The Sydney-based contingent of Australian Design Review’s (ADR’s) 30UNDER30 in 2025/2026 gathered for the first time on Wednesday 11 March – here’s how it went.

The 1930s art deco-inspired Clocktower Bar was the perfect meeting place for this year’s 30UNDER30. Located on the ninth floor of Shell House Sydney, designed by Woods Bagot, Clocktower Bar offered guests an intimate atmosphere in which to get acquainted.

The cohort pulled up comfy chairs beside one another and beside representatives from 30UNDER30’s major sponsor Neolith, as well as partners Designer Rugs, Signature Appliances powered by Miele, Tongue & Groove, Krost, Laufen and Miele.

Australian Design Review’s brand manager Alvin Wu welcomed everyone and Neolith’s managing director ANZ Con Papadakis added a few words about the program. The cohort also had the chance to meet some of their mentors, including COX director Brooke Lloyd, AJC Architects’ CEO Dua Green, BVN’s principal Sally Campbell and Melbourne-based product designer Ross Gardam. Lloyd said: “I’m glad I’m not a graduate among this incredibly talented group of people.”

The event provided the 30UNDER30 with an opportunity to break the ice over an intimate dinner before they all fly to Bali to take part in the high-performance leadership and creativity retreat in May. 

Check out the gallery from the 30UNDER30 Sydney dinner below:

Photography by Narrative Post.