BROLGA PROJECT: New manager, new campaign, fresh youth address age-old problem.

New campaign manager Lorena Ocrospoma will hit the ground running as she looks for over 100 regional work experience places for metropolitan university students in an innovative strategy designed to help redress the age-old issue of rural drift.

While the Brolga Project is a 19-month old initiative looking to build rural and regional capital by offering university students the chance to do work experience with regional businesses, non-government agencies or local councils; ‘Campaign 100’, is a short-term, high-energy program within the project, designed to place at least 100 students for the June/July semester break.

The rationale behind the initiative is to give metropolitan-based students an opportunity to experience the unique lifestyle and career choices offered in regional communities before they graduate, expecting many will return for a full-time career.

"There is some urgency with this campaign and we are looking for regional host agencies to help absorb the student numbers,” Lorena (pictured right) said.

“We already have more than 600 students on our books, ranging from young, first full-time job-seeking students to married mature agers who are keen to move their whole families if the work experience works out OK.

"It would be great to find placements for all 600 students,” Lorena continued, “but if we can get 100 or more out, we will be injecting powerful human and financial capital into regional communities, building a terrific foundation for the future of the project and ongoing opportunities for other students.”

Originally from Peru, Lorena’s career has spanned working with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, through economic and finance consulting to training women to act as leaders for their community.

“Campaign 100 is particularly exciting, and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Lorena concluded.   

For more information please contact:

Richard Cowley, Manager, The Brolga Project, 07 3366 1005 M 0412 189 787 Erichard@brolgaproject.com.au  

Lorena Ocrospoma, Campaign 100 Manager, 07 3366 1005, M 0422 677 181 Elorena@brolgaproject.com.au