SuniTAFE’s Mildura campus had double the celebrations yesterday with two graduation events held across the day.

This is the first year that SuniTAFE has offered two graduation sessions in a single day and is a reflection of the high volume of students finishing their studies in the 2023 academic year.

Graduates, supported by their family, friends, and employers, gathered at Mildura Arts Centre to receive recognition for their earned qualifications.

Across all campuses in 2023, SuniTAFE produced 426 graduates ranging from Certificate I courses through to Advanced Diplomas.

A further 171 apprentices and 40 trainees also completed their studies in 2023.

More than 30 staff, students, and industry received awards or scholarships recognising their immense hard work across the academic year.

For two students, they had more than one reason to celebrate, having received two awards each on the night.

Commercial Cookery student Luan Phuong was named Hospitality Student of the Year and International Student of the Year. Meanwhile, Nursing graduate Sarah Wadsworth received recognition as Health High Achiever and Student of the Year – Academic (Diploma/Advanced Diploma).

Manager – Procurement Rachel Parker was presented with the inaugural Geoff Dea Values and Leadership Award, named after the former CEO for his significant contribution to the Institute during his tenure. This award will be presented every year at this event to acknowledge a staff member’s embodiment of the SuniTAFE Values.

SuniTAFE’s ability to expand what is already the biggest student celebration of the year is something that Chief Executive Officer Brett Millington is very proud of.

“It was very exciting for us to offer two ceremonies due to the sheer numbers of students completing their studies,” Mr Millington said.

“It was great to see Certificate III and Certificate IV graduates cross the stage at their own ceremony, especially given their completion numbers in the past.

“It was wonderful to see them, along with Diploma and Advanced Diploma graduates, celebrate their achievements with family and friends.”

 

Full list of award winners

Student Awards

Apprentice of the Year (First Year) | Sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Luke Fitzgerald – Certificate III in Carpentry

Apprentice of the Year (Second Year) | Sponsored by REPCO Mildura
Grady Mik - Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology

Apprentice of the Year (Third Year) | Sponsored by SMGT
Thomas Bevan - Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology

International Student of the Year | Sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Luan Phuong – Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery

First Nations Student of the Year | Sponsored by Are-Able
Misty-Anne Clark – Diploma of Community Services

Hospitality Student of the Year | Sponsored by The Grand Hotel Mildura
Luan Phuong – Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery

Health High Achiever | Sponsored by Sunraysia Community Health Services
Sarah Wadsworth – Diploma of Nursing

VETDSS Student of the Year | Sponsored by Northern Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network (NMLLEN)
Frankee-Mae Keenan – Certificate III in Community Services

Trainee of the Year | Sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Jessica Challis – Certificate III in Business (Traineeship)

Student of the Year – Certificate III or IV (non-trade) | Sponsored by Mildura Rural City Council
Charlotte Bergens – Certificate IV in Visual Arts

Student of the Year – Academic (Diploma/Advanced Diploma) | Sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Sarah Wadsworth – Diploma of Nursing

Board Excellence Award | Sponsored by SuniTAFE Board
Ashley Nichols-Gathercole – Diploma of Nursing

Scholarships

The Sunraysia Institute of TAFE and Chances for Children Scholarship
Emily Hocking – Diploma of Graphic Design
Isabella McIntyre – Diploma of Graphic Design

La Trobe University Scholarship
Jiwon Han – Advanced Diploma of Accounting
Amy-Jean Dawn Kardoulias – Diploma of Community Services
Joleen O’Connor – Diploma of Community Services
Ella Roccisano – Diploma of Nursing
Nikita Tuifao – Diploma of Nursing

Destination Australia
Irene Alvanos – Diploma of Community Services
Katrina Carter – Diploma of Community Services
Misty-Anne Clark – Diploma of Community Services
Simon Daymond – Diploma of Community Services
Samantha Evans – Diploma of Community Services
Mandy Tuthill – Diploma of Community Services

Alisha Davis – Certificate IV in Community Services

Pauline Glorioso – Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery
Hannah Njogu – Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery
Alveana Pintor – Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery
Huan Zhou – Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery

Khadija Ibrahimi – Diploma of Nursing
Rebecca Taifai – Diploma of Nursing
Olivia Vea – Diploma of Nursing
Rodney Yeomans – Diploma of Nursing

Staff and Industry Awards

Employer of the Year 
Mildura Motor Holdings

Teacher of the Year
Will Sharpe – Heavy Automotive and Automotive Electrical Technology

Geoff Dea Values and Leadership Award
Rachel Parker – Manager – Procurement