North Coast Institute students recognised in TAFE Week

7th August 2003

Outstanding students from the North Coast Institute of TAFE have been recognised in a gala Student Achievement Awards ceremony, to mark the end of TAFE Week 2003. Thirteen students selected from the 39,000 students enrolled in the 17 campuses of the North Coast Institute were acknowledged for their academic results, community and campus participation and their commitment to reaching career goals.

The prestigious Student of the Year Award went to Taree based Business Services student, Peter Ramsey. As a single parent of two children, Peter completed a Diploma of Accounting with Distinction and still found time to help his fellow students with study groups and tutorials. Peter is an active member of the Old Bar community and one day hopes to be a partner in the accounting firm where he how works, Beaver, Novello & Moss.

Other major awards included the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, presented to Casino’s Denise Quinn, Apprentice/ Trainee of the Year to Danielle Fuhrmann from Lennox Head and TVET Student of the Year to Megan Clarke.

Since completing a Certificate II in Aged Care Denise has been able to fulfil her goal of working in a nursing home and providing the local aboriginal community with a familiar trusted face in the health system. Danielle has also achieved personal and career success in the hairdressing field and is now a young ambassador for the Professional Hairdressing Association. Megan, also a hairdresser completed her studies as part of Year 12 and spent two hours commuting from Kyogle to the Wollongbar campus to attend classes.

According to Institute Director, Neil Black these students are fantastic roles models for people who are undertaking studies and in the general community.

“All of the students recognised with Achievement Awards have shown that, commitment to achieving academic results and a clear idea of personal goals both in the community and the workplace, are valuable characteristics. They are an inspiration, not only to their fellow students but also to the teachers and staff of the Institute who work so hard to deliver quality education opportunities. I have no doubt that the students recognised in 2003 will go on to be future leaders in our community,” said Mr Black.

All winners received a cash prize, certificate and gift pack of North Coast Institute memorabilia. As Student of the Year, Peter Ramsey also received a Compaq iPAQ handheld computer donated by Hewlett Packard. The Institute would like to thank the generous support of sponsors, including The Coffs Ex Services Club, Telstra Country Wide, Australian Business Ltd, Southern Cross University, BOC, Northern Rivers Echo, Cenrelink Call Centre, Newcastle University, Hunter Valley Training Company, and ATSIC.

Student Achievement Awardswere also presented to outstanding students from each of the Institute’s 10 Faculties. Faculty Award winners were;

Administration Services: Martina Donnell, Tweed Heads
Tourism and Hospitality: Vivi Riches, Grafton
Arts and Media: Noella Thomson, Wollongbar
Construction and Transport: Derek Sharwood, Great Lakes
Business Services: Peter Ramsey, Taree
Manufacturing and Engineering: Murray Reekes, Lismore
Community Services and Health: Ayla Garlick, Murwillumbah
Primary Industries & Natural Resources: Daniel Edmunds, Wollongbar
General Education: Colleen Hickling, Casino
Information Technology: Stuart McRae, Kingscliff