Sally Gorton - 2007 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Sally Gorton attended Northern Beaches College and completed a Certificate IV in Community Services and Health. Sally was an active participant in all her classes and always willing to engage with the groups she work with, sharing her thoughts and experiences. Teachers praised Sally's positive attitude towards learning and her ability to infect others with her enthusiasm. On her work placement she showed great initiative and was sensitive to the needs of clients and staff. Sally demonstrated empathy and a commitment to social justice principles.
Photograph of Ms Gorton not available.
Amanda McElroy - 2007 Access and General Education Student of the Year
Amanda McElroy completed a Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation at Meadowbank College. Amanda's attitude to learning and to the course was exemplary, and she showed considerable leadership qualities, acting as a mentor to other students.
Amanda completed her course, with outstanding academic results placing her second in New South Wales. She is a long way to achieving her goal to become a Primary school teacher, having been accepted into the University of Technology, Sydney as a Bachelor of Education undergraduate.
Amanda's ultimate ambitions are to become a Primary School Principal, or to combine her passion for teaching and social work be becoming a counsellor or transition teacher for emotionally distributed children.
Sean Murphy - 2007 Business and Commerce Student of the Year
Employed in the IT industry, Sean Murphy graduated with distinction from a Diploma in Business Management at Hornsby College. Having been promoted to managerial level, Sean undertook the course to upgrade his skills and gain further knowledge. His teachers recognised Sean as someone who seeks to achieve excellence in the goals he sets for himself. Despite the additional challenges associated with being visually impaired Sean has consistently achieved excellent results. Always seeking to expand his knowledge and skills, Sean is currently studying to become a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and plans to undertake a Masters in Networking in 2009.
Suzanne Nicholl - 2007 Community Services and Health Student of the Year
Suzanne Nicholl completed a Diploma in Children's Services at Meadowbank College with a distinction in 2006. After spending twenty years working in a variety of children's services, Suzanne developed a passion for nurturing, caring and teaching young children.
Having graduated from the course, Suzanne has moved onto become an Authorised Supervisor at a preschool with a high ratio of children with additional needs. Suzanne's teachers praised her commitment to and passion for working with young children, her outstanding academic results and positive attitude. Encouraged by her TAFE NSW teachers, Suzanne hopes to go on to study for a Bachelor of Education to further her knowledge of the Early Childhood area.
Rebecca Bennett - 2007 Information Communications Technology, Media and Arts Student of the Year
Rebecca Bennett completed a Diploma of Screen at North Sydney College. Before commencing her studies at TAFE NSW, Rebecca had gained experience in the industry assisting a director/choreographer in London's West End.
During her course, Rebecca initially thought she may want to edit but soon realised her passion lay in directing and producing. Throughout her course, Rebecca was a devoted student and inspirational motivator, keeping her peers focused so that production outcomes could be achieved. The course has led Rebecca to current employment within the film industry as a Production Assistant. Rebecca hopes to one day move into directing and works on personal projects to build a show reel in her spare time.
Kerryn Pook - 2007 Industry and Environment Student of the Year
Kerryn Pook completed a Diploma in Horticulture (Landscape) at Ryde College. Having previously worked in the Insurance and Fund Management industries, Kerryn decided to utilise her passion for gardening in a career change that would allow her to pursue a career whilst raising a family.
Kerryn was recognised by teachers for her involvement in community and industry projects, her leadership and her consistently high course results. She was the Student Representative Member for the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers, and was highly commenced for her contribution to the Executive.
Kerryn is currently setting up landscaping business.
Atsuko Asano - 2007 International Student of the Year
Atsuko Asano completed a Certificate IV in Hospitality Supervision at Ryde College. When Atsuko arrived form Japan in February 2005, she spoke very little English but this not stop her from diligently involving herself in her studies and becoming a very willing and active member of the college community. Her results in many aspects of this course were outstanding, receiving distinctions in over 70 per cent of the graded subjects.
Atsuko has gone onto to further studies in the Diploma of Hospitality Management and continues to excel into this course. She looks forward to gaining employment in a fine dining establishment.
Shuen Shwen (Allie) Chong - 2007 TVET Student of the Year
Allie completed the Certificate II in Hospitality Operations in 2006 as a TVET student. TVET stands for TAFE-delivered Vocational Education and Training and enables school students to participate in training at TAFE, while still at school.
Allie’s attitude to her study program was one of total commitment – studying 2 Unit Hospitality and 2 Unit Hospitality extension.
In May 2006, Allie won a WorldSkills Bronze Medal in the TVET National Cookery competition. This year, she has returned to Ryde College to study the Certificate III in Hospitality Commercial Cookery moving towards studying the Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management in 2008. With her long-term plans set firmly on a career in the Hospitality industry, her natural talent indicates a bright future.
Michael McGowan - 2007 Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management Student of the Year
Michael McGowan completed an Advanced Diploma of Event Management, graduating with distinction from Northern Beaches College.
Whilst spending many years following a career in Accounting, Michael has always had a strong interest in organising community events outside of work. In 2005, he decided to train in this area so that he could incorporate this skill into his work.
His teachers describe Michael as an outstanding student and a tremendous role model to his classmates. Since graduating from the Event Management course, Michael has been increasingly involved in organising successful events (at work and in his own time), and he hopes to dedicate himself to this area full-time.
Robert Pfeiffer - Business and Commerce Achievement Award
This year the Excellence Awards Selection Panel felt it necessary to present an Achievement Award to acknowledge the efforts of Robert Pfeiffer. Robert returned to study his HSC after a period of full-time employment. Applying this experience to aspects of his course, Robert’s mature and focused approach positioned him as a role model to other students. He achieved an extremely high standard of research and project work, Robert also participated in WorldSkills competitions during his time at TAFE NSW . Utilising the qualification he gained at Bradfield Senior College, Robert is now studying Economics at Sydney University.
