A Hunter businesswoman, mother, fashion designer and motocross lover has been selected as one of the models in a national product campaign.
Abby Rose Watts Wilson is one of nine women in the new advertising campaign for FIGUR, a shapewear brand created by former Married At First Sight contestant and now media personality Jules Robinson.
Called Reshaping the Expectation, the concept resonated with Abby who runs her own size-inclusive fashion brand called Dust and Bullets Western from a warehouse in Maitland.
"My brand is built on making everyone feel confident," she said.
"I want people to wear our clothes and they actually fit and that's what FIGUR is also about - breaking outside of the mould and everybody being seen for who they are. So I thought it aligned like really well with my morals and my values as a person."
After getting the call-up for the launch, and just a few months postpartum after giving birth to her second son, Abby courageously said yes to the opportunity to model in just her undergarments for the new shapewear campaign.
"It was nerve-racking," she said.
"You have to take that leap and I'm so glad I did because I went down there on the day and everyone was so lovely. Coming in, not knowing anyone and then leaving with the best group of friends."
The FIGUR range aims to be better designed for a variety of body types and shapes, with sizing from six to 24. Being unable to shop off-the-rack was one of the catalysts for Abby to launch her own size-inclusive label.
"In 2021 when I started the brand, there was nothing," she said.
"I couldn't walk into like a shopping centre and buy clothes that fitted me and it always left me feeling embarrassed and uncertain about myself. I do think coming into 2026 a lot of brands are realising that."
Growing up in Clarence Town, the country life was a natural fit for Abby, who spent her youth competing in motocross events.
"I studied fashion and I had this big dream of being in New York Fashion Week and doing designer fashion and all that sort of stuff, but it just wasn't authentically me," she said.
"When I built Dust and Bullets Western I was coming back to my roots. That's why I think it took off, because it's just been easy and fun along the way because it's authentically me and my lifestyle."
NAB has "bucked the trend" to open a new branch in Westfield Kotara, with full-service Saturday banking.
Kotara branch manager, Megan Dyson, said it all comes down to making banking easier to fit around people's lives.
"We know it's not always easy to get into a branch during the week, so being open on Saturdays will make a real difference," Ms Dyson said.
"People can drop in while they're already at the shops and get everything sorted in one go."
The new branch's team of seven includes many employees from the former Hamilton branch.
"The region is continuing to grow, with more people choosing to live and work here, and local businesses thriving," Ms Dyson said.
"We can't wait to welcome customers into the new space, get to know even more people in the community, and support them in the moments that matter most."
The new NAB Kotara branch opened on Friday June 12.
Hundreds of workers will lose their jobs after retail chain Barbeques Galore collapsed, ending an almost 50-year run.
The company was placed into voluntary administration in February, with receivers tasked with finding a new buyer. Receivers said there were no acceptable offers to recapitalise the business by late May.
The business's 62 company-owned stores will start winding down from June 16, with transitional arrangements under way for the remaining 27 franchise-owned stores, administrators from consultancy firm Ankura told AAP on Tuesday.
The outdoor retailer's closure will make 500 staff redundant.
Stores will continue to trade remaining stock and suppliers will continue to be paid until liquidators step in on the June 16 deadline. Customers with gift cards will have their balances honoured until June 30, but they must spend $2 for every $1 on the card.
To redeem a $50 gift card, the consumer must make a purchase of at least $150, of which $100 is paid on top of the card's value.
