The Business Liaison Association is proud to be a part of the annual Aspirations Day.
"Seven regional schools, ten guest speakers and twelve adjudicators met at Cairns State High on Monday 5th of September for the Aspirations Day forum and Navigating our Narratives Regional Public Speaking competition. The day was attended by over five hundred students, their families and friends from the wider community at Crosswell Hall.
Aspirations Day was underpinned by the quotation from Hamlet, Act IV Scene V that prompted students to ponder what they “may be”. All guests delivered thought provoking montages of their respective journeys.
Brigadier George Mansford AM penned an Aspirations Day poem for regional students and he certainly enlivened the crowd. His Excellency, Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, CVO, MC delivered a poignant and personal message to all involved.
Special thanks must go to The Honourable Curtis Pitt MP, Brydie Bilic (Barrister Endeavour Chambers), Rod Jensen (Former professional footballer and academic), Luckbir Singh (Director and Owner of MacDonnells Law), Dr Nimisha Aithal (Paediatric registrar and actress), Johnny Weiss (Managing Director of Trans-Tasman Bus Circle and son of two Holocaust survivors), Lisa Smith (Principal Education Officer QCAA), Cathy Devietti (Principal, Grant Thornton) and Major General Chris Field DSC, AM, CSC who captivated a capacity filled crowd at Crosswell Hall.
The public speaking competitions also were very well received thanks to the professionalism of all twelve adjudicators. Last but not least, it was very poignant for two of the students from Cairns High to introduce their parents who were on the panel!
Thank you to the Business Liaison Association and other sponsors for your continued support."
Patrice Honnef
Head of English
Cairns State High
"Hearing the stories of inspirational people, how they made the most of opportunities, overcame (sometimes very sad) challenges and sought to achieve their potential.
..... we had some of the region's most amazing young people give speeches about their view of the future world.
Thank you to all schools, all the wonderful guests and the wonderful Patrice Honnef for her commitment and enthusiasm for connecting young people to exemplary role models from across Australia."
Cairns State High School
