#MadeInWollongong
Business Leader Series
Bianca Perry and Sam Boardman, CEO & Chair at i3net
Advanced Manufacturing
"Part of our mission is to make sure that our people, businesses and our region is landmarked here in Wollongong for the rest of the world to see"
Bianca Perry and Sam Boardman, CEO & Chair at i3net
IW: Tell us about the network you’re running here in Wollongong
Bianca: i3net stands for the Illawarra Innovative Industry Network. i3net is an industry networking association for heavy industry in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions. We bring everybody across heavy industry together to hear about opportunities, projects that are happening in the region and network with each other. We provide an environment our local region wins that work so jobs can stay in our area.
IW: Who is i3net for?
Bianca: i3net is over 20 years old, we have over 110 members and partners representing over 25,000 employees in the region, from advanced manufacturing, steel making, mining, renewables, energy, waste, defence. These industries are part of the Illawarra’s DNA, and we have both traditional and high-tech businesses in the network.
IW: What is it like running a network like this in the region?
Bianca: We have an incredible business community here; they want to network, they want to learn and hear about opportunities, so leading this network is really special. So if you're looking for a connection, all you need to do is ask.
IW: What are you most proud of?
Bianca: The thing I'm most proud about is the growth that both i3net and our members have had over the last 20 years. i3net has had year on year growth and the reason for that is that the business community are really supportive of the network and want to see the network grow and flourish.
IW: Sam, what attracted you to i3net?
Sam: I joined i3net about two years ago through my role at Ventia Australia. I was inspired by how the network helps businesses build relationships and discover new opportunities and the network’s ability to generate its own opportunities. So I was inspired by the idea of growing and building those connections and the capacity of the network into the future.
IW: How is the industry evolving in Wollongong?
Sam: The industry has gone through an incredible amount of challenge and change over its lifetime. We’ve moved from more traditional steelmaking and manufacturing toward more diverse, modern industries. Rising energy costs and the shift to a greener economy has challenged us to change our carbon intensive processes. As part of that transition in the Illawarra, we’re looking at ways we can source that capability and capacity from our own people which is really exciting to be a part of.
IW: What do you think i3net does well?
Sam: One of the things I'm most proud of is the way that we partner as an industry group. Not only with local industry, but with advocacy groups for our region like Invest Wollongong. Part of our mission is to make sure that our people, businesses and our region is landmarked here in Wollongong for the rest of the country and world to see.
IW: What’s it like living and working in Wollongong?
Sam: Depends on the traffic! I live in Wollongong and my commute is about 10 to 15 minutes — even on a bad day. It’s a big contrast to working in Western Sydney, where I was often stuck in traffic for over an hour and a half each way. The shorter commute means more time with family, which really matters to me.
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Bianca Perry and Sam Boardman, CEO & Chair at i3net
IW: Tell us about the network you’re running here in Wollongong
Bianca: i3net stands for the Illawarra Innovative Industry Network. i3net is an industry networking association for heavy industry in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions. We bring everybody across heavy industry together to hear about opportunities, projects that are happening in the region and network with each other. We provide an environment our local region wins that work so jobs can stay in our area.
IW: Who is i3net for?
Bianca: i3net is over 20 years old, we have over 110 members and partners representing over 25,000 employees in the region, from advanced manufacturing, steel making, mining, renewables, energy, waste, defence. These industries are part of the Illawarra’s DNA, and we have both traditional and high-tech businesses in the network.
IW: What is it like running a network like this in the region?
Bianca: We have an incredible business community here; they want to network, they want to learn and hear about opportunities, so leading this network is really special. So if you're looking for a connection, all you need to do is ask.
IW: What are you most proud of?
Bianca: The thing I'm most proud about is the growth that both i3net and our members have had over the last 20 years. i3net has had year on year growth and the reason for that is that the business community are really supportive of the network and want to see the network grow and flourish.
IW: Sam, what attracted you to i3net?
Sam: I joined i3net about two years ago through my role at Ventia Australia. I was inspired by how the network helps businesses build relationships and discover new opportunities and the network’s ability to generate its own opportunities. So I was inspired by the idea of growing and building those connections and the capacity of the network into the future.
IW: How is the industry evolving in Wollongong?
Sam: The industry has gone through an incredible amount of challenge and change over its lifetime. We’ve moved from more traditional steelmaking and manufacturing toward more diverse, modern industries. Rising energy costs and the shift to a greener economy has challenged us to change our carbon intensive processes. As part of that transition in the Illawarra, we’re looking at ways we can source that capability and capacity from our own people which is really exciting to be a part of.
IW: What do you think i3net does well?
Sam: One of the things I'm most proud of is the way that we partner as an industry group. Not only with local industry, but with advocacy groups for our region like Invest Wollongong. Part of our mission is to make sure that our people, businesses and our region is landmarked here in Wollongong for the rest of the country and world to see.
IW: What’s it like living and working in Wollongong?
Sam: Depends on the traffic! I live in Wollongong and my commute is about 10 to 15 minutes — even on a bad day. It’s a big contrast to working in Western Sydney, where I was often stuck in traffic for over an hour and a half each way. The shorter commute means more time with family, which really matters to me.