Students from across the region gathered at the PCYC in Young on Tuesday, May 6, for a highly successful Careers Day event organised by the Rotary Club in collaboration with Hennessy Catholic College, TAFE NSW, and the Hilltops Council.
The event, which had been in the works since late last year, attracted over 50 exhibitors and welcomed students from a wide range of local high schools including Cootamundra High, Murrumburrah High School in Harden, Henry Lawson High School in Grenfell, and two schools from Young.
Rotary Club Secretary Sue Gordon played a key role in bringing the event together.
“It’s been months of planning, starting before the school holidays back in December,” she said. “We began sending out flyers and contacting schools and businesses well before the end of the year. It’s been a big effort, but well worth it.”
The event featured a mix of local businesses, emergency services, trades, and training organisations, all eager to offer career guidance to students preparing to make decisions about their futures.
Among the exhibitors were ABC Sheds, Apollo Engineering, Omnia, South West Tractors, the Rural Fire Service, SES, and NSW Police.
“While the event was designed primarily for secondary school students, it was open to the whole community,” Gordon added.
“It’s so important that young people can explore the many career paths out there some they may not have even heard of yet.”
Hilltops Mayor Brian Ingram officially opened the event at 9 am, welcoming students and thanking organisers and exhibitors for their efforts. The first groups of students began arriving shortly after, rotating through interactive displays, Q&A sessions, and presentations throughout the day. Late registrations were still trickling in even after the official cutoff in mid April, reflecting strong interest in the event.
Teachers and guidance counsellors helped guide students through the various stalls, encouraging them to ask questions and gather information on training, employment, and education pathways.
Organisers said feedback from schools, exhibitors, and students was overwhelmingly positive.
“It was a terrific turnout and the students were engaged, asked great questions, and really seemed to take something away from the day.”
With such a strong response, the Rotary Club and its partners are hopeful Careers Day will return in 2026, even bigger and better.
-Liam Stuart
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