The largest ever Townsville FOGS Indigenous Employment and Careers Expo was held at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre last Wednesday, 27th July.

The event drew over 3,000 Indigenous job seekers and school leavers from Townsville and surrounding areas.

A venue capacity of 65 exhibitors, all with employment, education and training vacancies on offer, were on hand to greet the record crowd of enthusiastic students and job seekers.

The Expo was first held in Townsville in 2009 and engaged 40 exhibitors and approximately 2,000 attendees. In 2010, support of the Expo grew with 55 exhibitors and approximately 2,500 attendees drawn to the event.

This year, in addition to career opportunities, job seekers and school leavers were treated to appearances of North Queensland Cowboys’ players Johnathan Thurston, Matt Bowen and Brent Tate.

The appearances of the current NRL stars were complemented by the attendance of an army of Former Origin Greats, including Arthur Beetson, Sam Backo, Gene Miles, Steve Walters, Allan Langer, Gary Belcher, Greg Dowling and Colin Scott.

A comprehensive try-a-trade display also added to the excitement of the day.

The set-up featured activities practised in the hospitality, construction, beauty and agricultural industries.

To cap off a truly engaging event, many of the job seekers and school leavers felt comfortable enough to show off their dancing skills as part of an interactive display of opportunities with the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts.

The 2011 FOGS Indigenous Employment and Careers Expo will next be held in Rockhampton on August 24, before heading to Toowoomba on September 14 and Brisbane on October 5.

For information about exhibiting at any of the remaining 2011 FOGS Expos, please call (07) 3217 9347.