The 2025 Brewarrina Community Careers Expo, held last Tuesday July 29 at the Brewarrina Community Hall, has been hailed as a resounding success, drawing in more than 60 attendees from across the Brewarrina Shire and beyond. The event provided an invaluable opportunity for participants of all ages—from school leavers and students to mature age community members—to explore a diverse range of employment, training and study pathways.

A vibrant atmosphere filled the hall with 14 exhibitors from a broad range of sectors coming together to share their expertise and inspire attendees. Among the exhibitors were Orana Haven, Catholic Care, UNSW, TAFE NSW, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue, the Australian Defence Force (ADF), Police, Rural Fire Service (RFS), Brewarrina Shire Council, Yancoal, Legal Aid, Western Local Land Services, and Bilingarra. Their presence offered a comprehensive overview of career and study options available within the region and beyond.

Schools including Brewarrina Central School and Brewarrina Christian Schools brought along enthusiastic students, who seized the chance to connect directly with industry professionals, ask questions, and gather information on future study and employment opportunities. Mature age community members also embraced the occasion, engaging with exhibitors and exploring new avenues for career development or a change in direction.

Brewarrina Shire Council General Manager David Kirby praised the event’s impact and said the one-on-one connections exhibitors and participants had, was invaluable.   

“The success of this year’s expo is a testament to the collective commitment to supporting career growth and opportunity within our community. Bringing together such an outstanding mix of exhibitors and participants demonstrates the incredible talent and potential in our region. We were especially pleased to see strong representation come along and to find out more about new career and study opportunities,” said Mr Kirby.

“Most of the organisations who came along offer specific pathways for remote and regional students but many in our community were unaware of these opportunities.

“UNSW for example, has the Nura Gili Centre for Indigenous Programs which offers a range of programs specifically tailored to empower young people and explore career interest. They offer a completely free Youth Program that gives students in years 10, 11 and 12 an opportunity to taste uni life in Sydney during a weeklong trip in January. They also have gateway admissions programs, looking at more than just ATAR scores for entry for students, as well as mature age student pathways.

“It’s so important that not only young people, but also those community members who are interested in furthering their education or exploring new career paths are aware of the opportunities out there.”

Throughout the day, attendees engaged in hands-on experiences and productive discussions with representatives from educational institutions, government agencies, emergency services, and local employers, gaining valuable insights into industry-specific pathways and support services.

“I want to extend my gratitude to all exhibitors, participants and supporters who contributed to making the day such a memorable and positive experience. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to offer opportunities for career exploration and development in the years ahead,” concluded Mr Kirby.