The MENTORS

Andrew Gee MP

Phil Donato MP

Jessica Hickman

Amy van de Ven

Craig Murphy

Sonia Thew

Gerald Power

Pieta Mages

Ben Watts

Alison Neville

Students, mentors and ambassadors met up for a casual breakfast at Anything Grows in Orange.

 

Students heard all about the mentors’ and ambassadors’ career journeys and talked about their own ambitions.

TEN4TEN students gathered at CSU’s Orange campus with former mentor and CSU Director of Community Engagement, Julia Andrews, as well as staff from the medical and dental faculties..

 

Four current medical school students joined them for afternoon tea and chatted about why they chose to study medicine and the different paths they took to get there.

 

A visit to the dental simulation lab followed with mentor Andrew Gee MP joining in to have a go at some dental work.

What a wonderful day in Canberra for our TEN4TEN 2023 students, hosted by Andrew Gee MP.

 

The students enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour providing a glimpse into the workings of Parliament not seen by many, watched the unveiling of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s official portrait, dined in the Sir Richard Baker Dining Room with Andrew Gee MP, sat in on Question Time, and a had special meeting with The Hon. Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government & Territories.

RDA staff and TEN4TEN 2023 students were invited to Charles Sturt University to meet the NSW Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley.

 

Students enjoyed delicious canapés catered by @agrestic_grocer and got to meet Governor Beazley in person.

 

In was a fantastic night highlighting NSW Education Week and the vital role education plays in our lives.

A brilliant day accompanying TEN4TEN 2023 students to Sydney for a behind-the-scenes tour of Australia’s oldest parliament – Parliament of New South Wales.

 

Member for Orange Phil Donato MP and his team hosted the day, introducing students to Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Greg Piper MP and Minister for Youth Rose Jackson MLC.

 

Students attended Question Time witnessing topics being debated such as transport, health and current state debt, before a group lunch with Mr Donato within Parliament grounds.

 

Before departure students enjoyed a visit from Rose Jackson MLC, and expressed their concern for regional youth access to mental health services and future housing affordability.

A brilliant morning @gather.at.thesonic for our July TEN4TEN 2023 Breakfast Conversation.

New RDA Central West Director Steven Bowman was interviewed by @jumbledonline‘s Pip Brett, talking about his vision for the region and career journey to date.

 

Pip was fantastic at relating Steve’s answers to key takeaways for students, and guests enjoyed a delicious networking breakfast before we began.

 

In attendance were TEN4TEN students and mentors, RDA staff, and local leaders welcoming Steve to the top job.

TEN4TEN 2023 students visited Orange City Council to learn all about how the council operates and meet key decision-makers for the city.

 

They were joined by three mentors and six Orange City Council staff including Mayor Jason Hamling, Deputy Mayor Gerald Power, CEO David Waddell, Director Community Recreation and Cultural Services Scott Maunder, Director Development Services Mark Hodges and Director Corporate and Commercial Services Rachelle Robb.

 

Conversation between TEN4TEN students, mentors, and senior council representatives resulted in an understanding of council operations, the different aspects of local government and the variety of careers available, as well as some life advice.

A brilliant morning at Anything Grows for the first of our TEN4TEN 2023 Breakfast Conversations. Ben Chiarella took on the task of interviewing TEN4TEN Ambassador Reg Kidd, giving students an insight into Reg’s career path and the joy of giving back to communities through voluntary work.

 

Reg wowed us all by sharing his commitment to life long learning – he is currently studying sustainable agriculture at university to add to his long list of tertiary qualifications.

We were once again 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 morning tea and lunch, listening to the Huddle mentors and speakers, and enjoying the day.   

We kicked off the year with a ‘meet and greet’ with Nedd Brockmann, a Central West local who ran from Perth to Sydney raising $2.5 million for homeless charity Mobilise along the way.

 

The students then attended the ‘Lunch and Learn’ event with 350 others to hear Nedd talk about his epic journey across Australia, from the amazing support he received to all the trials and tribulations that featured in his 46.5 day run. He also shared his unique toolkit of tips, tricks and strategies to inspire the audience to harness their own potential and tackle their own personal challenges, no matter how big or small. 

 

It was great to see a number of previous TEN4TEN students in the audience.