“This is a great event – I’ve met a lot of kids who want to work in early childhood, and a lot who want to work in health, and a lot who don’t know what they want to do, but they like my aeroplane anyway,” he said.
“I met a girl who has been transported four times because she has seizures. She jumped on the plane just before and said that it was the first time she had been on one of these when she had been conscious.”
Mr Ryan said RFDS offered a variety of employment opportunities.
“There would be a hundred different sorts of jobs that you could do with the flying doctors, everything from being a pilot, to a flight nurse, to a doctor, to a marketing person – it’s such a significant contributor to Australia,” he said.
Year 10 Lake Bolac P-12 College student Harmony Gordon said she was narrowing down her career options.
“I’m looking to do something in health, but I’m not sure what yet,” she said.
“I have been to the expo before – it’s really good to see all the other schools here.”
In the Try VET Centre in the Alan Heard Pavilion, an expo-first wounds demonstration hosted by Federation University offered a health industry hands-on experience.
Federation University nursing program support officer Petena Thomas said a range of experiences brought people to their exhibit.
“As well as the wounds, we have an interactive mannequin – you can listen to its heart-rate, it coughs, it moans, all things we use in prac rooms,” she said.
“We also have lucky dips, hangman and connect four, and a draw where people can win a $50 voucher.
“We’ve seen people here who are interested in nursing, and others who think it’s just a bit of fun and would like to win a prize.”
Expo organiser David Crooks said a variety of experiences were popular.
“Certainly, the Royal Flying Doctor Service flight simulator was popular, and Makita Tools, who have done a lot of hands-on activities with kids about how to safely use power tools and the like,” he said.
“The stage from Horsham Town Hall drew a lot of people, and of course, our major sponsor FedUni was always popular.
“It was fabulous today, we had huge crowds, and the most exhibitors we’ve ever had at a careers expo – a really great day with lots of people and lots of action.
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