Wayne and Colleen are the definition of a power couple in the Upper Hunter. Wayne is the Manager of the Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) while Col is a Learning Support Teacher at Denman Catholic School – and that’s just the start.
While working full time, the pair invest the rest of their time in the local community promoting the Upper Hunter region through volunteering, hosting events and taking part in as many volunteer roles as they can.
As MCCI Manager, Wayne organises and manages events including the Great Cattle Dog Muster and TV & Movie Nostalgia Festival. He’s a big believer in promoting the Upper Hunter and is also as the President of the Upper Hunter Country Tourism Association as well as Editor of the Upper Hunter Country Magazine.
“I love the region. We moved here in December 2017 and never looked back. The rural aspect, the people and the sense of community is like nothing else,” said Wayne.
“One of the things that was obvious to us when we moved here was the sense of community. We felt it only natural to participate in that and keep it alive. Muswellbrook has been very good to us since moving here, so we felt we should do our part to repay that.”
Both Col and Wayne are active members of the Muswellbrook Rotary Club so you’ll find them both behind the barbecue at events, at meetings and out and about in the community. Col also volunteers at the Muswellbrook Riding for the Disabled, an organisation that provides opportunities for anyone with a disability to enjoy safe, therapeutic time with horses.
“The impact it has on the people who come is profound. We see young people come who are shy and apprehensive about the horses but after a couple of sessions they relax and you can see the connection they make with the animals,” Colleen smiled.
“It is so important that we all do our little bit to give back to our communities. If each of us contribute just a little, it may not seem like much but collectively everyone doing a little bit, when multiplied, has a huge impact.
“We are just doing our little bit, and we always encourage everyone to do the same.”
Wayne and Col are the perfect duo at local events, they complement each other. Wayne does the organising and you’ll find Col as a volunteer committee member at both the Great Cattle Dog Muster and the TV & Movie Nostalgia Festival.
Col and Wayne also give back to other local events, volunteering as judges at the Young Country Woman competition at the Upper Hunter Show and are both volunteers for the Young Farmers Challenge – Col as a coordinator and Wayne as one of the judges.
It’s those local events that are especially memorable for Wayne.
“Being so involved in the community there have been many memorable moments, but the Great Cattle Dog Muster is a bit of a standout. Seeing an event such as that come together and seeing everyone enjoying themselves is a real highlight.
“Knowing that so many people travel from around Australia and the world to come to an event in Muswellbrook is something that makes us very proud of the region.”
At the 2025 Muswellbrook Shire Council Australia Day Awards, Wayne was recognised with the Open Award which recognises community members who have made outstanding contributions to the Muswellbrook Shire.
The Great Cattle Dog Muster was also recognised for the Highly Commended Bush Spirit Award at the 2023 Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Tidy Towns Awards – further proof that their hard work has paid off and been recognised.
The work Wayne and his team does through the MCCI was recognised this year as well. At this year’s Business Hunter Awards, MCCI was inducted into the Business Hunter Hall of Fame. The award is in acknowledgement of sustained excellence and outstanding contribution to the Hunter Business community over many years and the first time an award of that type was presented to a local Chamber.
Wayne and Col’s contributions to the local community are far from over, so make sure when you see them out and about you say hello!
