Current Projects

TEN4TEN

A LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Central West is excited to continue the TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue in 2022 and connect ten selected Year 11 students with ten local community leaders for a unique mentoring experience.

 

The Central West is home to a high calibre of leaders and mentoring plays a major role in fostering the next generation of young leaders in our community.

Since its inception in 2020, the TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue has forged new partnerships, opened doors and provided an insight into the countless opportunities that are available in regional New South Wales and more specifically – right here in the Central West.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to take part in the following:

 

  • Attend the program launch and dinner in early April and participate in the speed networking activity with all mentors;
  • Afternoon tea at Orange City Council Chambers with Mentor and CEO David Waddell;
  • Visit Parliament of NSW in Sydney, hosted by Mentor and Member for Orange, Phil Donato;
  • Visit Parliament of Australia in Canberra, hosted by Mentor and Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee;
  • Attend the end of program breakfast and presentation in November; and
  • Take part in additional events that will be organised throughout the duration of the program.

The MENTORS

Andrew Gee MP

Phil Donato MP

Jessica Hickman

David Waddell

Julia Andrews

Reg Kidd

Michelle Pryse Jones

Hamish Munro

Amy van de Ven

Jack Evans

The STUDENTS

Antonia Tuckwell

Jyothis Jojo

Sophie Heath

Eleanor Matheson-Clark

Claudia Horan

Kitana Hoswell-Parsons

Mitchell Crossman

Lilly Hassall

Luka Smith

Jonah Thew

WRAPPING UP 2022

The Hive Orange was the venue to mark the end of the 2022 TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue.

 

The third year of the TEN4TEN program was a success with another fantastic group of students and mentors and, for the first time, we were able to run all the planned events unhampered by COVID restrictions.  They have been wonderful ambassadors of their school and community.

 

RDA Central West would also like to thank the mentors involved in the program this year for their time, commitment and contribution which was greatly valued by their mentees.

BREAKFAST CAREER TALK AND CATCHUP WITH CLINT GIDDINGS

Clint Giddings, 2022 NSW VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year and school careers advisor met with students and mentors for a casual chat about career journeys and pathways.

 

Mentors and RDA staff highlighted their own career paths, showing that the journey ahead may not always be how you envisage it will be.

AFTERNOON TEA WITH PHIL DONATO MP

Member for Orange and TEN4TEN Mentor, Phil Donato MP, hosted afternoon tea at his office.

 

The students learnt about Phil’s previous careers as a pastry chef, police prosecutor and what his role as the Member for Orange involves.  As well as learning about his career journey, the students had the opportunity to ask questions, get some life advice, and find out who he thinks would play him in a movie of his life.

 

He not only encouraged them to embrace every opportunity that comes their way, but highlighted the importance of backing yourself and being yourself.

BULLYOLOGY WORKSHOP WITH JESSICA HICKMAN

The students had the opportunity to attend a workshop with mentor Jessica Hickman, founder of Bullology.

 

The afternoon was spent discussing some of the injustices students face in the Central West and building upstander action plans to ignite change.

 

It was educational, but fun, provided useful tips, and gave perspective and real-world examples and our ‘Upstander Leader’ students were able to explore their bold ideas to shape the future.

TALK & TOUR AT CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY ORANGE

TEN4TEN students gathered at CSU’s Orange campus with mentor and CSU Director of Community Engagement, Julia Andrews.

 

The students enjoyed afternoon tea followed by a talk in a lecture theatre from CSU staff and a current medical student, highlighting what programs and pathways are available here in Orange for students contemplating studying locally after Year 12.

 

There was a tour of the physiotherapy learning area as well as a sneak peak at what life on campus looks like with a tour of student accommodation.

VISIT TO NSW PARLIAMENT

The students travelled to Sydney for a visit to NSW Parliament House.

 

Following a tour, lunch in the Parliamentary cafe and a chat with a local MP or two, the students had the opportunity to sit in on Question Time and compare the workings of State and Federal Parliaments.

VISIT TO AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT

TEN4TEN 2022 students headed to Canberra for a visit to Parliament House hosted by Andrew Gee.

 

Andrew took the students on a behind the scenes tour, providing a glimpse into the workings of Parliament not seen by many.

 

As well as meeting various Ministers and Members of Parliament, both Government and Opposition, the students had the opportunity to sit in on the first Question Time of the 47th Parliament – well described by one as ‘like a reality TV show!’

BREAKFAST WITH ANDREW GEE MP

The students recently enjoyed breakfast with Andrew Gee MP, as well as other mentors Jessica Hickman, Jack Evans and David Waddell.

 

The morning was a great opportunity for the students to catch up with each other and chat about topics of interest including health, youth mental health and housing with Andrew and the other mentors.

TEN4TEN STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAREERS

The students recently attended an afternoon tea to hear from local government staff and councillors from Orange City Council and Blayney Shire Council.

 

The students learnt more about the professional journeys and roles of Orange City Council Mayor Jason Hamling, Deputy Mayor Gerald Power, Cr Jack Evans (a 2022 Mentor), Manager of Building and Environment Mark Hodges and Manager of Corporate and Community Relations, Nick Redmond.  They also heard from Blayney Shire Council councillor and 2022 Mentor, Cr Michelle Pryse Jones.

 

The students heard about the different aspects of local government and the variety of careers available.  They were also encouraged to keep an open mind and have a go as they enter their final years at school and consider life after Year 12.

TEN4TEN STUDENTS AT THE HUDDLE

Some of the students were given the opportunity to volunteer at The Huddle, an event created by 2020 Mentor Pip Brett of Jumbled.  The Huddle brings together inspiring female business owners and change-makers in one room.

 

The girls were tasked with helping to prepare lunch for over 700 attendees as well other duties which included embracing the day and having a good time.  The students had an absolutely fantastic day and were in awe of the event, speakers and organisers.

 

It was great to see Bridget, an inaugural TEN4TEN student who was mentored by Pip in 2020, volunteering alongside the 2022 students. 

TEN4TEN LAUNCH AND DINNER

Meet the Mentors
2. Julia Andrews
Julia Andrews
Director of External Engagement at Charles Sturt University Bathurst and Orange Campuses
5. Andrew Gee
Andrew Gee
Federal Member for Calare l Minister for Defence Personnel l Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Michelle Pryse Jones_compressed
Michelle Pryse Jones
Business Owner l Councillor, Blayney Shire Council l Board Member, Orange360
3. Phil Donato
Phil Donato
State Member for Orange
9. Hamish Munro
Hamish Munro
Founder/Director, Pairtree
Dave Waddell_compressed
David Waddell
CEO, Orange City Council
Photo_Amy Van de Ven
Amy van de Ven
Franchisee Quest Orange
Reg-Kidd-HS
Reg Kidd
Former Mayor, Orange City Council l Deputy Chair, RDA Central West
unnamed (21)
Jessica Hickman
Founder, Bullyology
DSCF6201-scaled-circle
Jack Evans
Retailer l Councillor, Orange City Council l President, Business Orange

proudly supported by: