2003 North Coast Institute
Student Achievement Awards

Major Awards

Student of the Year – Peter Ramsey

As a single parent of two children Peter was able to complete his Diploma of Accounting, at Taree Campus, with Distinction and still found time to help fellow students with study groups and tutorials. Teachers commended Peter on his classroom participation and willingness to help fellow students outside of class hours. His community involvement includes executive roles with the Old Bar Community Preschool and Old Bar Little Athletics.

Peter has already commenced studying for his Advanced Diploma of Accounting whilst working as a trainee accountant for Beaver, Novello & Moss in Taree. He aims to become a partner in the company and his employer has indicated this is a very realistic goal.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year – Denise Quinn

Denise completed a Certificate II in Aged Care (Assistant in Nursing) at the Woolongbar Campus and showed an understanding of the role and functions of the position and also the importance of Aboriginal Health workers being involved in the mainstream system. Teachers praise her for being a willing team participant in classroom and student activities. Her personal development has seen her overcome initial shyness to be actively involved in classroom discussions.

While studying Denise has worked as a personal carer at Bundjulung Home Care Services which involved delivering care before attending classes. She is also actively involved in the Aboriginal community and has attended Aboriginal Health workshops. Denise aims to get a position in Aged Care nursing and wants to offer her people a familiar trusted face in the health system and the broader Casino Indigenous Community.

TVET Student of the Year – Megan Clarke

Megan spent two hours travelling back and forth from Kyogle to Wollongbar Campus while completing her Certificate II in hairdressing as part of her year 12 studies. Her passion for learning is evident in her enthusiasm and high grades. She organised a function to help classmates celebrate the end of their two years studying.

In 2002 she was elected President of the Kyogle Rural Youth Association and helped organise a zone presentation night. Miss Kyogle Showgirl in 2001, a finalist in the Australian Wool Fashion awards Megan also volunteers time to the Helicopter Door Knock Appeal and Clean Up Australia Day.

Megan is currently working in a Lismore hair salon and hopes to one day own her own hair styling salon after finishing her apprenticeship and gaining valuable industry experience.

Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Danielle Fuhrmann

Danielle completed a Certificate III in hairdressing after starting as a Get Skilled student. She has been a role model and leader for fellow students getting involved as a competitor and assistant for WorldSkills regional competitions, and assisting with hair preparation for TAFE Theatre productions.

She is an ambassador for the local PHA Hairdressing Associations by encouraging young people to join, and promotes the benefits of hairdressing competitions to other apprentices. Danielle, currently working in a Byron Bay hair salon aims to be the best in her field and would love to work overseas in fashion magazine or film hairdressing.

Faculty Award Winners

Administration Services – Martina Donnell

Martina successfully completed the Certificate II Telecommunications (Call Centres) at the Kingscliff Campus where both her work ethic and attendance were praised by teachers. Martina has been a member of the Kingscliff student association and involved in NAIDOC celebrations. She is an active member of the local Aboriginal and Islander community and until recently was the chairperson of the Palm Beach, Currumbin High School ASSPA Committee.

As a mature age student she has shown a great commitment to her TAFE studies and as part of her aim of making herself as employable as possible she is now enhancing her skills through the Office Administration course.

Arts and Media – Noella Tomson

Noella completed the Diploma in Textile Clothing and Footwear at the top of her class with a Distinction average and achieving a score of 97% in the Integrated Project Module. She has been involved in team activities through the design of a TCF website for the Wollongbar campus along with a joint project to design costumes for a primary school students musical.

Noella contributed research and design expertise for a community project titled “The endangered species project” and has since assisted with other environmental community projects.

In 2003 Noella’s love of design and business enthusiasm has led to the development of her own range of chef’s wear under the label “Hot Plate”. She has also been employed as a patternmaker and sample machinist for local fashion label “Lazy Bones”.

Business Services Peter Ramsey

Peter has achieved very high grades throughout his Accounting Diploma studies averaging at distinction level. Teachers from Taree Campus Business Services have commended Peter on his classroom participation and willingness to help fellow students including tutoring and establishing study groups outside of class hours.

Peter has already commenced studying for his Advanced Diploma of Accounting whilst working as a trainee accountant for Beaver, Novello & Moss in Taree. He aims to become a partner in the company and his employer has indicated this is a very realistic goal.

Community Services and Health – Ayla Garlick

Ayla completed her studies in the Certificate IV in Community Services and Health (Welfare) achieving a distinction in every graded module and a grade point average of 91%. Her class work to develop a stress management survey so impressed the senior staff at Goldbridge Rehabilitation Centre that she was invited to conduct the survey at the centre and present the findings.

For six years Ayla has been President of the North Coast Women’s Festival Committee, coordinating a major event each year and achieving funding support from Festivals Australia and the Department of Women.

She hopes to continue her studies and achieve a Bachelor of Social Science and establish a career in counselling and social welfare.

The Award was presented by Dr Jenny Hutchison, representing the University of Newcastle.

Construction and Transport – Derek Sharwood

Derek’s teacher at Great Lakes Campus believes he has shown maturity and commitment to his studies throughout the Carpentry and Joinery Course in General Construction, Housing. He has achieved high grades along with doing extra work such as assisting with the relocation of workshops from Taree to Great Lakes and industry demonstration events.

He worked with his employer to build a medical respite centre for members of the aboriginal land council and has been an active member of the Taree Soccer Club. Now working in construction in Newcastle Derek’s goal is to complete his Clerk of Works and work in England on restoration projects of castles and cottages.

Information Technology – Stuart McRae

Studying at the Kingscliff Campus, Stuart has successfully completed Certificate IV in Information Technology achieving distinctions in every subject. He showed a willingness to assist classmates and teachers with his depth of knowledge. He has volunteered his time to assist in computer labs software set-up and the production of a website for Coorabell Public School. Stuart is also an active member of Surf Life Saving Australia and has for the last six months been volunteering his time as an administrator of the computer system at a local public school.

With a wife and five children leaving full time employment to return to study was a big decision but Stuart has achieved far beyond his expectations and is confident continued study will help him pursue a career in education in the IT field.

General Education – Colleen Hickling

Colleen left school before completing year nine but returned to study as a mature age student and mother of three, completing a Career Education for Women Course and the Certificate in General Education. With an Aboriginal husband and interest in the Aboriginal community she then enrolled in the Certificate III in Aboriginal Studies and was the only student to successfully complete the full course at Casino Campus. She has been actively involved in campus functions and through her social welfare work has supported a client with Bipolar depression to join Work Opportunities for Women. She also does volunteer respite care work and is involved in the Casino High School committee.

Her studies have given her confidence to realise her abilities and strength which has allowed her to find employment with Casino Primary Health. Colleen believes she has found her calling working with people who have mental or physical disabilities and hopes to continue her career development and studies in this area.

Manufacturing and Engineering – Murray Reakes

Murray has completed the Certificate III in Fabrication Engineering and has been a role model for other students in both results and participation in group projects. For eight years Murray has been a volunteer with Society of St Vincent de Paul Kids camps and has attended over 20 camps assisting underprivileged children.

On completion of his apprenticeship Murray hopes to study additional engineering and welding courses. His ultimate aim would be to work as a chief engineer on a major Australian project, equivalent to the engineering feat that was the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Primary Industries and Natural Resources – Daniel Edmunds

Dan has achieved 18 Distinctions in his Certificate III Horticulture Turf Management and was nominated for the NSW GCSA Apprentice Green Keeper of the Year Award. He has supported classmates with study sheets and assignment presentation and is now using those skills to assist an apprentice colleague at Grafton City Bowling Club. Dan has been an active member of the Grafton community and assisted with the Police Charity Day raising money for Westpac Rescue Helicopter for many years.

Having travelled from Grafton to Wollongbar Campus for the duration of the three year course Dan has shown great commitment to his studies. He is currently undertaking Get Skilled courses and ultimately wants to continue his studies in the Environmental Science field.

Tourism and Hospitality – Vivi Riches

Vivi achieved distinction level in many subjects and completed the Food Studies Certificate IV course in a six month period (not the usual 12 months). She was heavily involved in the food preparation for TAFE Markets in Grafton as part of the Jacaranda Festival along with other functions. Vivi is a volunteer with Grafton Primary and Coutts Crossing Preschool as well as founding a gardening club for the elderly.

As well as juggling family commitments she aims to do a degree in Food Technology and Nutrition.

Cassegrain Wines sponsored the Celebration Supper at the conclusion of the Awards presentation