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How our strategic work internally, pays dividends externally

At Primary, hard work and strategy form the solid foundation of everything we do — whether that is in the office, on the road, or in conversation. It fuels our creative thinking, sharpens our focus, and helps us deliver clear, actionable insights that MakeGreatThingsHappen for our clients and partners.

In our 35th year, we remain committed as ever to constant growth – personally, professionally, and as a team – and that means never standing still, looking at how to innovate and best integrate new technology. So, it was a pleasure to spend the day in a Strategic Workshop in Sydney with  Amanda Little, exploring many aspects of our industry, including the role of agility in strategic thinking.

Among some of the big questions we unpacked on the day were:
1) At what point should your strategy evolve?
2) How to ensure we’re solving the right problem?
3) The ideas on how to tell an even more compelling story.

As the boundaries between marketing, PR, GR, and creative communications continue to blur, the intersection of strategy and creativity has never been more vital.
Celebrating35Years

Primary celebrates 35 years driving success for our clients and partners

This month, Primary Comms Group proudly marks 35 years of driving successful outcomes, helping our clients stay ahead of the game by teeing up winning strategies.

From navigating challenging terrains to landing the perfect approach, we’re proud to support our clients and partners Australia-wide with precision, purpose, and passion.

We bring together expertise in strategic communication, government relations, creative design, and community engagement – all under one roof – and we’re proudly 100% Australian owned. This year, we’re already well on course for another strong round of results, partnering on 54 (and counting) client projects.

Over the past 35 years, we’ve remained fiercely independent, with our unique partner-owned structure leading a team of experts. Creativity, strategic insight, and lasting relationships are at the heart of everything we do.

To celebrate this special milestone, (pictured above) the team gathered at our Sydney Head Office to first tee off with a delicious cake, then really got into the swing of things at a golf driving range before finishing it off with a round of pizzas.

We would like to express our thanks to all who have been part of this wonderful journey – staff, partners, clients and colleagues from across the years.

If you’d like to make an enquiry, drop us a line at primary@primarycommsgroup.com.au or call +61 2 9212 3888.

Here’s to the next 35!

#WeMakeGreatThingsHappen #HappyBirthdayPrimary #35YearsYoung

National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day 2025

Today is National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day, a time to remember and honour those who have lost their lives to domestic and family violence.

It’s estimated that 1 in 4 Australian women have experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member since the age of 15. The impact of this violence is devastating, with long-lasting effects on victim-survivors, families, and our entire community.

At Primary Comms Group, we stand in solidarity with all those affected. We’re committed to using our voice to raise awareness and support the push for lasting change.

If you or someone you know needs support, help is available by calling 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for 24/7 confidential support.

Let’s remember, reflect, and recommit to ending domestic and family violence and together we can build a safer, more respectful community. LightACandle2025

Getting down to business: celebrating 25 years since Sydney 2000 in run-up to Brisbane 2032

It was great to spend some time with our friends at Business Sydney at Doltone House recently for the Our Golden Olympic Opportunity luncheon, celebrating 25 years since the Sydney 2000 Games and looking ahead to business connections for corporate Australia into Brisbane 2032.

The Primary team of Chris Hall, Lindsay Toussaint, Jackie Lloyd, Craig Regan and Frank Coletta took the chance to catch up with some old and new colleagues and quite a few famous faces including one of the greatest swimmers of all time, Kieren Perkins (pictured above with the Primary representatives).

The 250-strong crowd of Olympic champions, political leaders and corporate executives heard a stirring account of Olympic Games legacy from NSW Deputy Premier, Prue Car after the introduction was delivered by Scentre Group CEO, @elliottrusanow. The audience listened intently to two panels – the first Impact 32 – A legacy plan for Brisbane and beyond and the second Olympic Opportunity – Harnessing home games potential.

There was a final note of thanks from AOC CEO, Matt Carroll, including an acknowledgement of another job well done by Business Sydney and Paul Nicolaou.

Work re-starts for Albo after historic election win

Returned Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had the tone right in his Federal Election victory speech on Saturday night. He was grateful and humbled. His comments were positive and he urged colleagues to be magnanimous in victory.

That last part goes out the window in the first Question Time after Parliament resumes in a few weeks. It will play out like this:

The Governor-General’s speech (written by the incoming government) will outline the Government’s agenda. A new Speaker will be elected and escorted to his or her chair with mock reluctance.

The Government will introduce its first legislation, making clear its solemn intention to deliver every promise made in the campaign. Then the public humiliation of a decimated Opposition in Question Time will begin.

What’s it like to be a returned government-in-waiting? The emphasis is on “waiting”. Unless you’re part of the leadership group, it’s all about letting the count of undecided seats finish and seeing what the PM does.

The public servants have completed briefing packs for incoming or continuing Ministers. These “Red Books” translate election promises in to “to do” lists. The PM will put Ministerial place cards onto chairs after considering the factional, gender and geographical make-up of his whopping majority.

Good performers need to be rewarded and potential challengers must be kept busy or at a distance. The indicators point to minimal change in the Ministry, but expect new blood to come into the ranks as part of a renewal process. It always happens.

The media post-mortems on the botched Opposition campaign have been landing like cluster bombs since Saturday night. All eyes will be on the Liberal Party Room for the election of a new Leader to a job that nobody genuinely wants.

Horse trading with the National Party for a new Coalition Agreement and Shadow Ministries starts after that. The Nats will put a shot across the Liberals’ bows just to make it clear that they’re nobody’s patsies and the disastrous result was not really their fault.

Proudly partnering The Aquas 2025: Saluting excellence in water safety and inclusion with RLS

It was an honour for the Primary Comms Group team to both support and attend The Aquas at Le Montage in Sydney – Royal Life Saving’s premier event celebrating excellence across the aquatic industry.

This night of nights recognised the outstanding contributions, dedication, and efforts of individuals and organisations in drowning prevention and the promotion of aquatic participation. With 14 award categories presented, we were especially proud to sponsor the Excellence in Cultural Diversity award, which was deservedly won by Ennia Jones from A Splash of Colour Swimming (pictured).

Congratulations to Michael Ilinsky, CEO of Royal Life Saving NSW, and the entire RLS team for delivering such a memorable event. Michael is pictured with Australian Olympian Sam Fricker, Roy Butler MP (Member for Barwon), and our own CEO, Chris Hall.

Chris was joined on the night by Primary team members Lindsay Toussaint, Jackie Lloyd, and Johanna Rigg-Smith, and we sincerely thank Royal Life Saving for formally recognising Primary as an event partner.

The Aquas not only honours exceptional achievements but also fosters a culture of excellence in our industry. This year’s event held extra significance as it marked the 130th anniversary of Royal Life Saving. Be sure to sign up for our regular newsletter and follow us on LinkedInInstagram and Facebook to keep up to date on all our news and latest Information from our clients and partners, including Royal Life Saving.

Celebrating in style: our clients’ Cyber Awards success

What a memorable occasion it was for our clients at the 2025 Australian Cyber Awards held at Ilumina in Sydney.

Semperis took home the Ransomware Protection Business of the Year and Lumify carried off the gong for Cyber Security Training Business of the Year.

We are especially proud to announce that, in fact, three of our incredible clients, Claroty, Lumify, and Semperis, were all named as finalists in this year’s awards.

Our full list of finalists were:

  • Claroty – Network Cybersecurity Business of the Year and Threat Detection Business of the Year
  • Lumify – Jeremy Daly (Lumify Work) for Cyber Security Rising Star – SME finalist
  • Lumify – Louis Cremen (Lumify Work) for Cyber Security Champion of the Year – Internal finalist (Jeremy and Louis are pictured below with their CEO, Jon Lang)
  • Lumify Work – shortlisted for Cyber Security Training Business of the Year
  • Semperis – finalist for Ransomware Protection of the Year, recognised for its leadership in identity system security, innovation, and rapid growth across the Australian market.

Primary Comms Group team members Elaine Banoub and Renee de la Motte (pictured above with Michael Bovalino and Gabriel Khnanisho of Semperis) were on hand to celebrate their success.

Primary is proud to represent organisations who are gamechangers, and are at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation and excellence.

Don’t forget to sign up for our regular newsletter and follow us on LinkedInInstagram and Facebook to keep up to date on all our news and latest information from our clients and partners.

Lest We Forget: a historic ANZAC tribute

On a glorious evening at the Sydney Opera House forecourt, the Australian Remembrance Foundation hosted the inaugural Lest We Forget: Harbour Sunset Tribute.

Held for the first time under the famous sails and on the eve of ANZAC Day, the moving ceremony brought together a capacity audience, including the Foundation’s patron, former Governor-General and Defence Force Chief, Sir Peter Cosgrove, alongside political and business leaders.

Among the evening’s highlights were the appearances of centenarian veterans John McAuley, Norma Booth, and Desmond Jones, who received a standing ovation at the close of the program.

There was also a poignant tribute and laying of wreaths in memory of the sailors lost when HMAS Kuttabul was sunk by a Japanese submarine during WWII.

The audience was moved by the odes and performances from the orchestra, the Australian Military Wives Choir, and entertainment icons such as Normie Rowe and Little Pattie. A stirring rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone by tenor Mark Vincent provided a fitting emotional crescendo.

Congratulations to Foundation Chair, Dr Michael Easson AM, CEO and Artistic Director, Anthony McCarthy and the entire team and thanks to our defence, industry, government and media friends who helped make it such a success.

It was a privilege for Primary Comms Group to play a part in such a memorable occasion.

The Foundation and Primary photographers were on hand to capture some of the best moments.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date on all our news.

 

 

 

 

 

This ANZAC Day we will remember them, those who served, and their families

ANZAC Day is a time to remember those who served, but also the families who continue to carry the weight of that service every day. Behind every uniform is a child, a partner, a parent and they serve in their own way too.

So as we pause to honour the courage and sacrifice of our service personnel this ANZAC Day, Resolute Ready continues to shine the light on the impact of service in the lives of veterans and their families. That is why it has launched the Digital Education Backpack, a free, world-first online resource offering tailored mental health and learning resources for children of veterans and first responders.

Developed in partnership with The Insight Centre and funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Backpack equips parents, carers, and educators with practical tools to better understand trauma and foster resilience children need at home and in the classroom.

This is powerfully reflected in the words of Warrant Officer Ken Robertson, OAM, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Defence Force and Resolute Ready Ambassador, who spoke at the official launch of the Backpack earlier this month at the Anzac Memorial, alongside other national advocates.  “The impact of service life isn’t confined to the battlefield. It’s in every missed birthday, every relocation, every goodbye. Resolute Ready is more than resources, it gives families tools to heal and thrive,” he said.

Lidia Faranda-Hall, Founder and Managing Director of Resolute Ready, said the Backpack directly responds to key findings from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

“The trauma of service doesn’t end with discharge, it echoes through families, classrooms and homes. The Digital Education Backpack is an extension of the Resolute Ready Hub and directly addresses recommendations around early intervention and continuity of care for families and children,” she said.

“It recognises that connection is intervention. It helps parents, grandparents, carers, guardians, and educators understand trauma responses, support resilience, and provide stability for the children of service personnel.”

At Primary Comms Group, we’re proud to support the incredible team behind Resolute Ready including sponsors and supporters, and our friends at Mercy Me Marketing, in launching this much-needed national initiative. Hats off to the visionaries, advocates, and researchers who made the Digital Education Backpack a reality.

Behind every veteran is a family — and they serve too. Explore the Digital Education Backpack: https://resoluteready.com/backpack

*Photos from the official launch of The Digital Backpack in April 2025, courtesy of Resolute Ready

 

 

 

 

Primary at the heart of policy conversations

Primary Comms Group was proud to power up Business Sydney’s big night at Chifley Square, as the official sponsor for the launch of Decide 25: The Policy Makers.

With the May 3 election on the horizon, Assistant Minister for Immigration, the Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP, and Senator Dave Sharma took the stage to tackle the big questions shaping Australia’s future.

Primary CEO Chris Hall, introduced by Business Sydney’s Paul Nicolaou, kicked things off with a quick outline of our organisation and the work of the 20-strong team before handing over to the evening’s headline speakers.

Daily Telegraph national political editor Clare Armstrong kept the energy high as the audience put the pollies through their paces before opening up the floor for questions from our guests.

Massive thanks to everyone who came along – and to our partners at Business Sydney for pulling together a top-tier event.

Round two will take place on Thursday, 1 May: Decide 25: The Political Shakers will feature The Hon. Graham Richardson AO, political commentator Sky News and The Australian, Michael Photios, Chairman of PremierState & PremierNational, Bruce Hawker, Special Counsel at Fitzpatrick & Co Advisory and Catherine Douglas, Managing Director at CT Group Australia.

Head to Business Sydney to find out more about this event.