Remarkable Regional Business

Kate and Todd Newman, Todd Newman Builders (Part Two)

Remarkable Regional Business – Episode 42 (Part Two) 
Guests: Kate & Todd Newman
Business Name: Todd Newman Builders
Website: https://www.toddnewmanbuilders.com.au/
The building industry has changed dramatically in the last few years.
Construction costs have increased, regulations have become more complex, and homeowners are navigating a far more challenging environment than they were a decade ago.
In Part Two of this conversation on Remarkable Regional Business, Caleb Maxwell continues the discussion with Kate and Todd Newman from Todd Newman Builders in Bendigo.
With more than two decades of experience building homes across regional Victoria, they break down the realities behind residential construction and the challenges facing both builders and homeowners today.
The discussion moves into the technical and practical side of building, including the impact of modern energy efficiency standards, the complexity of renovations, and the importance of planning early in the building journey.
Kate and Todd also explain how strong relationships with subcontractors and suppliers help maintain quality across every project.
Topics Covered
/ The rising cost of building homesHow materials, labour and market conditions have reshaped the economics of construction.
/ The growing complexity of building regulationsWhat new standards like seven-star energy ratings mean for home design and construction.
/ Renovations vs building newWhy renovating an existing home can often be more complicated than starting from scratch.
/ The importance of early planningWhy builders encourage clients to discuss budgets, land and design before committing to a project.
/ The role of subcontractors and trade relationshipsHow long-term partnerships with local trades help maintain consistency and quality.
Watch Part One to hear how Todd Newman Builders started, the lessons they learned from rapid growth, and why they ultimately chose to scale the business back to a sustainable size.
// Links
https://www.toddnewmanbuilders.com.au/
 

Kate and Todd Newman, Todd Newman Builders (Part One)

Remarkable Regional Business – Episode 42 (Part One) 
Guests: Kate & Todd Newman
Business Name: Todd Newman Builders
Website: https://www.toddnewmanbuilders.com.au/
Most people assume a successful business should always keep growing.
Kate and Todd Newman learned that growth can sometimes create more problems than it solves.
In Part One of this conversation on Remarkable Regional Business, Caleb Maxwell sits down with the founders of Todd Newman Builders, a Bendigo-based residential building company that has been operating for more than twenty years.
The discussion begins with the early years of the business, when Todd and Kate started from a home office while raising young children and slowly built a reputation in the Bendigo building industry.
Along the way, an unexpected opportunity maintaining fuel stations across Australia created a commercial arm of the business that helped stabilise income while the residential side continued to grow locally.
The conversation also explores a major turning point for the company.
After winning Bendigo Business of the Year 2016, demand for their services surged. The business expanded rapidly, but the growth quickly stretched systems, staff and management capacity.
Kate and Todd share the lessons that came from that period and the decision that ultimately reshaped the business.
Topics Covered
/ How Todd Newman Builders started and grew in BendigoThe early years of building a reputation while running the business from home.
/ The unexpected commercial opportunityHow maintaining fuel stations across Australia helped stabilise the company financially.
/ Winning Bendigo Business of the Year 2016How the recognition triggered a sudden surge in demand.
/ When rapid growth becomes a problemWhy the business expanded faster than its systems could support.
/ The decision to scale the business backHow reducing the size of the operation ultimately created a stronger and more sustainable company.
This is Part One of the conversation with Kate and Todd Newman from Todd Newman Builders.
Continue to Part Two to hear their insights on the modern building industry, rising construction costs, and the realities homeowners should understand before starting a build or renovation.
// Links
https://www.toddnewmanbuilders.com.au/
 

Bonnie Phillips & Stefan Manche, Coulter Legal (Part Two)

Remarkable Regional Business – Episode 41 (Part Two) 
Guests: Bonnie Phillips & Stefan Manche
Business Name: Coulter Legal
Website: https://www.coulterlegal.com.au/
They rebuilt their whole office and the interesting part was not the design. It was why they refused to follow the open plan trend.
In Part Two of this episode of Remarkable Regional Business, Caleb Maxwell continues the conversation with Bonnie Phillips and Stefan Manche from Coulter Legal. The discussion shifts inside the business to explore how leadership works, how the firm approaches workplace design, and how modern law firms are rethinking the client experience.
Bonnie and Stefan explain how the director group shares responsibility while still maintaining client work, why their new office design prioritises focus and confidentiality, and how changes to pricing and intake processes are helping reduce stress for clients.
Topics Covered
/ Leadership structure and shared responsibilityHow the four directors divide portfolios, manage governance, and make strategic decisions without becoming overwhelmed by operational detail.
/ Balancing leadership and client workWhy maintaining client involvement helps leaders stay connected to the realities of the business.
/ Designing a workplace that supports better work Why Coulter Legal chose private offices over full open plan, and how their new Geelong headquarters was shaped through staff input.
/ Modern client experience How relationship first intake and value based pricing reduce client stress and provide greater certainty.
/ What makes a great lawyer Why rapport, empathy, and the ability to ask better questions often matter more than technical expertise.
/ Personal brand and community connection How lawyers are encouraged to develop their own professional brand while staying deeply connected to the regional communities they serve.
This is Part Two of the conversation with Bonnie Phillips and Stefan Manche from Coulter Legal.
If you have not listened to Part One yet, start there to hear the full story of how the firm grew to where it is today.
// Links
https://www.coulterlegal.com.au/

Bonnie Phillips & Stefan Manche, Coulter Legal (Part One)

Remarkable Regional Business – Episode 41 (Part One) 
Guests: Bonnie Phillips & Stefan Manche
Business Name: Coulter Legal
Website: https://www.coulterlegal.com.au/
So we were talking about why some firms grow and others fall apart… and honestly it usually comes down to one thing. Not strategy. Not marketing. Just whether they actually have the right people in the room.
In this episode of Remarkable Regional Business, host Caleb Maxwell sits down with Bonnie Phillips and Stefan Manche from Coulter Legal in Geelong. With offices across Geelong, Torquay, Barwon Heads, and Melbourne, Coulter Legal has grown into a mid sized firm of more than eighty people while staying deeply connected to the communities it serves.
Bonnie and Stefan share how the firm has grown through major workforce change, including rapid expansion during COVID and the shift to hybrid work. They unpack what it takes to scale a professional services team without stretching people to the point where quality slips, and why hiring for culture is often more important than hiring for technical ability.
Topics Covered
/ Growing from Geelong to a multi office firm across Victoria How Coulter Legal expanded beyond its regional roots while maintaining strong community connections.
/ Hiring for cultural fit and capability Why recruitment is treated as high stakes, and how cultural alignment protects both team wellbeing and client outcomes.
/ Scaling a legal practice sustainably How the family and relationship law team grew from four lawyers to around thirty while maintaining service quality.
/ Building systems that support people and clients How resourcing, support staff, and pairing senior and junior lawyers helps manage workload and maintain standards.
/ Leading culture in a hybrid workplace How communication rhythms, team meetings, and intentional connection help maintain culture across multiple offices.
This is Part One of the conversation with Bonnie Phillips and Stefan Manche.
Go to Part Two next to hear how the firm approaches leadership, workplace design, and modern client experience.
// Links
https://www.coulterlegal.com.au/

BBEA 2025 Limited Series - Creative Industries Winner - Hebron Films

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025
Awards Category: Creative Industries 
Business Name: Hebron Films
Presented to: Caleb Maxwell
 
// About the business
Hebron Films is a boutique Bendigo-based video production and storytelling studio that helps regional businesses grow with strategic, high-value video content. They partner with companies and marketing teams to craft creative films backed by clear strategy—bringing stories to life that attract attention and drive results. Known for personalised collaboration, they handle everything from concept to production, delivering engaging videos that elevate brands on the world stage. 
 
// Links
https://hebronfilms.com
https://bbea.com.au/

BBEA 2025 Limited Series - Health and Care Award Winner - 3D Physiotherapy Health Group

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025
Awards Category: Health and Care Award
Business Name: 3D Physiotherapy Health Group
Presented to: Julie Sheahan
 
// About the business
3D Physio Health Group is a purpose-driven physiotherapy and wellness clinic in Bendigo and Boort that goes beyond pain relief to help people move better, recover faster and live stronger. Their personalised care uncovers root causes, builds strength, and boosts confidence through evidence-based treatment, exercise programs and rehabilitation. With friendly physios and tailored plans, they support injury recovery, pain management and long-term health for every body.
 
// Links
https://www.3dphysio.com.au/
https://bbea.com.au/

BBEA 2025 Limited Series - Climate Leader Award & Social Procurement Award Winner - Flash Farm

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025
Awards Category: Climate Leader Award & Social Procurement Award
Business Name: Flash Farm
Presented to: Kristy Kemp
 
// About the business
Flash Farm is a farm-based allied health service near Myers Flat, Victoria that uses nature, animals and evidence-based therapeutic approaches to support people’s wellbeing, skills and confidence. Founded from a vision that connection with animals can enhance therapy, Flash Farm offers individual and group programs—like life skills, social development and horticultural activities—framed around personalised, experiential learning to improve mental health and life outcomes.
 
// Links
https://www.flashfarm.org/
https://bbea.com.au/

BBEA 2025 Limited Series - Young and Professional Award Winner - Shaun Stephenson (Beck Legal)

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winner 2025
Awards Category: Young and Professional Award
Business Name: Beck Legal
Presented to: Shaun Stephenson
 
// About the winner
Shaun Stephenson is a senior associate at Beck Legal in Bendigo and the 2025 Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Young and Professional Award winner. A commercial lawyer specialising in mergers, acquisitions and succession planning, Sean is recognised not only for professional excellence but for his deep commitment to mentoring, education and community leadership—reflecting Bendigo’s culture of developing talented young professionals who give back and help others thrive.
 
// Links
https://becklegal.com.au/asset-protection/meet-our-team-shaun-stephenson/
https://bbea.com.au/

BBEA 2025 Limited Series - Not-for-profit Award Winner - Bendigo Theatre Company

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Not-for-profit Award Winner 2025
Awards Category: Not-for-profit Award
Business Name: Bendigo Theatre Company
Presented to: Vern Wall
 
// About the business
Bendigo Theatre Company is a long-running community theatre organisation in Bendigo, Victoria dedicated to producing high-quality live theatre that entertains and engages local audiences. Since 1952, it has staged a wide range of musicals, dramas and productions while providing opportunities for performers, creators and behind-the-scenes volunteers of all ages. The company also fosters youth involvement through its Tribe Youth Theatre program and nurtures local theatrical talent.
 
// Links
https://www.bendigotheatrecompany.org.au/
https://bbea.com.au/

BBEA 2025 Limited Series - Customer Focussed Award Winner - A L Parker Electrical

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025
Awards Category: Customer Focussed Award
Business Name: A L Parker Electrical
Presented to: Adam Parker
 
// About the business
Al Parker Electrical is a local, award-winning family-run electrical services business based in Bendigo, Victoria. Founded by qualified A-Grade electrician Adam Parker, the team delivers reliable, safe and high-quality electrical solutions for homes, businesses, new builds and renovations across Bendigo and surrounds. They’re known for clear communication, professional workmanship and dependable service—from everyday repairs to solar, EV chargers and full installations. 
 
// Links
https://www.alparkerelectrical.com.au/
https://bbea.com.au/