
"With the autism, you have issues ranging from social; talking to people, connecting. But then also it could be just down to understanding how to market to people similar to your age or who you're targeting because maybe their interests aren't aligned with how you think."
This is where the Life Without Barriers' employment pathways program steps in. It offers practical support including help creating a business plan, setting up a business bank account, getting an ABN, making phone calls and accessing services, such as an accountant.
The program also provides a coach who advises on business development after launch and the next steps to achieving business success.
With the help of the pathways program Jake launched Atomic Soul, an online store which sells clothing, hats, shoes, swimwear, coffee mugs and more, all featuring the work of local independent artists, many of whom are also neurodivergent.
"Their work reflects different ways of thinking and seeing the world that don't often get space in mainstream fashion," he said.
"I find that a lot of big retailers tend to produce very 'cookie-cutter' designs - the same styles, the same trends, repeated. I wanted to do something different. I like geometric patterns, unusual shapes, and designs that don't feel so mass-produced.
"This brand lets me and the other artists experiment with different designs."
The business operates by allowing the artists to use the Atomic Soul platform to sell their work. Each artist retains ownership and credit for their designs, like a collective.
"Using neurodivergent artists wasn't something I sat down and deliberately planned," he said.
"It happened naturally. I tend to connect with people who think similarly to me, and over time I realised that many of us were autistic or neurodivergent. It made complete sense to lean into it rather than shy away from it.
"Traditional employment is often inaccessible for people with anxiety, sensory processing issues, ADHD, or difficulties with reading and writing. This business became a solution to that, both for me and for others. It offers flexibility, creativity, and a way to contribute without forcing people into environments that don't work for them."
Check out Jake's platform at atomic-soul.com. Information about the pathways program can be found on the Life Without Barriers website.
The state government has selected the University of Newcastle's women founders program called FLIP to scale statewide.
NSW FLIP is a cohort-based innovation program for women at different stages of the founder journey.
The program is free and delivered virtually, combining practical workshops and coaching with a community of experienced women who have become founders, or are in the middle of delivering their own ideas to market.
It will help women test, shape and validate their concept and move from "I have an idea" to "I know whether this idea is worth pursuing".
Applications are now open and close on July 19. Apply at newcastle.edu.au/nsw-flip.
The program is being delivered in partnership with the University of New England and Charles Sturt University and backed by the NSW Government's diversity pre-accelerator program and the MacDougall Foundation.
From first aid to storm response, a group of teenagers across the state got hands-on experience as part of this year's NSW State Emergency Service (SES) youth internship program.
The program invites 15- and 16-year-olds to deepen their understanding of emergency preparedness through hands-on demonstrations with experienced SES volunteers. While the students are gaining life skills, the program is also proving to be a valuable pathway into volunteering, with more than 31 school-aged students signing up to join the NSW SES ranks fulltime since its launch in 2023.
"It's fantastic to see so many young people joining our ranks. It shows just how successful the internship program has been in encouraging the next generation to step up and serve with their communities," NSW SES Commissioner Mike Wassing said.
"We are committed to supporting these young people to build the skills, confidence and leadership that will shape the future of the NSW SES and other volunteer emergency services.
"By investing in the next generation of volunteers, we're building stronger, more resilient communities and remaining prepared to meet the challenges of increasingly complex emergencies."
For more information about the program, or to apply, contact your local NSW SES Unit or email experience@ses.nsw.gov.au
NOVA Cruises celebrated its 20th anniversary with a Matt Hall Racing flyover and "tugboat ballet" at Lee Wharf on Newcastle Harbour last week.
It was a fitting location for the celebratory event, given the business has been showcasing the harbour since 2006.
As part of the celebrations, Nova Cruises officially unveiled and christened a new vessel with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and traditional champagne christening.
The vessel's name, as voted by the public, is NOVA Spirit.
NOVA Cruises owner Peter Hanrahan said reaching the 20-year milestone was a proud achievement for his family-owned business.
"Twenty years ago we set out with a vision to give people a unique perspective of Newcastle Harbour. Since then, we've welcomed thousands of locals and visitors aboard and have been privileged to share the stories, history and beauty of our remarkable harbour," he said.
"What began as a local family business with one vessel has grown into a variety of different experiences, from lunch or dinner cruises on Lake Macquarie and Newcastle, to whale-watching and the enjoyment of the eco-diverse Hunter River.
"We're incredibly grateful for the support we've received along the way."
NOVA Cruises has welcomed thousands of passengers aboard its cruises over two decades, offering experiences that highlight Newcastle's industrial heritage, stunning coastline, wildlife and ever-changing harbour activity.
Global service provider Kent has secured a new contract to deliver Orica's 50MW Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub at Kooragang Island.
Under the new contract, Kent will lead the final stages of engineering design, deliver the procurement of equipment and materials, and support the construction activities.
The first-of-its-kind project will produce commercial-scale renewable hydrogen via electrolysis using recycled water and grid-connected electricity, supported by renewable energy. It will decarbonise Orica's existing ammonia operations in the Newcastle industrial port precinct.
"Projects like the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub demonstrate how the hydrogen sector is moving from planning to delivery," said Carl Titchmarsh, senior vice-president of APAC at Kent.
"Having supported Orica from front-end engineering design [FEED] through to investment decision, we're now focused on helping bring the project into execution. It's a testament to the strength of our relationship with Orica and our ability to provide continuity across the full project lifecycle, combining engineering expertise with practical delivery to help turn ambitious decarbonisation goals into operational reality."
