Backing Australia: Toowoomba businesses through support behind buy local campaign

Despite the temptation of cheaper overseas labour, a Toowoomba entrepreneur has made the bold decision to keep her hiring Australians. More on the Back Australia campaign.

Sarah Latcham is proud to be an Australian business owner — and she’s not afraid to put her money where her mouth is.

When the Toowoomba social media marketing expert needed someone else to keep up with her business demand, she had the choice of a virtual assistant overseas or an Aussie across town.

“It was appealing to hire a Filipino lady for $7 an hour, but I am a local and I wanted to hire a local and it’s going to benefit me long-term — I know the quality is there,” the owner of Amplify You said.

Ms Latcham and her husband Ryan, who himself owns a brokering firm, have thrown their support behind News Corp’s Back Australia campaign, which is calling on residents and citizens to buy and hire with the nation’s wellbeing in mind.

Grace and Aiden Latcham, Friday, October 24, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The couple, who are both proud members of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, believed business owners had as big of a role to play in supporting Australians as consumers.

“It comes down to supporting Australian-based businesses overall,” she said.

“Just keeping the money in Australia and just being able to celebrate what Australia has on offer.

“All my clients are locals, so where I have opportunities to I refer my clients on, so it keeps all businesses up and running.

“A lot of people said get an overseas PA, but … I think long-term, is it doing us any good?”

Chamber of Commerce chief executive Tanaya Treadwell, whose organisation is about to kick off a massive new “buy local” campaign for Toowoomba, said Australians should not just consider their own compatriots but also their neighbours and fellow residents.

“The Toowoomba Chamber is passionate about buying local,” she said.

“When we choose local providers, that money goes towards them shouting their team lunch at another local provider, who in turn can choose to use for their IT, marketing, accounting and so on.

“The economic multiplier effect means $5 spent doesn’t just stay here, but it multiplies and has a much greater impact in creating jobs and supporting our region.”