OUR MISSION
To empower the brave by creating space and community for them to connect, grow, and succeed.
Our story
Organically grown. wildly determinded.
We are a social impact organisation supporting a diverse and at times, geographically isolated, community of founders. We provide coworking desks, private offices, meeting rooms and event space, as well as a vast community network that gives people in regional Australia the best chance at commercial success in their own business.
In July 2017, Jillian Kilby wrote to the CEO of Telstra: "I would like to acquire the abandoned former post office and telephone exchange in Dubbo".
In November 2018, Telstra announced the sale of the building and Jillian delivered on her commitment to make the grand old dame the future home of The Exchange community.
We are a community and coworking space that first and foremost aims to build confidence, capacity and capability to increase the chance of commercial success of startups, those scaling businesses, and even those still sitting on the fence. People frequently arrive at our events to find the team unpacking more chairs due to unprecedented demand, and the words “I’ve been following you on Instagram” or “I have the biggest crush on your team.”
In the past 4 years, our startup has evolved and grown to thrive in our region and beyond, operating across three core pillars of impact and expanding to new sites. The opportunity to connect, learn and grow is far reaching. We have an online following of over 6000, a community of over 600 members, over 150 events marked off the calendar, our one of a kind Clock Tower in the main street of Dubbo, and brand new locations expanding our impact on the way!
Now in Narrabri
The Exchange Group is growing.
Growing in space.
Growing in location.
Growing in impact.
The road behind us is one to celebrate. 3 years on from launching our Dubbo site, we are thrilled to expand to a second location as we continue to ensure regional Australia meets its full potential.
The Exchange has taken up a second home in the northwest NSW town of Narrabri, opening in May 2022. The full renovation is almost complete and The Exchange has hired local talent to be part of the future.
We have purchased the original Faulkners Cordial Factory and Ice Works, a large heritage precinct with two 106-year-old red brick buildings located in the main street of Narrabri. We have undertaken a significant renovation using local trades who have restored one of the empty heritage buildings. It will be incredible to see this disused red brick icon brought back to life.
This second site will become our northwest hub for business owners to work and gather, fostering regional innovation and community, bringing together a diverse network of people who will have the space to connect, the room to grow, the opportunity to learn, and the support they need to succeed.
The Exchange has been overwhelmingly successful in Dubbo with hundreds of business owners using the coworking space and membership resources each year, and thousands of people following the organisation on social media. Narrabri and Dubbo will offer reciprocal benefits to members and tenants.
The Exchange Narrabri will provide coworking, private offices, meeting rooms and event space to hire by the hour, day, or year, as well as an extensive program of educational, capacity building and networking events and opportunities via The Exchange Business Activator (TEBA) program.
The opportunities will be endless for the Narrabri region. We cannot wait to see you there.
This is our story. And, we hope, it will be your story too.
Our Values
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Empowering
We know your potential is ahead of you.
The Exchange is behind you.
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Connecting
We believe in the power of connection and hope to create a community where opportunities cross path.
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Sharing
We aim to be a lifeline of information and ideas. We encourage our team and community to share space and knowledge and learn from each other.
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Growth
We are huge fans of growth mindset. We aspire to create space to think and room to grow.
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Courage
We hold seats for the brave and the willing. We challenge our team and our community members to face their fears and jump right in.
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Gratitude
Thank YOU!
We appreciate the good things and the wonderful people in our lives. We are so glad YOU are here!
Meet our team
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Jillian
Founder & CEO
Winner of the 2018 NSW/ACT AgriFutures Australia Rural Women’s Award, Jillian is unwilling to settle for the status quo.
She approaches life optimistically, with the logical thinking of a civil engineer, the roll-up-your-sleeves attitude of a farmer’s daughter from Coonamble, and an altruistic passion for change.
Jillian splits her time between Dubbo, Sydney, and Silicon Valley. Her dream is to create a community of collaborators, to increase the confidence, capability, and capacity of business owners, no matter where they choose to live. -
Alex
The Exchange Group Manager
With an unstoppable drive for success and a passion for all things Regional NSW, Alex is on top of all things Exchange Headquarter Operations, also moonlighting as Jillian’s Executive Assistant
After 2 years working in Operations and Events in London and a stint remote working from Singapore, her focus is US! She has a drive for business development and team management, ensuring every experience at The Exchange is a great one for both our team and for YOU!
With family roots in Dubbo and a degree in Business from Charles Sturt University, she is ready to tackle any challenge for The Exchange team and our community.
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George
Narrabri Manager
A Narrabri local who has lived and breathed the region for over 20 years, George comes to us with incredible wealth of community experience.
Before becoming Manager of The Exchange Narrabri, George was managing their family farm enterprise (which she still does!) including financial accounting for the business.
A deep rooted connection to rural life, a calm and steadfast approach and vision, and a passion for Regional development across the North West and beyond see her leading our Narrabri location with ease.
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Tanya
Customer Experience Officer
Born and raised in Narrabri, Tanya is a local mum of 2 and small business owner who started her career as a hairdresser in town and feels a deep connection to the simple country life.
Owning her salon business now for over 20 years has armed Tanya with decades of customer service skills and experience in client engagement and business administration.
Tanya loves a new challenge. Joining The Exchange Narrabri as Customer Experience Officer in 2024 she continues to build on her creative skills and engage with the Narrabri community that she loves so much.
OUR VISION
10 years from now, people all around regional Australia will turn around and say “I started my business at The Exchange - and that made all the difference.”