Former Dubbo College Student and 2016 Clontarf boy Zaiden Britt is advising young Aboriginal males to "jump into the deep end" when presented with opportunities through the Clontarf Foundation.
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Year 11 and 12 students from Dubbo, Bourke and Orange travelled to the Dubbo Regional Convention Centre on Thursday for an event held by the Clontarf Foundation.
The Clontarf Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that assists in the education and employment of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.
The event posed as an opportunity for the men to gain employment and career experiences through mock interviews and by speaking to guests from local organisations, an array of industries, and the Australian Defence Force.
Clontarf Employment Officer and event organiser Bruce Wilson said he's passionate about leading the young men and inspiring them to succeed.
"Our kids are tomorrow's leaders," Mr Wilson said.
"I'm passionate about any kid that wants to have a go, but I'm especially passionate about our Aboriginal boys.
"Clontarf, as a whole, is a program that really in-grains the future of these boys.
"My passion is wanting them to succeed.
"I want to see them break the cycle, for some of these boys, this is the first time someone in their family is a year 12 graduate."
Dubbo College year 12 student Brendan Dennis was one of the many participants to walk away from the event feeling exactly as Mr Wilson had hoped.
"I was quite shy growing up, so coming here and being able to get the experience and learn what will be expected of you, especially going into interviews in the near future, is really helpful," Mr Dennis said.
"The experience has really inspired me to want to push myself further and to let other people know if I can do it you can do.
"I always wanted to commit myself to the army, so having people from the army come to the event and to be able to speak to them has increased that for me.
"It's good to have this experience and these opportunities."
Mr Britt said the advice he would give to others was to not hold back and to take on all the opportunities the Clontarf Foundation offered.
"Bit of advice to the boys: take every opportunity they give you, don't hold back, take every opportunity why you have it."
"Coming through the program, I always wanted to give back to these guys, they've done so much for me.
"Everything they have done has really hit me, that's why I want to give back.
"Clontarf will never give up on you, as long as you don't give up on them."