Bunbury TAFE student Nicholas Johnston has been named the South Regional TAFE student of the year for 2017.
South Regional TAFE’s highest achievers for 2016 celebrated at the college’s annual award nights on March 9 in Albany and March 10 in Bunbury.
For the first time, overall South Regional TAFE awards were presented.
Award winners in the six major categories were assessed against the South West winners of the same categories to determine an overall winner for each.
Sallie Brittain was named winner of the women in non-traditonal trades award sponsored by the Zonta Club of Bunbury.
Ms Brittain is a WorldSkills regional gold medallist and won a bronze medal at the WorldSkills Australia national competition in 2016.
Alongside working at Bunbury’s Market Eating House, Ms Brittain is studying a Certificate III in commercial cookery as well as a patisserie course.
Donnybrook hairdresser Sarah Tassone, who trains at the Bunbury campus, was named apprentice of the year.
Beating students from 12 other South Regional TAFE campuses for this award, Ms Tassone has also won a bronze medal at the 2016 WorldSkills Australia national competition.
Students who had demonstrated outstanding performance and academic excellence during the year were recognised with the presentation of course awards and major sponsored awards.
For the South West and Narrogin campuses, the finalists and winners were joined at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre by their family and friends, college staff, members of the governing council, sponsors and invited guests.
South Regional TAFE managing director Duncan Anderson congratulated those receiving recognition.
“The students receiving awards this evening have demonstrated drive, determination and application,” Mr Anderson said.
Mr Anderson spoke of the valuable support the students had received from their families and friends, who helped them to combine study with work and other personal commitments.
He also applauded the college’s dedicated lecturing staff, who had nurtured them along their learning journey and helped them to achieve their goals.
Thanking the evening’s numerous sponsors for their generosity, he said the college placed tremendous value on community and industry support.
“It is immeasurable, both in the nurturing and education of our students and for funding for awards,” Mr Anderson said.
This year, the spoils were divided, with three students from the South West and three from the Great Southern taking out overall South Regional TAFE awards.
To see the full list of award winners, click here.
