In this edition:
– Noosa Mining Conference – sun rising on small cap successes
– Client spotlight – magnet recycling, property & more
– QJCCI Expo 2025 Osaka Tour
– Successful internships and new team members
– Mumbrella keynote for Bosco Anthony
– CPRA Agency Leaders Retreat delivers inspiration
Noosa Mining Conference – sun rising on small cap successes
The Fensom Advisory team attended the July 2025 edition of the famous Noosa Mining and Investor Conference, arguably the east coast’s leading small cap mining conference held in the beautiful seaside resort town.
Hosted by Phil Dickinson’s Equity Events, this year’s event saw the best turnout since before the Covid pandemic, with more than 1,200 in-person attendees and another 900 plus online.
On the ground to assist Australia’s number one growing silica sands miner, Diatreme Resources, we also had the chance to network and listen to dozens of exciting project updates from ASX-listed resources companies across Australia.
As reported by the Courier Mail’s City Beat: “The Queensland contingent included silica sand miner Diatreme Resources and lithium developer Lake Resources, cheered on by industrial minerals session chair Anthony Fensom, with Lake chairman Stu Crow pointing to a long-awaited turnaround in the price of the critical mineral.
A big thanks to the conference organisers, clients and attendees who made this year’s event such a big success – we look forward to returning to Noosa for the next event in November!
Left to right: Fensom Advisory’s Thomas Lee, Anthony Fensom & Bosco Anthony at Noosa Mining Investor Conference, July 2025
Client spotlight
Ionic Rare Earths (IXR)
Ionic Rare Earths has made significant progress this year with major government support and market developments across the UK, Brazil, USA and Asia. Positive sentiment has surrounded its recent ramping up production of heavy rare earth oxides – specifically dysprosium and terbium – at its Belfast facility to meet urgent demand, following recent shifts in global supply dynamics.
A recent visit by the responsible UK minister to its Belfast plant highlighted the strong level of government support for Ionic’s patented magnet recycling technology.
The Minister’s statement referenced her visit to subsidiary Ionic Technologies “to see their progress so far in developing a rare earth magnetic recycling process to support the UK’s electric vehicle transition, following a £11 million grant from the Government in June.”
IonicRE Managing Director, Mr Tim Harrison commented: “IonicRE was honoured to welcome the Minister for her first visit to Ionic Technologies’ Belfast plant, which was selected as a key business as part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy.
“The UK has shown tremendous support for Ionic Technologies and the Minister’s inaugural visit was a tangible demonstration of this backing in Belfast for a sovereign and secure UK rare earth supply chain.”
Natgen
Brisbane-based property fund manager Natgen continues to expand its portfolio across a range of commercial property sectors, including commercial office, industrial warehouse and regional retail.
A recent highlight was Natgen’s official launch of its new General Self Storage brand, with the opening of its new, $33 million self-storage facility near the M1 at Upper Coomera. The project began as a $10 million local investment and has now grown into a landmark asset operated by the new brand, with local construction and management.
“Coomera and the northern Gold Coast are growing at one of the fastest rates in the country, adding pressure to an already tight housing market. That shortage is driving strong demand for storage, and this facility has been designed to meet this community need,” said Natgen founder and Managing Director, Steven Goakes.
The new self-storage facility adds to Natgen’s recent string of Southeast Queensland investments, including a $9.65 million day hospital in Southport, a $10 million office and warehouse development in Yarrabilba and an $11.7 million rural residential subdivision in Yatala, together with a $22 million near-city Brisbane office building.
Natgen’s Managing Director Steven Goakes (right) with Fensom Advisory’s Anthony Fensom at the new General Self Storage facility in Upper Coomera.
Events: QJCCI Expo 2025 Osaka Tour
The Queensland Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QJCCI) has ramped up activities in 2025, with a highlight being a tour of Expo 2025 Osaka led by Anthony Fensom, a longstanding member of the Chamber’s Management Committee.
The April tour helped build relationships with various Kansai chambers of commerce, with the trip also including the launch of Australian law firm AA International Law’s new Tokyo office.
In June, the QJCCI held a “Taste of Expo” networking event at DLA Piper which helped celebrate the global event, including a presentation by Anthony on the Queensland-Japan economic relationship and the recent Japan tourism boom.
More recently, the annual Australia-Japan Dinner on 21 August was a huge success, drawing around 110 guests to the Stamford Plaza in Brisbane as part of Japan Month celebrations, featuring cultural entertainment, a guest speaker, and a three-course dinner.
More events are planned for 2025, including an ‘Economic Outlook’ event on October 15 and the Chamber’s annual ‘bonenkai’ year-end networking in December.
Anthony Fensom presents at the QJCCI’s “Taste of Expo” networking event
Successful internships and new team members
It has been a busy year for our agency’s HR team, with Fensom Advisory hosting four interns spread across Japanese business, systems development and public relations development programs. We would like to once again thank and wish good luck to Charmmy Choy (UQ, PR), Satoya Matsumura (Bond, Int Bus), and Yuichiro Akai (Bond, Int Bus) as they continue their studies and approach graduation. All three demonstrated exceptional skills in their fields and are each due for very successful careers – we hope to cross paths once again in the very near future!
Likewise, we also welcome Max Ellis (UQ, Business Systems) back to the team as our new Systems Associate following his internship in a similar capacity earlier in the year. Max’s valuable skills are driving progress in advanced internal data automation, UI, and systems development projects and we look forward to unveiling the results!
Finally, a huge welcome to our new Commercial Director – WA, Harley McKinnirey, while we also added critical advisory expertise from industry veterans Steven A. Cleary (SE Asia Strategic Adviser) and Nigel Kassulke (Tribune Partners – Sydney).
Mumbrella keynote for Bosco Anthony
Another notable highlight saw our Chief Strategy Officer, Bosco Anthony, presenting as a keynote at the Mumbrella Travel Marketing Summit on August 28 in Sydney. Focused on navigating the collision of humans and machines, Bosco offered critical new insights on what happens when AI, behavioural science, and robotics are thrown into the same pot.
“The future is not robots replacing us. It is humans wired up, sharper, faster – superhumans making decisions with a kind of precision our industry has never seen. Campaigns that hit harder, travel experiences that feel personal, and a sector learning to dance with machines instead of fighting them,” Bosco said.
“And here’s the truth: the room was electric, curious and receptive. Full house. Smart questions. Brave conversations. People leaning in – not running from the idea of change, but running toward it.
“Credit to the Mumbrella Events crew for giving me the stage, and to everyone who showed up ready to wrestle with the future. It reminded me that in travel, and in life, it’s still about the humans at the centre. Tech is just the seasoning.”
Bosco Anthony speaking at the Mumbrella Travel Marketing Summit in Sydney
CPRA Agency Leaders’ Retreat delivers inspiration
A special thank you to the Communication and Public Relations Australia team for an enlightening and engaging two days at the CPRA’s Agency Leaders’ Retreat in Bowral, NSW, held in July 2025 and attended by Fensom Advisory’s Anthony Fensom and Bosco Anthony.
It was a great opportunity to make new connections with other PR agency leaders and gain inspiration about the future of our industry, from AI to evaluation metrics to social media and more.
A big shoutout to Chris Savage for another energetic and inspiring performance as MC, who ensured there was never a dull moment.
We look forward to next year’s event!
Participants in the CPRA Agency Leaders Retreat, Bowral, NSW
