2002 North Coast Institute Student Achievement Awards

Maureen Gill
Student of the Year
and Andrew Lee, Compaq "Part of the new HP"

Maureen successfully completed Certificate IV in Community Services (Welfare Studies) with a distinction level grade through the Wollongbar Campus. Maureen consistently achieved high grades and always completed assessment items in a manner that was far beyond the required Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria.

Scott Gray
Apprentice of the Year
and Brett White, North Coast Training Group, Hunter Valley Training Company

Scott successfully completed his TAFE course as part of his Trade Apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery through the Coffs Harbour Campus. Scott is also the winner of the Construction and Transport Student Achievement Award. Scott was a diligent and enthusiastic student and consistently achieved high marks in all aspects of the course.

Conway Edwards
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award
ATSIC

Conway successfully completed Certificate III in Agriculture through the Coffs Harbour Education Campus (CHEC). Conway is also the winner of the Primary Industries and Natural Resources Student Achievement Award.

Conway extended himself and completed his course by consistent application under challenging circumstances. He participated in additional learning activities willingly in order to advance his education and career prospects. Conway applied himself in all learning activities, both theoretical and practical, both on and off campus, thus earning the respect of his teachers, technical staff and fellow students.

Tracy Bradshaw
Trainee of the Year
and Michael Wadsworth, Mid Coast Training Group, Hunter Valley Training Company

Tracy completed the Certificate II in Office Administration with distinction grades through the Kempsey Campus. Tracy's on the job work, as a trainee with the Kempsey Campus, has been of an excellent standard. Tracy has become a valuable member of the administration team as well as being a highly respected student within her course.

Tracy was a role model to the younger students in the class as well as being a member of the Student Association Board. Tracy is also heavily involved with the Djigay Association with student information and support. Tracy participated and organised staff and student activities including barbeques, excursions and motivational sessions. Tracy was actively involved in the organization of the Djigay Centre of Excellence end of year dinner for staff and students and is a community member of the Durri Medical Service.

Tracy hopes to gain full-time employment and be a role model for other young aboriginal women wishing to study office administration.

Michael Gait
Business Services Achievement Award
and Gordon Meggatt, Australian Business Ltd

Michael has successfully completed Certificate IV in Financial Services through the Taree Campus. Michael's results were at a consistently high level across the whole range of subjects. Michael is a mature student who chose to return to establish new opportunities of employment after being self employed in Primary Production for over 20 years. In the future, Michael would like to assist small businesses in dealing with the large amount of paperwork that accompanies their every day activities. In particular, Michael would like to work with businesses involved in primary production.

Maureen Gill
Community Services and Health Achievement Award
and Les Rokobauer , Manchester Unity

Maureen successfully completed Certificate IV in Community Services (Welfare Studies) with a distinction level grade through the Wollongbar Campus.

Maureen came to TAFE as a mature-aged student unsure of her abilities, but with a strong sense of social justice and a huge caring heart. Maureen has fostered over 50 children over the past 10 years, nursed her ill husband of 20 years, supported other foster parents in the area and was a dynamic supportive member of her TAFE class. Maureen is also the Area Representative for the Foster Carer's Association. In this role she provides support and a "listening ear" to other foster parents in the area.

Maureen's positive outlook in life is infectious and this characteristic is a key factor in the success that she has achieved in the community work she has undertaken. Maureen also possesses outstanding skills in parenting, counselling and education. Maureen is working towards obtaining a degree in Social Work and establishing a career in the Community Services field.

John Warrell
Administration Services Achievement Award
and Russell Kath, Centrelink Call Centre

John successfully completed Certificate III in Business (Office Administration) at Grafton Campus. Not only did he complete all required modules, but went on to complete enhancement modules where he excelled. John received A grade passes with outstanding results for the modules that required a grade. From his first day of attendance John showed a keen interest in becoming involved in as many activities as possible. He would always be the student who would volunteer when assistance was required - from small tasks like assisting when a teacher forgot their much-needed resources to the mammoth task of recreating the database that was required for the Jacaranda Stall Holders.

John also participated in the TAFE WorldSkills Challenges, gaining second place out of over thirty five competitors on two occasions when competing with students from across NSW.

Scott Gray
Construction and Transport Achievement Award
and Maurie Biela, Acelowe Roofing

Scott successfully completed his TAFE course as part of his Trade Apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery through the Coffs Harbour Campus. Scott was also actively involved in the Student Association. Scott was a very keen student in all types of class participation, including practical teamwork in workshops and discussion groups. Scott previously worked with children who have a disability. Scott also participated in assisting the management of supervising visual impaired children at City Wise for the Guide Dog Association. Scott intends to continue his studies and has a goal of eventually managing his own company.

Dan Reid
Arts and Media Student Achievement Award
and Heather Williams, Northern Rivers Echo

Dan was in the first cohort of students to undertake the Diploma of Furniture of Design in NSW and on successful completion of the diploma through the Coffs Harbour Education Campus (CHEC), continued on to be one of the first students anywhere in Australia to complete the Advanced Diploma in Furniture Design. Dan tackled all aspects of the course with equal vigor. He is exceptionally talented in computer-based imaging and 3D Design, and in addition he has become equally competent in making prototypes and full size production pieces.

Dan hopes to be a founding member of the new design centre in Coffs Harbour that produces new contemporary furniture designs for manufacture in Australia.

Terrence (Terry) Witchard
General Education Achievement Award
and Professor San Murugesan
Southern Cross University

Terry has successfully completed Certificate III in Tertiary Preparation (TPC) through the Kempsey Campus to an outstanding level. Terry consistently scored high marks in his great love - Maths. Despite his penchant for maths, Terry's achievements were consistently high across the humanities as well. Whilst working to achieve distinctions in Asia Pacific Studies and Language and Learning Skills, Terry exhibited a wonderful gift for sharing his insights. Terry was able to achieve excellence without creating competitiveness, his peers often commented on how much they valued him and how he was able to make them feel valued as well. Terry was a co-organiser of the end-of-season function and assessment seminar for TPC and Aboriginal Studies Groups. Terry was also a member of the Student Association and provided assistance and guidance to fellow students when possible. Terry is actively involved in community cricket associations and is the Secretary of Willawarren Bushfire Brigade. Terry is also an active community member and a Justice of the Peace.

Terry became an effective member of the ANZ Bank's career management working group for NSW Country Zone. This achievement signified Terry's success in his own career and in providing opportunities to help other staff develop their own careers.

Terry will undertake a Bachelor of Science - Applied Mathematics at the University of Southern Queensland. At the conclusion of these studies Terry would like to teach in the TAFE sector.

Cheryl Johnson
Information Technology Achievement Award
and Jim Atkins, Telstra Country Wide

Cheryl successfully completed Certificate IV Interactive Multimedia through the Port Macquarie Campus. Cheryl has demonstrated exceptionally high standards in all areas, including cross-over subjects with Graphic Design, and achieved excellent results in every subject. Cheryl represented the North Coast Institute in a professional manner when undertaking a commercial project for Port Macquarie Primary School. Cheryl did a excellent job acting as team leader several times in group projects throughout the year.

Cheryl has also demonstrated an ability to work with other students, teachers and clients. Cheryl has always been actively involved in community activities. Having two young children, Cheryl has involved herself in all aspects of their learning environment. Cheryl recently completed a promotional CD-ROM for Port Macquarie Primary School where she was given the role of project leader. Cheryl has also been involved in many community social clubs.

Cheryl's long-term career aspirations are to 'make a difference' and change the minds and attitudes held by so many people within the media industry. Cheryl would like to establish a multimedia company to further develop her creativity and skills.

Colin Parker
Manufacturing and Engineering Achievement Award
and Rob de Waard, BOC

Colin successfully completed his course in Certificate III in Fabrication Engineering through the Lismore Campus. Colin continually excelled during his course - both in the quality of his work and the results achieved. Colin also participated in regional WorldSkills competitions. Colin is currently enrolled in Certificate III in Welding at Lismore Campus. Colin would like to obtain his Pressure Welding Certificate and hopes to one day run his own metal fabrication and welding business.

Conway Edwards
Primary Industries and Natural Resources Achievement Award
Tony McGowan, accepting the behalf of Conway Edwards
and Jim Atkins, Telstra Country Wide

Conway successfully completed Certificate III in Agriculture through the Coffs Harbour Education Campus (CHEC).

Conway also provided peer leadership by facilitating the on-campus involvement of fellow indigenous students from Ngurrala Corporation to the extent that these students are now confident in accessing campus life and resources and interact well with staff and other students in equitable exchanges.

Conway is involved in many community activities, including supervising 15 Indigenous workers on Bandicoot Island in weed control and regeneration for Nambucca Local Aboriginal Land Council, coordinating the team of indigenous workers undertaking river bank restoration at Taylors Arm and coordinating the fencing and environmental control at South Beach, Nambucca Heads in conjunction with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Conway is also involved in many other community agriculture projects.

Conway would like to form his own business venture in the field of land management. He would like to encourage and influence Indigenous youth into undertaking education and training that is linked directly with employment opportunities.

Robyn Howell
Tourism and Hospitality Achievement Award
and Geoff Baldry presenting the award on behalf of
Cassegrain Wines

Robyn completed Certificate IV in Food Studies (Community Food Supervision/Promotion) through the Grafton Campus and achieved distinction grade. Robyn has received: the 2002 Home Economics Institute of Australia Inc (NSW) State Wide Award for the highest average mark on completion of her course; a special award from Troy Club and Restaurant Supplies for consistency in Tourism and Hospitality during 2001; an Award of Excellence in Food Studies at the 2002 Grafton Graduation and the 2GF Gold Award for Diligent Application and Achievement in any course at the Grafton Campus.

Robyn was actively involved in a range of classroom activities and a very productive team member. She was also involved in the TAFE Terrace Restaurant and promoted Easy Cook Ovens from the Chandlers Appliance Store. Robyn is an active member of her local church and is involved in community activities.

Robyn is presently updating her skills by undertaking a computing course and is investigating entry into a Food and Nutrition Diploma/Degree course at the University of Western Sydney.