A Path to Passion and Storytelling: Amanda Barwick (Fairholme Old Girl 1993)

Amanda Barwick’s path to becoming a leading voice in the rural industry is rooted in her formative years at Fairholme College, where she first experienced the power of connection.

As a Boarder from Inverell, the Boarding House not only became her home, but her community, which she says was instrumental in shaping her perspective on life. ‘The sense of belonging and support within the Boarding House was something I never took for granted,’ she reflects.

The friendships she formed and the experiences she shared with other Boarders helped her understand the importance of strong, close-knit communities—a value that has remained central to her work in the rural industry today.

‘I always felt very privileged to attend Fairholme,’ Amanda says. ‘The boarding experience, and the community I found there, have had such a lasting impact on me.’

Although she was always grateful for the opportunity to attend Fairholme, it wasn’t until she became a parent of boarding school children herself that she  truly understood the sacrifices her parents, Judy and Phil Frame, made. Two of Amanda’s three boys attend Toowoomba Grammar School, and she says she has gained a new perspective on the challenges and financial commitments involved in providing such an education. ‘I only now truly understand the depth of my parents’ commitment in providing me with an education and opportunities that I had at Fairholme. I will always be thankful for that.’

Now a key figure in the rural industry as the Director of Corporate Affairs at the Regional Australia Institute (RAI), Amanda says the close-knit boarding community sparked her connection to regional Australia and the rural industry. But as a 17 year old, it wasn’t always that way. After school, Amanda was determined to leave the country and move to the city, ready to experience a new lifestyle beyond the rural backdrop she had always known. Growing up in the country had shaped her, but she felt the pull of city life and the opportunities it offered. However, as her career evolved, Amanda found herself back in regional Australia, where she now works, balancing her professional life with the lifestyle she loves.

Looking back, she realises that living in regional Australia has given her the best of both worlds—access to urban opportunities, alongside the sense of community, peace, and connection with nature that only rural living can provide.

‘My dream was always to be a journalist, a television journalist,’ she said. ‘I recall sitting down with my Fairholme careers adviser and telling her that I wanted to be a TV journo. She suggested I might like to think about a career that provided more stable job opportunities.’ Taking this advice to heart, Amanda shifted direction, attending Queensland University of Technology to study a Bachelor of Business with aspirations of becoming an accountant. However, as her journey unfolded, Amanda soon realised her true calling lay elsewhere.

‘I switched courses in my second year of university and pursued journalism,’ she said. This change led to a successful career as a TV journalist in regional Australia, where her passion for storytelling truly took flight. Through her journalism work, Amanda connected with rural communities, telling their stories to a broader audience and building a career centered on understanding the people and places that define regional Australia.

Now, as the Director of Corporate Affairs at the RAI, Amanda no longer sits in front of a camera but continues to use her skills to tell powerful stories about the challenges and opportunities faced by rural communities. Amanda says her work at RAI is a culmination of her early experiences at Fairholme and her subsequent career, all of which have fueled her ongoing passion for rural issues. ‘My love of storytelling has always been at the heart of every job I have undertaken.’

As the Corporate Affairs Director, Amanda oversees RAI’s marketing, communications and brand. ‘We are a national think-tank, and through our research, we provide policy solutions to decision makers on issues affecting regional Australia – including housing, net zero, jobs, education, infrastructure, population, childcare, recruitment, wellbeing and health.

‘My favourite part of my role is speaking to regional Australians across the country and finding more about their challenges and opportunities. While regional Australia has many common themes, it’s not a homogenous place and every town and city has its own story to tell.’

Through her role at RAI, Amanda has had the opportunity to reconnect with Fairholme Old Girls on many levels. ‘As part of my role, I help manage our National Summit in Canberra. This involves many aspects, including the curation of the event. I was so chuffed to invite a Fairholme Old Girl – Victoria Anderson (1994) – to speak at our event last year,’ Amanda shares. Victoria, now the Deputy Secretary for the Small Business, Housing, Corporate and Law Group for Treasury, exemplifies the success and leadership of Fairholme alumni. Amanda takes great pride in these

connections, as she says they highlight the impact of the Fairholme community and its enduring presence in her professional life.

Aside from professional friendships and connections, Amanda’s closest friends are still from her Fairholme days. Her close-knit group of girlfriends - dubbed ‘The Famous Five’ at school - are her go-tos for support, laughter and advice, with their bond remaining strong after all these years.

Alongside Mikala Devine, Lucie Hall, Helen Malone, and Nat Cornes, the group’s bond first forged in the boarding house has lasted over 30 years. ‘Our friendship is something I am very grateful for.’

Amanda’s unique journey from a boarding school student at Fairholme to a leader in the rural industry underscores the lasting influence of community, education, and the deep bonds formed through shared experiences. Today, she is deeply involved in shaping the future of regional Australia, carrying forward the lessons learned from her time at Fairholme and the rural communities she’s so passionate about. ‘Everything

I learned at Fairholme, from the importance of community to the value of perseverance, continues to guide me in my work today. I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to give back to regional Australia, a place that has always felt like home.’