8 October 2025
Imogen Barker, manager of NumberWorks’nWords Tutoring in North Sydney, has been named North Sydney’s Youth Business Person of the Year in recognition of her rapid career progression and dedication to local education.
The 25-year-old began as a tutor before moving into management at the tutoring centre, which provides English and maths support to more than 300 students from nearby schools. Speaking to North Shore state MP Felicity Wilson, Barker said the goal was “to help improve their learning and make it so they understand and enjoy learning as well.”
Barker first encountered the organisation as a student herself in year three. “I attended as a student actually when I was in year three, and I really loved it,” she said. Now studying a Bachelor of Secondary Education, she described tutoring as the “perfect job to start with” that quickly developed into a leadership role.
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She credited her promotion to her focus on individual students’ needs. “I was very invested in the students and making sure their lesson was suited to their needs,” she said, adding that she had actively sought out opportunities for advancement and “loved” stepping into management.
Barker said winning the award was “very exciting, very unexpected,” given the calibre of other nominees. “I wholeheartedly believe in what we do,” she said.
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She also praised the strong sense of community among North Sydney businesses, describing the Business Awards event as “a really fun night” where “everyone was so excited for each other and just cheering each other on.”
Asked about her favourite local businesses, Barker cited Good Thing Café for its customer service and Casa Amaria for its community involvement, noting that “the perks of the coffee shop and Casa Amaria help as well” in creating what she described as North Sydney’s “great community spirit.”