THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA
www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 4 Number 8 | May 2014
COMMUNITY
03
PINAY STUDENT IN ‘BIG CONVERSATION’
A Filipino-Australian student had a rare chance of learning lessons direct from the country’s
top chief executives at the recent ‘Big Conversation’ meet held at the Sydney CBD.
CRISHELLE Ordinario Bonifacio, a 16-year old Year 11
student of Terra Sancta College, represented her school
last March in roundtable discussions where business decision-makers and young student leaders exchanged ideas,
insights and aspirations for the
community.
The Big Conversation is a
project of the Business Council
of Australia which has formed a
new partnership with the Foundation for Young Australians.
“We met CEOs from Westpac, Telstra, Commonwealth
Bank, NAB, Microsoft, Wesfarmers, Cochlear and McDonald’s Australia. The CEOs
shared their stories and discussed how they believed that
our generation will benefit the
future and that we have what it
takes to strive in any industry if
we were given a chance,” said Crishelle.
“They gave us advice on what
led them to the top and what we
can do to prepare for our future.”
Crishelle recalled how excited she was at the event especially that she and the other students were given the opportu-
nity to express their ideas to the
corporate leaders.
“I’m pretty sure all students
agree that they were on their
high alert but it was comforting
being in a room with the CEOs
and that they are there for the
exact reasons we are. I stood up
and talked, I got a few laughs at
jokes I made up at the time easing the tension of the room,” she
said.
The BCA and FYA partnership focus on policies and actions to support young people
in making a successful transition from education to employment. Some projects include enabling the BCA and the FYA to
work together to identify workexposure opportunities and prepare young people for the world
of work beyond the classroom.
Crishelle was invited to the
‘Big Conversation’ after successfully participating in the ‘Work
Inspiration’ programme last
year. Earlier, she joined a sign
and graphics workshop held
at the Mt. Druitt TAFE where
they were taught skills in making neon signs, posters, Photoshop and other advertising tools.
The Work Inspiration pro-
gramme introduced them to
actual jobs they could be interested in.
“It was held during a period
of three days whilst we travelled
and met with Sign & Graphic industries such as Art & Soul and
had a behind the scenes look
into what it takes to be in a certain job,” she said.
“It gives us a sense of understanding on what we wanted to
do in the future; if not, lead us to
explore other options.”
At the Big Conversation, Crishelle singled out McDonalds
Australia female CEO Catriona Noble as one who really impressed her. Dubbed by some as
the ‘Burger Queen’, the Maccas
boss started working at the fastfood at age 14.
“I really admired her. She is
an example of one starting from
being an employee of McDonalds and climbing her way up to
becoming the CEO. She is what
everyone should be aiming for.
It doesn’t matter what company
or organisation. Just get through
hard work and you’ll be able to
climb your way to the top,” Crishelle said.
Crishelle is the eldest of
three siblings that included two
younger brothers. Her family
migrated to Australia in 1998,
when she was just a year old.
Her father, Crescencio, hails
from Pangasinan while mother, Sheryl Ordinario, hails from
Nueva Viscaya.
For the Terra Sancta student, the activity outside the
school