Education & Industry
Pathways & Opportunity
Working Together

EVENTS FROM MAY - JUNE

Visiting Experts

Visiting Expert - Law Proffesor Anthony Gray

Visiting expert in Law, Professor Anthony Gray from Bond University, returned to Cairns again this year to engage with local schools and students through a series of activities linked to legal studies and key topics students were exploring in the classroom.

During his visit, Professor Gray presented at Gordonvale State High School, Innisfail State College, St Andrew’s Catholic College, St Monica’s College, St Stephen’s Catholic College and Trinity Bay State High School. Professor Gray also attended our Breakfast with the Law, adding further value to the program through his contribution and engagement with students.

Professor Gray hosted a Legal Studies Professional Development session for teachers in the region. Thank you to Elizabeth Rogerson from St Monica’s College for organising and hosting the session.

Once again, Professor Gray’s visit received positive feedback from schools, highlighting the value of bringing industry experts and academic voices to the region.

Onsite Visits

Over the last few months, students have taken part in five industry site visits, providing valuable opportunities to experience workplaces firsthand and learn more about different industries and career pathways.

Site visits included:

Ergon Energy - 29 April: Atherton State High School, Babinda State School, Gordonvale State High School, Malanda State High School, Smithfield State High School, St Andrew’s Catholic College, St Monica’s College, Trinity Bay State High School
Norweld - 30 April: Stars Academy students from Cairns State High School and Woree State High School
CSF - 7 May: Mount St Bernard College and St Andrew’s Catholic College
Cairns Hardware - 7 May: St Monica’s College
BDO’s Big Day Out - 20 May: St Mary’s Catholic College

Employers enjoyed the opportunity to host, and teachers and students shared positive feedback about the quality of the experiences and the value the visits provided.

Site visits are an important part of the BLA program because they give students direct exposure to real workplaces, helping them better understand industry expectations, and providing opportunities to see the wide range of career opportunities available to them.

Thank you to our industry partners who generously host students and support this valuable program.

Aspire and DATTA Awards and Competitions

Award season is well underway and several Aspire award categories have already been judged.

The Interschool Mathematics Competition held at JCU on 6 May was a great success. The competition saw Year 7 to 9 students competing against one another using their problem-solving skills, maths knowledge and critical thinking skills. Once again, the competition showcased strong participation and enthusiasm from students across the region. Thank you to Prasad Nair from Newman Catholic College for coordinating the event.

The Salt House Restaurant Culinary Challenge was held at Tully State High School on 10 June. The competition showcased the impressive culinary skills of participating students, with Abigail from BLA and Julian, Executive Chef from Salt House, serving as judges. Both judges were blown away by the high standard of the students’ culinary, presentation and teamwork skills throughout the event. Thank you to Amy Sachlikidis from Tully State High School for coordinating the competition and to Tully State High School for hosting the event. The overall winner of the Year10/11 Senior Category has the opportunity to spend a full day working alongside the chefs at Salt House Cairns.

The ECOMAN Competition was held at BDO over two days, 11–12 June. This competition challenged students to take over a business and make executive decisions relating to sales, human resources and environmental considerations. Throughout the challenge, students showcased their business skills, knowledge and persistence. Abigail from BLA and a representative from BDO judged the students’ final presentations and were highly impressed by the quality of work and professionalism demonstrated by participants. Thank you to Dan Kaggelis from Smithfield State High School for coordinating the event, Debbie Perrett for running the competition, and BDO for providing the venue over the two days.

18 awards are currently available on the website for students to apply for.

Award applications closing soon include:

Keith Goodwin Memorial Scholarship in Accounting and Business - applications due 16 July 2026
Cairns Lawyers Legal Essay Competition - applications due 20 July 2026
Department of Education Far North Literary Competition - applications due 21 July 2026
Excellence in Business Awards - applications due 22 July 2026
Brett Moller Legal Bursaries Award - applications due 24 July 2026
DATTA Awards - applications due 21 August 2026

To see the full list of awards and closing dates, head to our website BLA Awards & Competitions

Industry Breakfast – My Career In Manufacturing Breakfast

The ‘My Career in Manufacturing’ Breakfast, held on 22 April 2026, was a fantastic day of industry engagement, with 151 students, 19 teachers and 36 industry professionals in attendance.

Participating schools included Cairns State High School, Djarragun College, Freshwater Christian College, Redlynch State College, St Andrew’s Catholic College, St Augustine’s College, St Monica’s College, St Stephen’s College, Trinity Bay State High School and Smithfield State High School.

The event provided students with practical career insights, exposure to real industry experiences, and a better understanding of the different pathways available in manufacturing. It also highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between schools and industry to support young people as they consider their future careers.

Guest speakers included:

Isaac Edminston | Special Projects Director | Norweld Australia
Suzanne Kulk | Industry Engagement Manager, Diversity | MSQ
Maddie Smith | Second Year Boilermaker Apprentice | Hanby Welding & Engineering
Nathan Dwight | Apprenticeship Consultant | MAS National

Students valued hearing directly from guest speakers and panellists, with many highlighting the real-life stories, experiences and career journeys shared throughout the event.

The opportunity to ask questions and engage with industry representatives was much appreciated, helping students gain practical insight into manufacturing careers and pathways.

Hearing from an apprentice about their experience and learning about different trade options stood out for many students, giving them a better understanding of the opportunities available in the industry.

Industry Breakfast – Breakfast with the Law

Our Breakfast with the Law, held on 22 May 2026, brought together 129 students, 14 teachers and 13 legal professionals, providing students with a valuable opportunity to engage directly with members of the legal profession and gain insights into career pathways and professional practice.

Participating schools included The BUSY Schools, Cairns State High School, Gordonvale State High School, Newman Catholic College, St Augustine’s College, St Monica’s College, Trinity Bay State High School and Woree State High School.

Students heard from a panel of industry professionals who shared their career journeys, experiences in the legal profession and advice on pathways into law. Feedback indicated that students found the presentations engaging and informative, particularly the insights into legal careers and the opportunities available within the industry.

Guest speakers included:

Tessa Muhling | Associate | Rose Litigation Lawyers
Professor Anthony Gray | Law Professor | Bond University
David Frees | Founder | Business Black Ops

Feedback highlights:

“Professor Anthony Gray’s Great Debate was a standout highlight, with students highly engaged and eager to test their legal knowledge. The debate sparked lively discussion across schools, encouraging students to share opinions and explore different perspectives on legal and human rights issues.”

“Students also enjoyed hearing from guest speakers and peers, with many highlighting the mix of real-world insights, interactive discussion and a great event atmosphere.

“David Frees was another memorable highlight, with students enjoying his American perspective, “spy” stories and energetic “ooh yeah” moments that kept the session entertaining and engaging.

Industry Breakfast – Ergon Energy Young Leaders Breakfast

Students attending the annual Ergon Energy Young Leaders Breakfast event, held on 29 May 2026,

learned that leadership can take many forms and making a positive impact in the workplace does not require a formal management role or leadership position. Speakers also highlighted the value of mentors, the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone, and reassurance that it is okay not to have everything figured out straight away.

75 students, 14 teachers and 21 industry professionals attended this highlight event on the BLA calendar with participating schools including Atherton State High School, Freshwater Christian College, Gordonvale State High School, Innisfail State College, MacKillop Catholic College, St Andrew’s Catholic College, St Mary’s Catholic College, St Monica’s College, Trinity Bay State High School and St Stephen’s Catholic College.

Guest speakers included:

Grahame Lendon | Senior Hybrid Generation Engineer | Ergon Energy
Jessica Hampton | Graduate of Architecture | CA Architects
Belinda Danks-Woodley | Founder | DW&Co.
Bryce Coe | Manager in Private Enterprise | Grant Thornton
Claire Simmons | Executive Manager Development & Planning | Cairns Regional Council

Feedback highlights included:

“Students valued hearing directly from the guest speakers and panellists, with many describing the presentations as inspiring, engaging and easy to connect with.”

“Learning about different career paths and leadership journeys was a key highlight, particularly hearing how speakers built their skills, overcame challenges and found their way into leadership roles.”

“The opportunity to speak with panellists one-on-one and connect with students from other schools stood out, helping students feel encouraged, supported and more confident about their own future pathways.”

2026 Cairns Careers Expo

The BLA team extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making the Cairns Careers Expo 25th Anniversary such a valuable and positive experience for students and attendees exploring future career pathways and opportunities. This milestone reflects the continued growth and success of the Expo, which is made possible through the support and involvement of exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, suppliers, food vendors, teachers, students, and members of the wider community.

The 2026 Cairns Careers Expo attracted the highest number of exhibitors in the event’s 25-year history, with an impressive 130 indoor and outdoor exhibitors participating, demonstrating the importance of career education and industry engagement within Far North Queensland. The Expo continues to be one of the region’s premier career pathway events, connecting young people with employers, training organisations, universities, apprenticeship and traineeship providers, industry bodies, and local businesses. This year we welcomed more than 4,500 students, along with members of the general public, highlighting the strong demand for meaningful career information and real-world engagement opportunities across Cairns and the wider region.

The BLA team look forward to again bringing together industry, education, and the community for another inspiring and successful Careers Expo in 2027. See you there!

IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Monday, 13 July 2026 | Term 3 Starts

Wednesday, 15 -17 July 2026 | Cairns Show
Thursday, 16 July 2026 | Agricultural Futures Award - Shortlisted Students Notified
Thursday, 16 July 2026 | Keith Goodwin Memorial Scholarships in Accounting and Business - Application due
Thursday, 16 July 2026 | Mario Calanna North Queensland Speaking Competition - Competition date
Friday, 17 July 2026 | Cairns Show Public Holiday
Monday, 20 July 2026 | Cairns Lawyers Legal Studies Essay Competition - Application due
Tuesday, 21 July 2026 | Department of Education Far North Literary Competition - Application due
Thursday, 23 July 2026 | BDO Big Day Out #2
Friday, 24 July 2026 | Brett Moller Legal Bursaries Award - Application due
Friday, 24 July 2026 | JCU Open Day
Monday, 27 July 2026 | Excellence In Business Awards - Application due
Monday, 27 July 2026 | Excellence In Visual Arts Awards - Portfolio due
Tuesday, 28 July 2026 | iEngage - Norweld [10.30 am - 12.00 pm]
Wednesday, 29 July 2026 | Pacifica Chartered Accountants Mock Court Competition - Competition Date
Thursday, 30 July 2026 | Department Of Education Early Childhood Education Awards - Application due
Thursday, 30 July 2026 | Excellence In Performing Arts Awards - Application due
Friday, 31 July 2026 | Brett Moller Legal Bursaries Award - Shortlisted students notified
Friday, 31 July 2026 | CQUniversity Digital Technologies Awards - Application due
Friday, 31 July 2026 | Ergon Energy Innovation Awards - Application due
Friday, 31 July 2026 | FGF Development Design Awards - Application due
Friday, 31 July 2026 | Hutchinson Builders Award Excellence In Built Environment Design - Application due
Friday, 31 July 2026 | Jacobs Engineering Award - Application due
Monday, 3 August 2026 | Agricultural Futures Award - Interviews
Wednesday, 5 August 2026 | Excellence In Business Awards - Interviews
Wednesday, 5 August 2026 | Vocational Education And Training Awards - Application due
Wednesday, 5 August 2026 | Vocational Education And Training Awards - Interviews
Friday, 7 August 2026 | Brett Moller Legal Bursaries Award - Interviews
Saturday, 8 August 2026 | Keith Goodwin Memorial Scholarships in Accounting and Business - Interviews
Monday, 10 August 2026 | Science Week
Tuesday, 11 August 2026 | iConnect - Carey Group
Thursday, 13 August 2026 | Cairns Hardware Site Visit - 8.00 am - 12.00 pm
Friday, 21 August 2026 | Catholic Education Historical Writing Competition - Application due
Friday, 21 August 2026 | DATTA Awards - Application due
Friday, 21 August 2026 | Sponsors Event
Monday, 24 August 2026 | Business Planning Competition - Application due
Thursday, 17 September 2026 | Aspire Awards Night
Friday, 18 September 2026 | DATTA Awards - Projects due at Redlynch by 3 pm Friday
Saturday, 19 September 2026 | School Holidays