Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA Central West) is thrilled to announce that the TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue will once again be hosted in 2025. The program was first introduced by RDA Central West in 2020 to provide a unique mentoring experience to youth leaders by connecting them with community champions.
The program runs over the school year in the Orange, Blayney, and Cabonne local government areas and is open to all Year 11 students in these regions. Ten students are selected to participate and paired with mentors from various community sectors. Through this program, participating students are presented with numerous opportunities and experiences that enable them to connect with community leaders in a way they never have before.
A series of key events are planned throughout the year, and students and mentors also have the flexibility to arrange their own meetings and activities. The program has continued to grow and is now in its sixth year. The TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue has managed to forge new partnerships, open doors, offer advice and act as both a learning and teaching experience.
RDA Central West director Josh Gordon said that the ten mentors are drawn from various sectors of the community. Four specially chosen program ambassadors offer students an extended network and opportunities for broader career exploration.
“The legacy of this program lies in fostering leadership capacity within the Central West, strengthening connections between youth and local industry, as well as highlighting the diverse career and education opportunities available within the region.” said Mr Gordon.
The mentors for the 2025 TEN4TEN program are:
- Andrew Gee MP, Federal Member for Calare
- Amy Gormly, General Manager, Central NSW Business HQ
- Amy van de Ven, Business Owner Quest Orange
- Ben Chiarella, CEO, Ramsey – Dudley Private Hospital and Orange Surgical Centre
- Chris Rawlins, Manager Economic Development, Orange City Council
- Charles Henley, Solicitor, Blackwell Short Lawyers
- Fiona Watts, Senior Partner Performance, Culture, Standards and Rewards TAFE NSW
- Johanna Scott, Small Business Mentor, Make Do Co
- Katie Baddock, Owner/Managing Director, Groundstone Pty Ltd
- Rob Mages, Director, Clever Cookie Academy
The 2025 ambassadors are:
- Reg Kidd, Former Mayor of Orange and Deputy Chair of RDA Central West
- Phil Donato MP, State Member for Orange
- Cr Gerald Power, Orange City Council councillor and General Manager Indigenous Cultural Adventures
- Dr Jo Braid, The Burnout Recovery Doctor
Congratulations to the students participating in the TEN4TEN 2025 mentoring program:
- Abby Foster, Molong Central School
- Amelia Hatton, Canowindra High School
- Bianca Wong, Kinross Wolaroi School
- Harmony Winterflood, Orange High School
- Logan Bragg, Anson St School
- Milo Mages, Kinross Wolaroi School
- Nina Cuddy, Canowindra High school,
- Rose Kelly, Molong Central School
- Sofia Howard, James Sheahan Catholic High School
- Tully Schwarz, Anson St School
For more information on the TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue head to https://rdacentralwest.org.au/.