She said many members of her family over five generations had been involved in business in the area which continued to grow economically and create jobs.

Everyone from her grandmother, who was born Agnes Isabelle Fredericks, to her son Adam Murphy, who started his own IT company, MCT Solutions, at 19 and then diversified into other areas, were keen to create opportunities.

“I am very proud of Adam. There is a lot of (family) pride in the whole region. I am fifth generation. And when I first started doing anything economic development wise..15 years ago..it was that realisation that you can actually make a difference for the long term..and you can influence change.” 

Ms Murphy said it was working with an alliance on the deliverance of a new port strategy in 2003 that showed her what could be done by working together. She was involved with that for four years but knows what everyone did had made a real difference for the greater good of the region. Before becoming chief executive of the chamber three years ago Ms Murphy worked for Thiess in Brisbane. Other roles have included being the regional manager for the Australian Industry Group and external affairs manager at Port Kembla Coal Terminal. She also worked as executive officer of the Illawarra Regional Development Board and the Illawarra Division of General Practice. She was involved in the formation of the Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net) and was the first chair. Prior to all that she worked for BHP Billiton after starting her career at 16 as a stenographer at the Rural Bank.

She went to Smith's Hill High and graduated with an MBA from University of Wollongong in 1999. She is a past board member of UOW UniCentre, Illawarra Area Consultative Committee and the TAFE Advisory Board. And is looking forward to focusing on economic development and working with stakeholders in the region for the good of the whole economy.