The outstanding achievements of 48 TasTAFE students from throughout Tasmania have been recognised at the inaugural TasTAFE Student Excellence Awards in Hobart tonight.
The awards celebrate the achievements of TasTAFE’s 2015 students across 17 categories and industry areas, recognising those who have not only excelled academically, but also personally, within the workplace and in the community.
The awards are an opportunity to raise the profile of vocational education and training, and highlight the benefits that VET offers employers, apprentices, trainees, students and the wider community.
As Tasmania’s public training provider and the state’s largest training provider, TasTAFE plays a vital role in meeting Tasmania’s training needs and up-skilling our workforce for the future.
Tonight the prestigious Minister for Education and Training’s TasTAFE Student of the Year Award went to Crystal Venus, who completed a Certificate III in Travel at TasTAFE Drysdale campus in Hobart last year.
The Award recognises an outstanding student who has demonstrated a commitment and passion for learning and continues to be driven and motivated in their training. It recognises a student who has worked tirelessly to excel in all aspects of life despite challenges, and who seeks and embraces opportunities in their personal lives and career.
Crystal was selected from the 48 finalists across all TasTAFE Student Excellence Awards categories.
Crystal came to the Certificate III in Travel totally new to study. As a single mother of three boys, two who have autism spectrum disorder, Crystal had to find the time for full-time study as well as the after-hours industry engagement that is an important aspect of the qualification.
Crystal showed great dedication to networking and gaining as much industry knowledge as possible. During the course Crystal gained full-time employment with Flight Centre International and is now a full-time travel consultant.
The award judges were extremely impressed by the personal obstacles Crystal has overcome, her sheer dedication and enthusiasm for learning and the value she placed on her training.
I would like to congratulate all of the finalists and winners on their talent, excellence and commitment to their training, and wish them every success for the future.
TasTAFE Student Excellence Awards Finalists and Winners (Winners names are embargoed until 9pm, Friday 16 February).
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
(These awards recognise outstanding individual achievement and commitment to training.)
The Premier’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Finalists:
Amay Scott: Diploma of Community Services Work (Devonport Campus)
Glen Maynard: Certificate II in Skills for Work and Training (Alanvale Campus, Launceston)
Jarrod Edwards: Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management (Burnie Campus)
WINNER: Jarrod Edwards
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Apprentice of the Year
Finalists:
Nathan Marshall: Certificate III in Engineering (Devonport Campus)
Drew Charlton: Certificate III in Carpentry (Clarence Campus)
Aden Tonks: Certificate III in Carpentry (Clarence Campus)
Ben Summers: Certificate IV in Engineering (Bender Drive Campus, Hobart)
WINNER: Drew Charlton
Colony 47
Access and Equity Student of the Year
Finalists:
Ram Bahadur Tamang: Course in Preliminary Spoken and Written English (Campbell St Campus, Hobart)
Kira Harvey: Diploma of Community Services Work (Devonport Campus)
Somayeh Kouhestani: Certificate III in Spoken and Written English (Bathurst St Campus, Hobart)
Mikayla Keating: Certificate IV in Human Resources (Devonport Campus)
WINNER: Somayeh Kouhestani
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania International Student of the Year
Finalists:
Surendra Khatri: Certificate III in Hospitality (Drysdale Hobart Campus)
Valerio Rosati: Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (Drysdale Hobart Campus)
Chiao-Shih Huang (Joyce): Certificate III in Patisserie (Drysdale Hobart Campus)
Gaesung Lee: Certificate III in Patisserie (Drysdale Hobart Campus)
WINNER: Surendra Khatri
RACT Special
Achievement Student of the Year
Tania Latham: Diploma of Community Services Work (Devonport Campus)
Jacqueline Francis: Certificate III in Education Support (Alanvale Campus, Launceston)
Crystal Venus: Certificate III in Travel (Drysdale Hobart Campus)
Rene du Plessis: Certificate III in Online Media (Alanvale Campus, Launceston)
WINNER: Crystal Venus
Work and Training Trainee of the Year
Finalists:
Erin Rae Cooke: Certificate III in Hospitality (Drysdale Campus, Hobart)
Leesa McLean-Freestone: Certificate II in Kitchen Operations (Drysdale Campus, Hobart)
WINNER: Erin Rae Cooke
INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
(These awards recognise and celebrate students who have not only excelled academically but have demonstrated a high level of skill and commitment in their particular industry areas).
MEGT Business Administration and Management Award
Finalists:
Rhiannon Slater: Certificate III in Micro Business Operations (Devonport Campus)
Nicola Edmunds: Certificate III in Accounts Administration (Launceston Campus)
Mikayla Keating: Certificate IV in Human Resources (Devonport Campus)
WINNER: Rhiannon Slater
The Tasmanian Building and Construction Industry Training Board Construction and Allied Trades Award
Finalists:
Esther Fletcher Jones: Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying (Clarence Campus)
Jayden Wylie: Certificate III in Glass and Glazing (Clarence Campus)
Sidney Fielea: Certificate III in Glass and Glazing (Clarence Campus)
WINNER: Jayden Wylie
Queen Victoria Museum and Art
Gallery Creative Industries, Hair and Beauty Award
Finalists:
Jacqui Moyle: Diploma of Visual Arts (Devonport Campus)
Sam Treloar: Certificate III in Hairdressing (Campbell St Campus, Hobart)
Charles Bushby: Certificate III in Design Fundamentals (Inveresk Campus, Launceston)
WINNER: Jacqui Moyle
Tasmanian Hospitality Association Drysdale (Tourism, Hospitality and Cookery) Award
Finalists:
Bobby Byrne: Advanced Diploma of Tourism and Hospitality (Drysdale Hobart Campus)
Tahlia Schreck: Advanced Diploma of Travel and Tourism (Drysdale Hobart Campus)
Christopher Tooley: Certificate III in Catering Operations (Drysdale Hobart Campus)
WINNER: Bobby Byrne
Hydro Tasmania Electrical, Refrigeration and Instrumentation and Mining Award
Finalists:
Brock Wilton: Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Campbell St Campus, Hobart)
Samuel Kelly: Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Burnie Campus)
WINNER: Samuel Kelly
Department of Health and Human Services Health, Aged Care and Disability Services Award
Finalists:
Carla Willcox: Certificate III in Disability (Devonport Campus)
Duncan Woodroffe: Diploma of Nursing (Launceston Campus)
Michelle Cook: Diploma of Nursing (Launceston Campus)
WINNER: Carla Willcox
OPTUS and CISCO Information and Communication Technology Award
Finalists:
Harrison McGuiness: Certificate IV in Computer Systems Technology (Campbell St Campus, Hobart)
James Blyth Burleigh: Certificate IV in Computer Systems Technology (Campbell St Campus, Hobart)
WINNER: James Blyth Burleigh
TasTAFE Metal Trades and Automotive Award
Finalists:
Matthew McAlister: Certificate IV in Engineering (Devonport Campus)
Michael Mendoza: Certificate III in Engineering (Bender Drive Campus, Hobart)
WINNER: Matthew McAlister
Primary Employers Tasmania Primary Industries and Science Award
Finalists:
Geoff Boyden: Certificate III in Landscape Construction (Alanvale Campus, Launceston)
Juanita Wood: Diploma of Horticulture (Burnie Campus)
Melissa Gard: Certificate III in Animal Studies (Clarence Campus)
WINNER: Melissa Gard
TASCOSS Vocational Preparation
and English Language Services Award
Finalists:
Siobhan Garrett: Certificate III in Employment and Training (Return to Study) (Bathurst St Campus, Hobart)
Wendy Holmes: Certificate II in Skills for Work and Training (Devonport Campus)
Belinda Mansley: Certificate I in Skills for Vocational Pathways (Alanvale Campus, Launceston)
WINNER: Wendy Holmes
The Minister for Education and Training’s TasTAFE Student of the Year
(This award has been chosen from finalists across all award categories. categories. It recognises an outstanding student who has demonstrated a commitment and passion for learning and continues to be driven and motivated in their training).
WINNER: Crystal Venus: Certificate III in Travel (Drysdale Hobart Campus)
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