2024 Major Award Winners
CONGRATULATIONS AWARD WINNERS!
The Major Awards celebrate the achievements of students who have wowed their lecturers, employers and peers. All graduates of 2024 have done an amazing job in completing their studies – however these students have truly excelled.
Central Regional TAFE staff and Governing Council would like to congratulate all Nominees and Award Winners for their efforts and hard work.
Geraldton
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Kalirra Tesling, Diploma of Beauty Therapy
Sponsored by Rio Tinto
Apprentice Student of the Year
Jake Bignell, Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade (Fitting)
Sponsored by Community Bank – Bendigo Bank Geraldton
Cultural Diversity Training Award
Abigael Idowu, Certificate III in Individual Support
Sponsored by the Foreshore Geraldton
Vocational Student of the Year
Emma Simmons, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Sponsored by Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Trainee Student of the Year
Lucy Osborn, Certificate III in Businesss
Sponsored by Humfrey Land Developments
International Student of the Year
Louise Hill, Certificate IV in Environmental Monitoring and Technology
Sponsored by Mitsui E&P Australia
Kalgoorlie
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Jacquelyn McCoy, Diploma of Counselling
Sponsored by BHP
Apprentice Student of the Year
Zien Carruth, Certificate III in Carpentry
Sponsored by Northern Star Mining Services Pty Ltd
Cultural Diversity Training Award
Mary Ann Laureta, Certificate IV in Mental health & Diploma of Counselling
Sponsored by Lynas Rare Earths
Vocational Student of the Year
Linda Larbi, Certificate IV in Community Services
Sponsored by Evolution Mining
Trainee Student of the Year
Nicole Stone, Certificate IV in Business
Sponsored by Evolution Mining
International Student of the Year
Giselle Vergara, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Sponsored by Natrad
Northam
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Amelia Bin Sali, Certificate IV in Community Services
Sponsored by Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation
Apprentice Student of the Year
Nicholas Snell, Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology
Sponsored by Lions International
Cultural Diversity Training Award
Melody Inkoom, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Sponsored by Bendigo Bank Toodyay & Districts
Vocational Student of the Year
Sophie Griffin, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Sponsored by Darren West
Trainee Student of the Year
Elisa-Jane Thompson, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Sponsored by the Shire of Northam
James Dawson Award
Christopher Damant, Certificate IV in School Based Education Support
Sponsored by Essential Personnel
International Student of the Year
Hong Ye, Diploma of Nursing
Sponsored by People with Disabilities WA
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We thank our valued sponsors for their ongoing support of our Major Awards.
Your celebration of the next generation of industry leaders is appreciated.
Thank you to the sponsors of the Midwest & Gascoyne Major Awards:
Rio Tinto
Community Bank – Bendigo Bank Geraldton
The Foreshore Geraldton
Mitsui E&P Australia
Humfrey Land Developments
Midwest Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Thank you to the sponsors of the Goldfields Major Awards:
BHP
Northern Star Mining Services
Lynas Rare Earths
Evolution Mining
Natrad
Thank you to the sponsors of the Wheatbelt Major Awards:
Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation
Lions International
Bendigo Bank Toodyay & Districts
Darren West
Shire of Northam
Essential Personnel
People with Disabilities WA
Other Awards
VETDSS Awards
The Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students Awards (VETDSS) recognises excellence in students undertaking Vocational Education and Training Programs in schools and is a significant strategy to enhance the profile of these programs. It is recognises the partnerships between Central Regional TAFE and local businesses who continue to support students in hosting valuable work placement opportunities.
The VETDSS Awards also includes Employer Awards which recognise the support of business and industry with the VETDSS program.
The Mid West & Gascoyne Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students Awards (VETDSS) recognises excellence in students undertaking Vocational Education and Training Programs in schools and is a significant strategy to enhance the profile of these programs in the Mid West and Gascoyne regions. It is also a time to recognise the partnerships between Central Regional TAFE and local businesses who continue to support Students in hosting valuable work placement opportunities.
The Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) Employer Awards recognise the support of business and industry with the VETDSS program and can be nominated by any member of School Staff, Parent/Guardian, Student or Central Regional TAFE employee involved in the program.
An Awards evening is held in October each year at our Geraldton Campus.
For schools: the Awards are an excellent promotional tool and validation of how your innovative training programs have benefited your students.
For businesses: the Awards provide a benchmark of excellence that places your organisation at the forefront in an increasingly competitive market.
All Student Category Award Winners will receive a $100 gift voucher to use in their industry and a framed certificate recognising their achievement. All Category Finalists will also be recognised at the Award event.
The highlight of the event is the announcement of the overall Mid West and Gascoyne VETDSS Student of the Year Award presented to the most outstanding student from any of the nominated categories in year 11 or 12 who will win a 32GB iPad.
Student nominations for the Mid West and Gascoyne VETDSS Awards are welcome from any Teacher, Trainer, VET Coordinator or Host Employer in the Mid West or Gascoyne region.
Employers may be nominated by any member of School Staff, Parent/Guardian or Student involved in the program in the Mid West or Gascoyne region. Categories include:
All applicants must meet the eligibility criteria to apply. Check the eligibility section in the Student Category Guidelines or Employer Nomination Pack to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and are nominating in the correct category.
For students, all nominations must be approved by their School Principal and Parent/Guardian.
For further assistance please contact:
Alison Noble - Coordinator Education & Training Programs
P: (08) 9956 2802 | E: vetdss@crtafe.wa.edu.au
WA Training Awards
The WA Training Awards recognise and reward outstanding achievements of apprentices, trainees and vocational students, and the contribution to training made by trainers, training organisations and employers. Winners of Central Regional TAFE Student Awards are strongly encouraged to apply for the WA Training Awards.
Students or lecturers may enter the awards in the following categories:
- WA Apprentice of the Year
- WA School-based Apprentice of the Year
- WA Trainee of the Year
- WA Vocational Student of the Year
- WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
- WA Cultural Diversity Training Award
- WA International Student of the Year
- WA Trainer of the Year
Applications open at the start of each year and the link for information including selection criteria, eligibility criteria, key dates and tips for applicants will be available to download.
Visit the Department of Training and Workforce Development website (opens in a new tab) for more information including the application criteria and to download the application guide.
Australian Training Awards
These are the peak national awards that showcase best practice in vocational education and training (VET). The Australian Training Awards recognise and celebrate excellence and are an important mechanism for promoting the benefits of vocational education and training.
Winners from each state and territory compete for a national award title. This has led to Australia-wide awareness and respect for skill-cased careers and skills excellence.
For more information about the Australian Training Awards visit their website.