Celebrating 5 Years of Newcastle Virtual Assistants!
We are turning five! What an incredible journey it has been!
Tonight, we will raise our glasses to five years of friendship, support, and community. We will toast to the memories we've created and the milestones we've achieved together.
Our Journey so far…
We, Jane and Adrienne, founded Newcastle Virtual Assistants in February 2019 with a clear mission - to foster greater community engagement, social inclusion, and wellbeing while supporting the VA community in Newcastle and surrounding areas. Through a lot of blood, sweat, tears, laughter and fun we went about providing a platform for VAs to connect, learn, and thrive through a variety of initiatives such as monthly events, workshops, and an annual conference.
At our core we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where VAs, businesses, and industry partners can connect, collaborate, and thrive.
Milestones and Achievements…
In just five years, we have transformed from a small group of two to a thriving community of over 220 members! We believe this growth is a testament to the value and impact of our group within the Newcastle community and we couldn’t be prouder!
On our journey we've been honoured with working closely with others in the Virtual Assistant industry too! We have been recognised for our contributions to the VA industry, with accolades such as the Seed VA Australian Inspirational Virtual Assistant of the Year won by Jane, and the Virtual Assistant of the Year at the Australian Admin Awards won by Adrienne. We have had awesome opportunities to sponsor industry awards, speak at national Virtual Assistant events, and collaborate with industry partners to elevate the VA industry too.
We have been dedicated to highlighting our local Virtual Assistant community to take a significant role in supporting local businesses, having supported over 55 local business so far!
We have facilitated over 100 events for members, including coffee catchups, networking sessions, coworking opportunities, and branding shoots too!
Community Impact of Newcastle Virtual Assistants
We love that we have made a significant local impact in Newcastle and strive to be a beacon of support, empowerment, and collaboration for Virtual Assistants in the region and beyond.
It has always been our aim to leave a legacy that positively impacts the VA industry for years to come. Through our passion and personal experiences as VAs we hope to create a community where no one feels alone, and everyone is encouraged to succeed.
Here are some heartfelt testimonials from community members:
“You're doing an amazing job with this community! You both put so much heart into NVA” – Jessica Dixon
“I love the support, and being around like minded women! The NEWVAC conference was incredible! Jane and Adrienne, thank you so much for making this group, it really is fantastic, especially for new VA's like me who were sitting on the fence and unsure if it was time to take the plunge xx” – Catherine Mason
“I love being able to work in my own business but not feel like I'm doing it all by myself! The feeling of connectedness is vital to me (a little bit of a social butterfly) even though I can't make the in-person catchups very often now. I think you're amazing, I miss seeing you in person, and I hope you're doing well. What you've built is wonderful, I've met the most beautiful people in this community (not least the two of you!!!). Thank you for being so generous with your time, your knowledge and your energy - you work so hard for us and I want you to know how appreciated you are.” - Kirsten Smith
“Newcastle Virtual Assistants are a friendly and fun group open to share ideas and experiences and not see each other as "competitors". Thanks ladies, you're doing lovely work in the VA space, especially for the Newcastle region.” Mel Clarke
“I like feeling celebrated, supported and championed no matter what stage of building our business we are, and always having others to ask questions! I just want to say how thankful I am for the network and for the way you both get behind everyone, doing whatever you can to help others succeed!” - Riana Prigg
“I like the community, it is so great to have other VA's to chat to and discuss life as a VA, get suggestions and ideas and feel like I have colleagues” - Caroline Booth
“I've only attended one coffee catch-up so far but it felt like I finally found a community of like-minded business owners. It's also been a great experience these last few months being part of the FB group. Thank you Jane and Adrienne for all the work you do supporting the VA industry. I want to thank you both for welcoming me into the community. Thank you for the support these last few months and I look forward to being a continued part of the VA community in 2024. Thanks Jane and Adrienne.” -Naomi Chambers
“I like the community support, opportunity to meet either face to face or online for events, and informal catch ups. I absolutely appreciate the work of both of you to create this community and continue to provide value to members!” - Lyndel Baker
Jane’s Insights…
"Reflecting on our 5th birthday, my journey as a VA has been nothing short of life-changing. You all know how passionate I am about this industry and my dream to creating a more professional, inclusive, and navigable landscape for fellow VAs. Becoming a VA wasn't just about a job for me—it was about crafting a brighter future against all odds. And now, I'm thrilled to pay it forward to our incredible community. I absolutely love being a part of this journey with all of you! I love contributing to our community and welcome everyone with open arms, cheer them on every step of the way, and celebrate their wins like they're my own. The impact we've made with Newcastle Virtual Assistants has been beyond words—humble, deeply fulfilling, and truly the highlight of my career. Here's to many more amazing years ahead!”
Adriennes Insights…
“As a working VA, this community has been an amazing resource for me. Knowing you can always jump in and ask for guidance. Knowing there is a regular face-to-face opportunity to connect with other people who get what you do. Knowing that on the tough business days there are people cheering you on. Priceless! I am really proud of what we have created.”
Highlights…
We thought we would take this opportunity to reflect on our incredible journey so far. To say that we have exceeded our expectations is an understatement!
Our highlight reel:
Growth in Membership: From humble beginnings with just two members in February 2019 to reaching a milestone of 227 members by 2024.
Award-Winners: Both of us, Adrienne Donnelly and Jane Ekholm, have earned prestigious awards such as the Australian Inspirational Virtual Assistant of the Year and the Virtual Assistant of the Year at the Australian Admin Awards.
Industry Collaboration: We have continued to collaborate with industry partners to raise the profile of the VA industry.
Dedicated Support: Over the past five years, we have hosted over 100 events for members, including networking sessions, coworking opportunities, coffee catch-ups, planning days, and branding shoots.
Our highpoint is creating and organising the last two “sold out” Australian VA Conferences in Newcastle (NEWVAC)! These were career highlights and the participants agreed!
Supporting Local Businesses: We have supported over 55 local businesses and generated numerous client leads for VAs in the community. By bridging the gap between local businesses and skilled VAs, we have contributed to the growth and success of businesses in the Newcastle region.
Knowledge Sharing and Engagement: Through countless webinars, podcasts, and speaking engagements, we have been at the forefront of knowledge sharing and industry engagement.
Unwavering Support and Friendship: It goes without saying that we are all about friendship and support, and genuine connection! From countless support phone calls, advice and mentoring sessions to shared laughter and tears, we hope we are more than just a professional network – but a community built on trust, friendship, and mutual respect.
Our Final Thoughts…
As we celebrate our 5th birthday we look ahead with a focus on nurturing our community, supporting members, and making a positive impact in the VA industry.
Cheers to five years of empowerment, collaboration, and growth, and here's to many more years of success for Newcastle Virtual Assistants!
