FBA AU

FBA AU FBA is the peak body for family businesses in Australia and New Zealand, helping them to grow and thrive. Please read the following guidelines before posting.

Members are supported through tailored education and events, Forum Group Program, a community of like-minded peers and access to accredited advisors. Our purpose is to contribute to the long term success of family business. We do this by facilitating and engaging resources and channels that promote success and foster sustainability and longevity. Our programs and products are developed to build stronger families and healthier businesses. We provide access to specialist family, business and technical services and generate opportunities for families in business to learn and grow by networking and sharing with their peers. Community Guidelines

We take pride in keeping the FBA page respectful, pleasant, and enjoyable for members of all ages. You agree, through your use of the FBA page that you will not post any material which is knowingly false and / or defamatory, derogatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or permission for use has been obtained. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of FBA. Any user who feels that a posted message does not comply with the rules or the spirit as mentioned above may report the post to the administrator at [email protected]. The Administrator has the ability to remove messages from public view and we will make every effort to do so within a reasonable time frame if we determine that removal is necessary. This is a manual process however so please realise that we may not be able to remove or edit particular messages immediately. Self-Promotion is Spam. Our administrator will endeavor to try and read all posts on the page. If we catch questionable content, it will immediately be removed. Any post that is considered advertising for one's self-interests, including the promotion of a product or any site one is affiliated with will be removed. We request that you don’t post links to sites you run or are in any way affiliated with. Repeat violators who post promotional content will be permanently banned. Our community is an open resource for all ages. Language should be kept respectful at all times. Vulgar language is not allowed. This constitutes the use of any kind of offensive, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate material deemed distasteful and unsafe for younger members. Inappropriate language will potentially be removed and users will be warned. Do not post provocative, outrageous, or pointless messages only to get a response from others, i.e. "trolling." Repeat violators will be permanently banned. In order to maintain a positive atmosphere, no personal attacks or insults will be tolerated. While discussions may become heated, it is not an excuse to result to attacks or insults. There is a difference between a passionate, respectful discussion and one that delves into personal matters. Think of it as debating issues, not individuals. When the line is crossed, the discussion may be deleted by administrators and the users will be warned and potentially banned. Feel free to add a member to the page who is involved in any aspect of your Business, Family or Both. Show your support for the positive future of the Family Business in Western Australia here. pages have a search function at the top right hand side of the page in the shape of a magnifying glass. It is an easy way to search back on past threads for a particular topic and avoid duplicate topics. Lastly, if it is abundantly clear that a user has no intention of positively contributing to discussions, combined with an abrasive, combative attitude, they will be banned. Users must demonstrate an interest in contributing to discussions. We encourage you to think before you type as your actions may be quoted at a later date and outside of the page. This could potentially disadvantage the user and collaterally punish other users. If you have a problem or a complaint, direct it to the administrators, not on the page wall. We reserve the right to ban flagrant offenders when deemed necessary, with or without prior warning. The page rules, policies and disclaimers are enforced by FBA staff. You agree not to, in any form, abuse, harass, threaten, or descend upon administrators of FBA over issues relating to their duties. If you would like to discuss any aspect of the page rules or how moderation is conducted, please contact FBA at [email protected].

In this year's program we are exploring how to differentiate your business, building a memorable brand, transition betwe...
06/10/2026

In this year's program we are exploring how to differentiate your business, building a memorable brand, transition between generations and scaling. Through expert speakers and family business stories from our community, you'll walk away with fresh ideas to take back to your own business.

Session 1: Most family businesses are not short on quality. They are short on positioning. They compete on being good when they should compete on being different. Ashton Bishop shows how to fix that. Drawing on case studies from household-name brands to smaller family businesses that have scaled, he unpacks how to position as a challenger.

Session 2: Pepe Saya is a first-generation husband-and-wife business led by Pierre “Pepe” Issa and Melissa Altman. Together, they have built more than a premium butter brand - they have created a business grounded in craftsmanship, storytelling and a clear sense of purpose.

Session 3: In this session, father and son Bill and Christo Macartney share their own experiences of working together in the family business, alongside lessons gathered from the many family businesses they have worked with over the years. Through candid conversation and short video excerpts, they will explore what it means for the next generation to step into leadership, carry forward a founder’s legacy and maintain the culture and values that define the business.

Session 4: Hear from second-generation family leaders and siblings Kacy and Jayne, together with their Head of People, Culture and Compliance, Vanessa Cassel, as they share the realities of acquiring and integrating family-owned businesses. The session will unpack the M&A process, key learnings along the way, how they have supported employees through periods of uncertainty, and how they have balanced the perspectives and expectations of the senior generation while leading change.

Sydney Cricket Ground
Tuesday 27 October
11:30am – 6:00pm

Register today: https://bit.ly/4go9vqo

Not based in Sydney? Find details for your nearest Family Business Insights Conference here: https://bit.ly/4wEwBxF

In this year's program we are exploring lessons from a lifetime in business, inheriting a legacy, succession planning an...
29/09/2026

In this year's program we are exploring lessons from a lifetime in business, inheriting a legacy, succession planning and culture. Through expert speakers and family business stories from our community, you'll walk away with fresh ideas to take back to your own business.

Session 1: Few entrepreneurs have experienced the highs, lows and reinventions that Rick Hart has throughout his business career. In this candid conversation, Rick will share the lessons gained from a lifetime in business like recognising opportunities and taking risks, and handling uncertainty, failure, and reinvention. He will also reflect on what it means to build a legacy beyond financial success.

Session 2: Succession planning is not always about passing a business to the next generation. For some families, the right pathway may involve a merger, partnership or acquisition. In this session, hear from second-generation leaders, Luke Cousins, and Tim Tudor, as they share what motivated their families to pursue an exit pathway.

Session 3: In this session, husband-and-wife team Kim Lancer and Greg Yerkes explore the impact of change on individuals, teams and family enterprises. Drawing on their expertise in leadership, organisational change and human behaviour, they will share practical strategies to navigate generational resistance, gain employee buy-in, embrace new technologies, including AI and lead change with confidence and clarity.

Session 4: What does it really feel like to step into a family business that you didn’t build, but are now responsible for shaping? This conversation brings together next-generation voices to explore the personal side of family enterprise: the expectations, emotions and opportunities that come with carrying forward a family legacy.

Aloft Perth

Wednesday 20 October

11:30AM – 6:00PM

Register today: https://bit.ly/4qHskZ0

Not based in Perth? Find details for your nearest Family Business Insights Conference here: https://bit.ly/4wEwBxF

“SPAR isn’t just one family business, it’s a network of them.”Jo Jardin acquired SPAR Australia in 2011 after more than ...
28/09/2026

“SPAR isn’t just one family business, it’s a network of them.”

Jo Jardin acquired SPAR Australia in 2011 after more than 40 years in the supermarket industry, including more than 25 years with Coles Group and Metcash.

There are around 150 SPAR stores across Australia, with most run by families and many involving multiple generations.

Many of the stores are based in neighbourhood and regional locations, with some serving as the main supermarket in town.

Jo appreciates FBA as “Family business is different. The lines between business and personal are blurred, and decisions carry more weight… SPAR isn’t just one family business, it’s a network of them.” Jo values the connections made through FBA with other family businesses who understand the realities of working with family.

We spoke with Jo about SPAR Australia, the family businesses behind its store network and what she's learned about running a business with clarity and discipline.

Read their full story here: https://bit.ly/3V54GtK

In this year's program Family Business Insights QLD Conference, we are exploring automation and innovation, transferring...
22/09/2026

In this year's program Family Business Insights QLD Conference, we are exploring automation and innovation, transferring wealth across generations, sustainable team success and building something that lasts. Through expert speakers and family business stories from our community, you'll walk away with fresh ideas to take back to your own business.

Session 1: Join Xanny Christophersen as she shares the Stories and memories from her family business like riding along on cake deliveries with her Aunt Mal and leading the second generation of the family business today. Discover how Priestley's has balanced innovation and growth with the family values, quality and pride that have powered the business for more than 30 years.

Session 2: Conversations about wealth, inheritance and succession are rarely straightforward. Frith Hudson will share the story of Tremere Pastoral, and discuss how the family's wealth was created, how investment decisions were made, who was involved in those conversations, and the lessons learned along the way.

Session 3: Drawing on his ten seasons with the Brisbane Lions, Simon Fletcher will unpack how disciplines from elite sport translate directly into sustained team success in family businesses. In this session, participants will discover the foundational behaviours that create trust, accountability and alignment - the glue of high-performing teams and why a strong culture isn’t just nice to have, but the engine room of long-term success.

Session 4: Join brothers Anthony, Daniel and Chris O’Sullivan of Abbe Group as they share their insights from leading a third‑generation family business through growth, change and new opportunities. The brothers offer an honest look at the realities of evolving leadership across generations.

Emporium Hotel

Wednesday 13 October

11:30AM – 6:00PM

Book tickets today: https://bit.ly/4qOBXVN

Not based in Brisbane? Find details for your nearest Family Business Insights Conference here: https://bit.ly/4wEwBxF

21/09/2026

“FBA put us on track. I was determined to implement governance in our family, and it’s created a harmonious family environment to work in.”

Do you work with family?

We’re here to support you at every stage, connecting you with a community who genuinely get it. As an FBA member, you belong to that network and have access to learning, resources and support tailored to the realities of working with family.

“I’ve been able to build a great network around me. Not just for me, but for my son as well to meet 2nd, 3rd, 4th generation children of family businesses.”

Take a listen to what our members have to say about being part of the FBA community.

We are for families in business. At every stage. For every size. In every sector.

Learn more about how we can support you: https://bit.ly/3UWvZGw

A visit to Darwin quickly turned into the next business opportunity for Matthew Turnbull and his family.With a long hist...
20/09/2026

A visit to Darwin quickly turned into the next business opportunity for Matthew Turnbull and his family.

With a long history in the car wash industry and an existing car wash in Mt Isa, Matthew’s dad spotted an older Darwin car wash he believed the family could improve. Five months later, the renovations were complete and the new business was up and running, Car Wash Casuarina.

Today, Matthew runs the day-to-day business, with his dad helping on the technical side and his mum looking after the books.

The car wash is also home to two new touch-free automatic car washes imported from the US, helping set the business apart in the Darwin market.

For Matthew, joining FBA has also been a way to meet other people who understand what it’s like to work with family.

“It’s good to meet people who are going through similar things and to see how they manage their business.”

We spoke with Matthew about building the Darwin business with his family, what sets it apart and why clear communication matters when you work together.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4y5ET37

19/09/2026

Take a look back at a week of National Family Business Day events!

Across Australia and New Zealand we celebrated together at Meet the Owner events.

We made sushi, saw a chicken deboning demonstration, enjoyed delicious scones and jam, got a new perspective on recycling, and heard some incredible multigenerational family business stories.

A big thank you to Beerenberg, St Pierres Sushi, AGEM Property Group, Inglewood Farms and APR Recycling for opening your doors, sharing your stories and giving us a behind-the-scenes look at your businesses.

It was a brilliant way to celebrate the family business sector and the people who make it so special.

Do you work with family?Today, on National Family Business Day we are celebrating this incredible sector and acknowledgi...
19/09/2026

Do you work with family?

Today, on National Family Business Day we are celebrating this incredible sector and acknowledging that it’s different when its family.

There are high highs and low lows, decisions carry more weight and the relationships matter even more.

If you’ve ever thought, ‘is it just us?’, we’re here to tell you it isn’t.

Join a community that understands the unique pressures and the pride that comes with building a business with family.

We are for families in business. At every stage, for every size, in every sector.

Belong to a family business community who get it. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3UWvZGw

19/09/2026

Our WA Accredited Advisors are getting involved in the National Family Business Day celebrations!

Thank you to all the incredible Accredited Advisors for your support of the family business sector, providing invaluable guidance to family businesses, helping them grow and thrive.

FBA's Family Business Accredited Advisors are trusted professionals who truly understand the nuances of owning and operating a family business, and provide support and guidance tailored to those unique needs.

Collaborate in confidence and connect with an FBA Accredited Advisor: https://bit.ly/3TAbKep

Happy National Family Business Day!

19/09/2026

On National Family Business Day, it’s fitting to see the voice of family business receiving national attention.

FBA’s advocacy on the proposed changes to the taxation of discretionary trusts has been featured on page 3 of this weekend’s Australian Financial Review.

The coverage focuses on something we have been raising throughout the consultation periods. Family businesses need flexibility. Families change, people enter and leave the business, and succession arrangements evolve over generations.

These are the legitimate reasons why trust distributions change.

The proposed fixed distribution option does not provide enough flexibility to reflect the realities of operating a family business across generations.

As FBA CEO Catherine Sayer told the Financial Review:

“I understand the government has a concern over income splitting, but the major reasons family businesses structure through discretionary trusts are asset protection and succession planning. Family members come in and out of businesses over generations and it requires more flexibility.”

This is why advocacy matters. Family businesses need a strong voice in the conversations and decisions that affect them, and we will continue working to make sure that voice is heard.

Read our article and the Australian Financial Review coverage: https://bit.ly/4y6itPn

Address

Level 8, 5 Queens Road
Melbourne, VIC
3004

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+611800249357

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when FBA AU posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share