“We are a job creation machine, and seeing manufacturing and agriculture in your top five growth sectors is rare. That’s a dream scenario for a regional community.”Simon Kuestenmacher, Co-Founder of The Demographics Group
Our first Rising and Leading Series guests rose before the sun to gather at the Armitage Centre for what proved to be an energising and thought-provoking breakfast.
More than 150 members of the Toowoomba and Darling Downs community joined us to hear from leading demographer and data commentator Simon Kuestenmacher, whose presentation sparked fresh thinking about the decade ahead.
Australia on the Global Stage
Simon opened with a wide-angle view of where Australia sits in the world, and it was more optimistic than expected.
“You picked the right corner of the globe,” he told the room. “It is utterly impossible to keep Australia out of the top 10 countries on Earth. No matter how you filter it, we are a very stable, attractive destination.”
He pointed to Australia’s four core economic pillars — mining, agriculture, tourism and international education — and noted that none are at structural risk. But he also challenged regional communities to push beyond simplicity.
“We’re not a complex economy. We rank just after Uganda on the Global Economic Complexity Index. We could do with a bit more value-added manufacturing, in agriculture, in mining, in pharmaceuticals. There’s work to be done.”
Toowoomba’s Demographic Advantage
Turning his focus closer to home, Simon spoke to Toowoomba’s unique demographic profile.
“You are outrageously young for a regional town,” he said, noting that while many communities lose their young people and don’t see them return, Toowoomba does. “You’re doing quite a few things right in terms of attracting young families and young couples back.”
He described a familiar pattern of young people leaving for university or work, then returning with families to replicate the lifestyle they grew up with. “And that’s something you want to keep encouraging because the alternative of aging is quite shocking.”
Growth, Spending and Economic Shifts
Queensland is expected to grow by 750,000 people over the next decade, but that growth won’t be uniform.
Millennials are entering their peak spending years and the number of people aged 85 and over will double.
“This decade, the biggest generation is entering the most expensive phase of life — the mid-40s,” Simon said.
“Every dollar they earn goes straight back into the economy. Great for business, but terrible for the RBA. We’re going to keep consuming and that’s inflationary.”
Workforce Pressures and Skills Gaps
Simon didn’t shy away from the workforce challenges ahead. He outlined the impact of retiring baby boomers, a slowing pipeline of young workers and critical shortages in aged care, transport, vocational education and agriculture.
“Retention is the name of the game. Be nice to your staff,” he said. “And all those buzzwords, AI, automation, robotics, they are your friends. These technologies won’t lead to mass unemployment. We simply don’t have enough people to be unemployed.”
Toowoomba’s Strategic Opportunity
What stood out was Simon’s view of Toowoomba’s unique economic future.
“You are a job creation machine,” he said. “Healthcare, social assistance, yes, that’s a given. But manufacturing and agriculture in your top five growth sectors? That is extremely rare. It’s a dream scenario for a regional community.”
He challenged educators and industry leaders to show young people a clear pathway into those sectors. “Let them go frolicking in London, sure, but make sure when they come back, there’s a career waiting for them.”
Planning with Purpose
Simon closed with a compelling case for long-term infrastructure thinking, sharing the story of his hometown Munich and the decision to build a train network into undeveloped land ahead of the 1972 Olympic Games. The result was decades of well-planned growth.
“If you build it, they shall come,” he said. “Build before the people arrive, not after. That’s the difference between efficiency and chaos.”
He reminded us that Toowoomba’s inclusion in the 2032 Olympics, hosting equestrian events, may bring more than just sporting moments. “You get growing Brisbane. You get the overflow. If we plan well, that translates to long-term opportunity.”
What This Means for Education at TGS
Simon’s insights reinforce the critical role schools play in shaping the future of our region. At TGS, we are deeply committed to preparing boys not only for success in their studies but for meaningful, future-ready careers in a changing world.
Whether it’s developing communication and critical thinking skills, building pathways into industries such as agriculture, healthcare and manufacturing, or encouraging global curiosity and local impact, our focus is on ensuring that our students are well-equipped to lead in a region poised for growth.
The Rising and Leading Series is not just about hearing from leading voices. It’s about asking what comes next — and how we as a School can help shape it.
Looking to What’s Next
The Rising and Leading Series continues to bring meaningful conversations and influential voices to our community. We are delighted to announce our next two events, Rising and Leading in Medical Research on Tuesday, 22 July and Rising and Leading in Sport on Friday, 15 August. For more details please keep checking our School's website.
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