Inside our 2026 National Graduate Conference
Under the theme Embracing Possibility Together, the 2026 National Graduate Conference (NGC) was a celebration of our people and our shared commitment to doing great work for our clients.
Melbourne Deputy Managing Partner Nick Bull opened the conference before the afternoon was handed over to The Reach Foundation for Being Your Best Self, a two-part workshop exploring self-awareness, resilience, and growth mindset. The sessions were a reminder that showing up authentically, both at work and in life, is one of the most powerful things any of us can do. The evening wrapped up with a Welcome Dinner on the Sofitel Pool Deck, where new friendships took root over good food and great conversation.
Tuesday centred on DiSC, with Lex Cran and Alexandra Crombie-Tait guiding graduates through one of the most practical tools in professional development. Understanding your working style is one thing, but understanding how it lands with the people around you is another. DiSC gave graduates a shared language for navigating different communication styles, resolving friction before it starts, and building the kind of collaborative relationships that make teams genuinely effective.
The afternoon brought Heist of the Midnight Ruby, a fast-paced immersive team challenge that put the morning’s lessons to immediate use. Working under pressure with colleagues they’d only just met, graduates had to communicate quickly, trust each other’s instincts, and think creatively to succeed, exactly the skills that matter most in client-facing work. It was followed by Future Thinking with Urgent Optimism, an energising session encouraging graduates to approach their careers with adaptability, confidence, and a sense of possibility.
The final day turned attention to the client-facing heart of what we do. Brisbane Partners Karen Levine, Robert Hughes, and Sydney’s Paul Marino lifted the lid on professional services, challenging accounting myths and exploring how graduates can make a real impact through curiosity and a client-first mindset. Guest speaker Hugo Toovey then delivered a deeply personal session on physical and mental health that resonated across the room. The conference closed with goal setting and reflections, sending graduates home with purpose and a clear sense of what comes next.
Investing in the next generation
The NGC is more than a few days away from the office. It’s an investment in the people who are the future of our Pitcher Partners firms, and a reflection of our belief that success is better shared.
We are proud to be recognised as an AAGE Top Graduate Employer, a SEEK Grad Top 100 Most Popular Graduate Employer for 2026, and a GradAustralia Top 5 Employer in the accounting and advisory industry. To the 95 graduates who made this year’s conference what it was: thank you. We can’t wait to see what you do next.
