The MENTORS

Andrew Gee MP

Amy van de Ven

Pieta Mages

Amy Gormly

Charles Henley

Joshua Devitt

Ben Chiarella

Dr Jo Braid

Katie Baddock

Dr Gabi Staniforth

The STUDENTS

Samuel Bayada

Isabel Wong

Lillian Harrison

Lucinda Clinton

Oliver Krause

Charlie Nathan

Hayley Stephens

Amy Robinson

Caitlyn Thew

Josie Fuller

We celebrated the end of the 2024 TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue with a final breakfast at the Hive Orange.

 

Our ten Year 11 students from Canowindra High School, James Sheahan Catholic High School, Orange High School, Kinross Wolaroi School and Orange Anglican Grammar School have been wonderful ambassadors of their school and community.

 

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

Another fabulous visit to Canberra and the Australian Parliament, hosted by longtime mentor Andrew Gee MP.

The students enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour from the basement tunnels to the Ministerial corridor, providing a glimpse into the workings of Parliament not seen by many, sat in on Question Time in the House of Representatives and met with The Hon. Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government & Territories.

Secondary school students from across the Central West, including some of our 2024 T4T cohort,  came together in Orange last week to hear from Jessica Hickman.

 

Jessica is a keynote speaker, Bullyology founder and author. She spoke of her experience with bullying in both the workplace and at school and was joined on stage for a panel discussion with Rob Mages of Clever Cookie Academy, Hannah Wilson of Kids Helpline and Carla Seargent of Headspace, discussing strategies to combat bullying and build inclusive school environments.

Mentor Ben Chiarella hosted us at the Dudley Private Hospital for an inspiring afternoon.  A tour of the wards and operating suite was followed by some interesting chats with staff, among them the CEO, Commercial Manager, Clinical Director, Nurse Practitioner, Head of Allied Health and a Doctor or two.

Ten4Ten 2024 students were able to join Central West Inspired Women at their first collaboration with the Australian National Field Days team.

This inspiring lunch event featured Bianca Tarrant, who transformed life’s challenges into a multi-million-dollar e-commerce success. Alongside Bianca, a panel of remarkable rural women in business shared their journeys, insights, and lessons learned.

Ten4Ten 2024 students recently enjoyed visiting Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Bathurst campus, led by Julia Andrews, Director of External Engagement, Bathurst and Orange and Jaclyn Underwood, Bathurst Community Relations Officer.

 

Students got an in-depth look into the engineering and communications schools, including an inside look at where radio 2MCE is broadcast and a sneak peek at the university’s additions to their communications precinct.

 

A tour of the engineering school was led by Dr Miao Li, Senior Lecturer in Engineering, and a tour of the communications precinct led by course director Deborah Wise and Lecturer David Cameron.

A brilliant day accompanying the 2024 students to Sydney for a tour of the NSW Parliament.

 

Member for Orange Phil Donato MP and his team hosted the day, introducing students to Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Greg Piper MP and giving a behind the scenes view of an MP’s day.  We attended Question Time in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, before a group lunch with Mr Donato within Parliament grounds.

Some of the students attended the Central West Inspired Women Breakfast Conversations with Katja Forbes to talk all things life, business and career journey. Katja is an Orange resident currently living and working in Singapore.

 

A seasoned leader in the digital industry with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation, she is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and has been recognised as one of the top 50 Australian professionals, Top 10 Women Disruptors, Top 10 Australian Women Entrepreneurs and as one of Westpac/Australian Financial Review’s ‘100 Women of Influence’.  Currently, as Global Head of Client Experience at Standard Chartered Bank located in Singapore, she leads a team to create high-impact digital products and services that promote financial inclusion and contribute to a net-zero carbon future.

TEN4TEN 2024 students enjoyed attending the RDA Central West x Business Orange lunch and learn with special guest Ben Crowe. Students were in attendance to learn the same principles Ben teaches the highest level executives and world-champion sportspeople, and as he described through engaging stories, with astounding results.

 

Students had the opportunity to meet and have a photo with Ben prior to the event, and were seated for lunch with RDA Staff and TEN4TEN Mentors including Andrew Gee MP.

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

 

The students learnt more about the professional journey’s and roles of  Mayor Jason Hamling, Deputy Mayor Gerald Power, Director Development Services Mark Hodges and People & Culture Manager Jen Sharpe from Orange City Council. They also heard from Cr Bruce Reynolds Council and Megan Rodd, Manager of Tourism and Communications at Blayney Shire Council, as well as Jamie Jones, Deputy Mayor of Cabonne Council.

 

The students not only discovered more about the different aspects of local government, but were encouraged to keep an open mind and have a go as they consider life after Year 12.

Our TEN4TEN ambassadors are in addition to the ten mentors, champions for the TEN4TEN program within the community and available for an individual mentoring session with any student that expresses interest in connecting with them.

 

• Reg Kidd – former Mayor of Orange, Deputy Chair RDA Central West and Agricultural Consultant
• Phil Donato MP – State Member for Orange
• Cr Gerald Power – Deputy Mayor Orange City Council and Owner of Indigenous Culotural Adventures