08 Apr Back to the future: Highlights from our 2026 annual conference
In early February, 90 of us headed to Peppers Craigieburn in Bowral for our annual all-staff conference. For two days, we stepped away from the day-to-day to reflect, reconnect and refocus.
The theme? Back to the Future. Think big hair. 80s ballads. And plenty of neon.
Breaking the ice (and uncovering hidden talents)
We kicked things off on day one with a Human Treasure Hunt – and it didn’t take long for the room to come alive.
Armed with 20 clues, we had to find colleagues who matched each one and hear their story. From biking 300+ km in a weekend (yes, Hartley riders, we see you), to driving a lap of Australia, to pulling off legendary office pranks – there were plenty of surprises.
We also discovered a few unexpected adrenaline junkies among the team.
The exercise sparked conversations across teams and levels. It reminded us that behind every role title is a person with a story. And that connection is still at the heart of our culture.
Looking back – and leaning forward
Then, it was time for our ‘Back to the Future’ session with facilitator Dr Kirsten Peterson (KP).
We reflected on how far BellchambersBarrett has come and what has shaped us along the way. Growth has been a big theme this year – in size, capability and ambition.
KP guided us through an important discussion: how does culture evolve as a business grows? And how do we stay intentional about it? We explored:
- What’s working well
- What could work better
- What we want to protect
- How we want to grow
In separate breakout sessions, we also tackled other future-focused topics, including how we can leverage AI in our work and how flexible working fits into the next phase of our journey.
Game on: The Corporate X Games
A clear standout of the conference? The Corporate X Games on day two.
Run by Hunter Adventure Centre, the games saw us break into nine teams to compete across three stations – archery, Mission Impossible and Seglympics.
Archery brought out the competitive streak (bullseyes were loudly celebrated).
Mission Impossible required teamwork to cross an ‘acid river’ using planks, build a rope tower, and launch and catch balls for points.
And the Seglympics? Cone-weaving races and ball-tossing challenges… all while balancing on a moving Segway. Harder than it looks, as we found out.
The scores were tight, but the Bubblegum Babes were the runaway winners.
Big hair and bigger performances
The night brought the 80s theme to life. And the outfits were next level!
Dylan claimed best dressed individual, after growing a moustache especially for the occasion (a commitment we respect). Meanwhile, the Teeny Bop Mutant Ninja Turtles sparkled their way to best group.
Then, the karaoke machine appeared.
Power ballads. Pop classics. A few dramatic key changes. It was as chaotic and fun as you imagine. The singing carried on into the wee hours… and let’s just say, there are some hidden stage stars in the firm.
Together into the future
These two days in Bowral held countless conversations and laughs.
But all in all, it was an opportunity. To celebrate our achievements and values. To honour our past, empower our present, and build our future – intentionally.
As we continue to grow, we’re focused on protecting what makes BellchambersBarrett unique: our close relationships, our family-friendly culture and our commitment to our people. While at the same time, embracing new ideas and forward-thinking strategies.
We left energised for the year ahead and excited about the future we’re building together.