Council supports TEN4TEN Leadership Program

At the Council Meeting on 20 February, Blayney Shire Council approved $1,500 of annual funding towards the Regional Development Australia (RDA) Central West TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue.

The TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue connects ten selected Year 11 students from Blayney, Cabonne and Orange Local Government Areas with ten local community leaders for a unique mentoring experience. The program was launched by RDA Central West in 2020 with the aim of connecting youth leaders with community champions for a unique mentoring experience.

Ten students are selected and paired with a mentor. The ten mentors are chosen from various sectors of the community which are yet to be announced. Over the course of the program the participating students are presented with opportunities and experiences that enable them to connect with leaders in the community.

The program is entering into its 5th year in 2024. Since 2020 a total of 39 Year 11 students have completed the program. Successful applicants in previous years have taken part in parliament visits, networking events with guest speakers.  

Blayney Shire Mayor Scott Ferguson said the program is valuable for local students and encouraged them to apply.

‘The program provides opportunities for networking not just with local mentors from across the region but other year 11 students from Orange and Cabonne.’

‘We encourage all year 11 students who live in Blayney Shire to apply and to take advantage of the opportunity,’ said Mayor Ferguson.

The program is open to Year 11 students from high schools in the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne Local Government Areas, applications are now open and close 5pm, Monday 4 March 2024.

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. Applications can be found in the RDA Central West Website.