LAUNCESTON - "Building Aspirations - Get the life you love Forum" 1 May 2012

Over 650 Year 10, 11 & 12 students from 13 schools across northern Tasmania

Guest Speakers:

  • MC – Steve Liebmann
  • Jo Palmer - Southern Cross News Presenter
  • Kate Ritchie ‐ One of Australia’s most recognised Actors (including Home & Away, Underbelly and COPS:LAC), Silver and Gold Logie winner, Breakfast Radio ('Merrick and Rosso and Kate Ritchie Show')
  • Brad Smith ‐ Owner and founder of motorcross brand "Braaap"
  • Leading Seaman David Ferguson.

Guest Speakers’ quotes included:

Jo Palmer:

“Some of the most successful people in life are the bravest. The braver you are, the higher you climb”

Brad Smith:

“It's hard to fly like an eagle when you're hanging with turkeys - the people you are hanging with are making you dumber or making you smarter.”

“progress is the s**t that makes you feel alive”

It's not what you do, it's how you do it"

"Hell on earth would be to meet the person I could have become"

Kate Ritchie:

“The bad days can be good days in the end. Keep at it - you will always come out the other end.”

David Ferguson:

“Put in the same effort in school as in your sport of other leisure activities. School is really important – you don’t want to get knocked back for jobs just because you don’t have the right grades.”

Steve Liebmann:

"No matter what you do in life, do your best"

Career Stories Panel:

  1. Danny Gibson (Launceston Alderman)
  2. Melissa Carlton (Australian Paralympian and Launceston Aquatic centre Manager)
  3. John X (Musical Performer)
  4. Jacinta Prewer (Hairdresser /Business Owner)
  5. Sam Thiele (Youth Pastor).

Quotes from Panel included:

  • Every time you fail, you learn something" (John X)
  • Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way
  • Do what you love
  • Never be afraid to ask for help.

One Program Manager (who attended the Forum) commented to her students “the more often we hear these critical, concise and relevant messages the more likely they are to make a difference, not to mention the need for us all to find inspiration and motivation from the real lives of others in our world.”

 Student feedback included (Brooks High Yr10 student) “Brad Smith inspired me because he showed me that anything is possible” and (Kings Meadow Yr10 student) Jo Palmer was the best because she told us that you need to be brave”.

On arrival students were invited to participate in a “Have your say” activity. Of the 449 responses recorded to the question – “What do you consider is the greatest challenge in your community to get the life you love?” - 63% indicated Motivation.  This was a significant result compared with the other options which included “Opportunities” (19%); “Access to Education and Training” (7%); “Information about career development” (6%); and “Support Services” (5%). These results mirror the results from other Forum locations. Interestingly, of the 434 Feedback Worksheets completed by students on the day 80% indicated that the Forum had motivated them to investigate their career options.