Transit Systems NSW was proud to welcome 17 students from the Coonamble Academy, part of the Clontarf Foundation network, to our Hoxton Park Depot for an interactive and inspiring career experience.

The visit aimed to promote to the diverse career pathways within Transit Systems and the wider public transport industry - and judging by their enthusiasm, it was a day to remember.

Stories That Inspire

The day began with an engaging presentation, where our team shared their personal career journeys:

Marcela shared her story of arriving in Australia without any English skills and, through persistence and hard work, building a career she loves as a fully independent and active member of the workforce.

Jayson, our Head of Operations TTP – Southwest Link and Tracey, our Operations Manager, inspired with their progression from starting as bus drivers to thriving in senior management roles, proving that growth and opportunity are always possible with dedication and the right support.

Learning, Laughter, and a Little Competition

To keep the energy high, the team ran a fun trivia session with prizes, followed by the Marshmallow Challenge, a hands-on activity where students worked in small teams to build the tallest free-standing structure using only spaghetti, tape, string, and a single marshmallow. It sparked creativity, teamwork, and plenty of laughs as some towers stood tall while others collapsed in dramatic fashion!

Thanks to our Ferragosto partners, the students walked away with repurposed AFL hats and scarves, along with Transit Systems cooler bags. The friendly competition created a vibrant atmosphere and left everyone smiling.

Behind the Scenes of Public Transport

The students then embarked on a site tour that showcased the many moving parts behind delivering safe and reliable bus services every day. They visited:

·       Payroll – learning how people get paid on time and correctly

·       Scheduling & Planning – discovering the precision behind timetables and shifts

·       Maintenance – seeing the work that keeps our buses running safely

·       Operations – understanding how everything comes together

The tour concluded in the depot yard, where we gathered for a group photo before handing out gift packs. Each pack included employment brochures, Transit Systems merchandise, a certificate of participation in the Transit Systems Future On Board Site Visit and a personalised letter from our Managing Director,Rino, encouraging the students to stay focused on their career goals.

A Shared Commitment to Youth Opportunity

The Coonamble Academy is one of several regional academies operated by the Clontarf Foundation, an organisation dedicated to supporting positive educational and developmental outcomes for Indigenous youth across Australia. This visit was part of a wider set of activities surrounding the Ross Kelly Cup Gala Dinner - a celebration recognising Year 9 and 10 students who excelled in academic performance, attendance, and behaviour.

The Ross Gala Dinner sees over 1,150 attendees, including 850 students, the Gala Dinner was a vibrant celebration of achievement. Guests were inspired by keynote speakers Jeff Hardy and James Grant, who spoke about the link between sport, education, and leadership.

Making It Happen

This visit came to life thanks to Clontarf reaching out to arrange a site experience for the students, tying in perfectly with Transit Systems’ ongoing engagement with the Foundation.

We extend our sincere thanks to:

• Tracey , Jayson  and Kaz  – for your openness and willingness to share your personal career journeys.
• Epelia – for coordinating the day so smoothly.
• Roy , Hamish and Melissa  – for your presence and support on the day.
• Our Payroll, Maintenance, Operations and Scheduling & Planning teams – for taking the time to engage with the students and explain the vital roles you play behind the scenes.
• Loomi – for designing an engaging team-based game that highlighted essential skills like teamwork and communication.
• Marcela – for delivering an inspiring and motivating overview of the career opportunities available at Transit Systems.

By opening our doors and sharing our stories, we hope to inspire the next generation to dream big, work hard, and consider the diverse opportunities within public transport.