Student up for top honours

A BENDIGO TAFE student is in the running to be named the Victorian Training Awards Koorie Student of the Year.

Angelika Fevaleaki’s nomination as a finalist follows her recognition in February as Bendigo TAFE’s 2024 Aunty Melva Johnson Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.

A Mutthi Mutthi woman, Ms Fevaleaki studied for the Diploma of Community Services in Mildura, which was delivered by Bendigo TAFE and customised for Mallee District Aboriginal Services.

She was the first in her family to finish high school and, with dreams of becoming a youth worker, she enrolled at university but felt she needed some life experience first.

That experience includes extensive employment, further study and a family of her own.

“The course was facilitated through the Bendigo TAFE teacher coming to Mildura, on Latji Latji land, each month for two to three days,” Ms Fevaleaki said.

“My passion and my drive would have to be my life experiences and my understanding of growing up and seeing my relatives that weren’t given an opportunity or the support to be better and be great.

“My grandparents weren’t given the right to be able to have an education so I think it’s just beyond amazing that I had the opportunity to do so and do it freely.”

Ms Fevaleaki works for McKillop Family Services in family preservation and reunification response.

“I’m pretty proud of myself and proud of being a person to stand there for all Aboriginal people across the nation,” she said.

“It’s always good to be that role model for my children so then they can be something that they want to be.”

Award winners will be announced at a ceremony on 30 August. Presented by the Victorian Skills Authority, this year’s event features 40 finalists in 14 categories.

Bendigo TAFE chief executive officer Sally Curtain said the institution was “incredibly proud” of Ms Fevaleaki and what she had achieved for herself, her family and her community.

“We are privileged to be part of her journey by providing access to skills and training on location,” she said.