More than 30 years ago, educator and former Cairns State High School Principal Angela Toppin recognised that more needed to be done to support rural and regional secondary students seeking tertiary education, vocational training and career opportunities beyond their local communities.
Her vision was to empower young people to broaden their career options and “give them wings to fly”.
Angela established the Business Liaison Association (BLA) to bridge the gap between secondary schools and the business community. For more than 30 years, she served as Chairperson alongside an Executive Committee of dedicated industry and education professionals from Cairns and surrounding regions.
From a Small Beginning to a Strong Regional Organisation
The BLA began with just $2,000 in start-up funding from the Department of Education. In its first year, the organisation raised approximately $16,000 in corporate support.
Early corporate sponsors included the Department of Education, Cairns Port Authority—now Ports North—and Cairns Region Group Training, now Skill360 Australia. The support of local businesses, government agencies, education providers and industry organisations has continued to strengthen the BLA and expand the opportunities available to students.
Today, the BLA works with thousands of students, teachers, schools, employers and community partners across Far North Queensland. In 2023, the organisation celebrated 30 years of incorporation and 30 years of making a difference for young people.
What We Do
The BLA has grown to deliver a diverse annual program of career education, industry engagement and student recognition opportunities, including:
These programs connect classroom learning with real-world careers and provide students with direct access to employers, professionals, academics, apprentices, training organisations and tertiary education providers.
Aspire and DATTA Awards
The BLA coordinates 28 Aspire Awards, covering a wide range of academic, creative, vocational, professional and industry-focused fields.
The organisation also coordinates 20 DATTA Award categories, together with additional overall awards recognising innovation, enterprise and outstanding achievement in design and technology.
The awards provide students with financial bursaries, scholarships, prizes, industry recognition and opportunities to further their education, training and career development.
Each year, students from schools across Far North Queensland participate in the application, interview, judging and presentation process. These awards are made possible through the generosity of sponsors, coordinators, teachers, judges and industry representatives.
Cairns Careers Expo
The BLA is best known for delivering the annual Cairns Careers Expo, one of Far North Queensland’s largest career education and pathway events.
The Expo connects students, families and members of the wider community with universities, training organisations, employers, apprenticeship and traineeship providers, government agencies, industry bodies and local businesses.
In 2026, the Cairns Careers Expo celebrated its 25th anniversary and recorded the highest exhibitor participation in the event’s history, with approximately 130 indoor and outdoor exhibitors and around 4,500 students attending.
The Expo has grown significantly since its early years and continues to demonstrate the strong demand for accessible, relevant and practical career information throughout the region.
Our Mission
The BLA’s mission is:
To encourage and provide secondary schools with relevant, up-to-date knowledge, skills and resources to meet the current and future demands of the business community.
The business community remains one of the BLA’s most valued collaborators. Through strong partnerships between education and industry, the BLA helps students explore opportunities, develop confidence, make informed decisions and prepare for their future careers.
Looking to the Future
The continued growth and success of the BLA would not be possible without the commitment of its sponsors, supporters, volunteers, coordinators, teachers, schools, employers, committee members and staff.
Together, they help create meaningful experiences and opportunities for young people across Far North Queensland.
The BLA remains committed to strengthening connections between education and industry and continuing to make great things happen for our young people.