Forefront Services General Manager and Director, Anthony Redfern, first moved to Orange as a teenager with his parents and brother from their West Wyalong farm for greater employment opportunities.

Anthony’s career in the engineering sector began with an apprenticeship as a boilermaker in Orange. He gained valuable experience among the solid collective of locally based companies servicing the mining, agricultural and construction sectors before heading off to make his mark in Queensland and Western Australia.

The concept of Orange as a big country centre with all the advantages of a city didn’t fully hit home until he was looking for a place to start a family himself.

“Coming from out West and a community of 2,500 people – Orange felt like a big city when I was young,” Anthony explained.

“Returning as an adult, you can see it really has retained all the benefits of a country town, but with the advantages and opportunities of a larger centre.

“I like Orange – it’s a terrific place with plenty of opportunity. There are good people here, a real community, and it’s a great place to live in general with all the sport, schools, medical facilities, infrastructure – anything you need is here.

“Orange has got a lot of things going for it. We made the decision to live here to raise our family based on the support and opportunity available to us.

“My wife, Brooke, works in administration at Forefront and the three kids are in a great school in Millthorpe. The kids are into their netball and soccer.

“We’re also still very involved with sport ourselves. I’m the Captain-Coach of the Cargo Blue Heelers and Brooke plays netball and league tag.

“As a business, Forefront also sponsors a dozen local sporting teams. It’s what it’s all about out here… local business supporting local people and communities who support local business.

“I’d recommend living and working in Orange 100 percent. I’m proud of the place and the opportunities available here.

“As far as doing business in the region, the opportunities are immense. We’ve got one of the largest mines on our doorstep along with a lot of construction and infrastructure projects to get involved with.

“The talent pool and skills base in Orange is also excellent. I’ve worked across Australia and it’s as good as anywhere that I’ve been.

“The best thing about local people getting involved in local projects is that they are 200 percent invested. Your reputation means a lot out here.”

Forefront Services is an Australian owned and operated engineering company with branches in Orange, Parkes and Sydney. Forefront specialises in steel fabrication, steel construction, poly fabrication and installation, and specialised mining services.

“From starting out in Orange, Forefront has expanded to such a degree that we have picked up Sydney projects like work in the tunnel expansions and other large regional projects in places like Parkes,” Anthony outlined.

“We have headhunted staff from across Australia, but we also put a strong emphasis on growing and developing talent within the organisation. Where the opportunity is there, we have been able to secure the same talent as the larger providers.

“As we continue to grow, the opportunities within the business help to retain excellent people because they can see the career progression and prospects that surround them here.

“Orange is a more attractive prospect for many with the lack of congestion and more availability. For work/life balance, Orange ticks most boxes.

“There is still plenty of opportunity for career growth and long-term stability in many of Orange’s industry sectors. Lower costs and attracting people to base themselves out of orange has been an easier process than our Sydney operation.”