Student excellence honoured at TAFE awards

THE Federation TAFE awards have celebrated 42 outstanding student achievers and educators.

The event, which was held at the Mining Exchange, recognised recipients across 30 categories.

Certificates were presented by sponsors and community leaders including Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves.

“The City of Ballarat’s association with Federation University Australia’s TAFE Awards for Excellence goes back almost 70 years and we are proud to continue supporting the prestigious event,” Cr Hargreaves said.

“It is critical that we teach people the importance of using their skills and knowledge to obtain gainful employment, self-esteem and make a positive contribution to our community and economy.”

Certificate III in electrotechnology electrician student Lachlan McKenzie was named apprentice of the year, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ballarat South, while trainee of the year, sponsored by the City of Ballarat, was nursing student Cathrin Logan.

The EJT Tippett Outstanding Achievement Award went to Diploma of Engineering – Technical student Owen Pugh.

“Studying with Federation TAFE has been a great experience for me,” Mr Pugh said.

“The Diploma of Engineering –Technical course content, my teacher, Justin Bisson, who had a real impact on me, and working with all the students from different employment and learning backgrounds really gave me a new perspective on things.

“The hands-on nature of the course required you to think in practical terms, such as application and outcome of engineering, practical design and working as a part of a team, and was something I wouldn’t have been able to get anywhere else.”

Two new awards were sponsored by the Highlands Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN).

The Highlands LLEN VET Cluster VETDSS award for excellence went to Piper Burzacott, Jordan Canavan, Noah McLelland and Molly Skoblar, while the Highlands LLEN Vocational major award was presented to Giaan Watts.

Certificate III in engineering composites trade student Eden Row received the Rotary Club of Ballarat endeavour award and Chris Britten, Azlan Harris and Alexander Radoll were presented with the Federation TAFE growth award, given to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students who demonstrate commitment to their studies.

The VET teacher/trainer of the Year was Wimmera Federation TAFE Diploma of Nursing teacher Gabrielle McCulloch. Students who completed their apprenticeship in 2024 received the honorary title of Craftsperson of the City of Ballarat.