More than 40 local business owners and group representatives gathered at the Rich River Golf Club alongside students from five local schools for the 2025 Echuca-Moama Beacon Careers Expo.
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Year 9 and 10 students from St Joseph’s Echuca, Echuca College, Moama Anglican Grammar, Australian Christian College and Twin Rivers Specialist School took part in the event.
Beacon Foundation project manager Cath Elms said the event was about creating connections between local industries and youth.
“It's exposing our local students to the incredible amount of our career opportunities in the area,” she said.
“When you go out in the community and you talk to industry, they're really excited to help, they really want to engage with that younger generation.”
The expo was spread out throughout the golf club, including in the car park where emergency services, farming and agriculture businesses, plumbing and other groups were gathered.
Inside there was a range of health services, such as disability services, nursing, pharmacists, physiotherapists and aged care options to name a few.
Students also had the chance to get more hands-on with engineering, wildlife, hospitality activities and more.
For students who weren’t sure about their future careers, there were stalls from personnel groups and apprenticeship support.
O’Connors branch manager Melissa Freeman said the event helps keep them at the forefront of students’ minds as a career option.
“Three of our current apprentices we actually met here at a previous expo,” she said.
“They see the brand, they see the colour, and they remember who we are so when they need to do work experience, we're front of mind for them to choose where to go and that helps.
“People just think we fix tractors... there's so much involved in technology, we've got a marketing department, there's IT as well and lots of roles that help across the group.”
Each student had the option to select four different workshops they would be interested in knowing more about.
Bright future for students
The Riv had the chance to speak to a few students about their thoughts on the event and their own goals for the future.
Thor Court, Echuca College
Thor had an idea of what he wanted to do after school but after exploring various options, he said he might change his mind.
“I really didn’t know there were so many jobs here, it was quite surprising,” he said.
“I had a vague idea of what I wanted to do. I want to do something surrounding psychology but definitely after having a look at some other (jobs), my mind could be changing a bit.”
During the expo, Thor chose to look into early childhood learning options, the Australian Defence Force, mental health social work and allied health.
Xanthia Davy, Australian Christian College
Xanthea chose to learn more about early childhood learning, paramedics, physiotherapy and nursing.
“I think it's nice to explore different things to find out a bit more about it,” she said.
“I think it could be interesting to be a nurse.”
Hannah Durrant, St Joseph’s Echuca
Hannah’s expo choices ranged widely for the day as she is still considering what she wants to do.
She chose to take part in the geologist, journalism/media, architecture and wildlife workshops.
“I’m not really sure what I want to do, I guess that’s why I’ve got a variety because I’m not sure what I need to do,” she said.
She said the expo was a great opportunity to explore possible industries and the pathways to get into that industry.
Ava Platfuss, Echuca College
Ava spent the day looking into options regarding building construction, being an electrician, a diesel mechanic and explored the options for those who weren’t sure.
“I have no idea what I want to do yet, I just like hands-on jobs and stuff and that’s about it,” she said.
Although she doesn’t have a set industry in mind, she is inspired by her sister, who works as an electrician.
“I just want to inspire other girls to do more hands-on work and to not be shy,” she said.
Amelia Dole, Australian Catholic College
Amelia chose to participate in the medical career, paramedic, teaching and pharmaceuticals workshops.
She said she enjoyed being able to explore the different careers, however she is set on following in the footsteps of her parents.
“I want to be a missionary in the Amazon jungle, reaching out to unreached tribes and taking medical aid in there,” she said.