TEN4TEN

A LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Central West is excited to continue the TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue in 2023 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 Deputy Mayor Gerald Power;
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 program is open to Year 11 students from high schools in the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne Local Government Areas and applications open on Tuesday 14 February and close 5pm, Tuesday 7 March 2023. Students will be notified of the outcome of their application by email.

Students are invited to submit a written application outlining what they wish to gain from the program, their future ambitions and why they think leadership in regional communities is important in 300 words or less.

Meet the Mentors

Sonia Thew

Medical Doctor and Lecturer in Medicine, Charles Sturt University

Andrew Gee

Federal Member for Calare

Peita Mages

Owner, Clever Cookie Academy

Phil Donato

State Member for Orange

Alison Neville

Solicitor, Blackwell Short Lawyers

Gerald Power

Deputy Mayor, Orange City Council and Owner, Indigenous Cultural Adventures

Amy van de Ven

Franchisee, Quest Orange

Ben Watts

Director, Bralca

Jessica Hickman

Founder, Bullyology

Craig Murphy

Senior Project Manager, Charles Sturt University and previous business owner and technology consultant

This year the TEN4TEN program will also welcome four TEN4TEN ambassadors in addition to the ten mentors, who will be championing the TEN4TEN program within the community and available for an individual mentoring session with any student that expresses interest in connecting with them.

The four specially selected TEN4TEN Ambassadors are:

Reg Kidd – twice elected former Mayor of Orange and Agricultural Consultant
Sophie Durham – Founder and Director of Digital Wonder, Business and Life Coach, and Orange Supper Club Founder
Ben Chiarella – Director of Clinical Innovation, Ramsay Connect
Clint Giddings – VET Curriculum Project Officer Skills and Pathways at NSW Education and NSW VET Teacher/Trainer of the year 2022