SUNITAFE Swan Hill campus celebrated their trade students’ successes throughout the year at their inaugural Trades Night last week.
The awards recognised students who excelled in their studies in each trade and year group, along with the David Beames Memorial Encouragement Award and the Garry Thompson Memorial Achievement Award.
The memorial awards are named after locals who were crucial in the establishment of Heavy Automotive studies at the Swan Hill campus many years ago and recognise students who embody qualities of dedication, collaboration and hard work.
SuniTAFE chief executive Brett Millington said Trade Awards are an opportunity to recognise the work of the students and the network that makes their success possible.
“Trades Night is a unique opportunity for us to celebrate with students, their employers, teachers, and families,” he said.
“This student journey takes a village, and the fact that we can bring everyone together at our Swan Hill campus is very special.
“We recognise the importance of employers in supporting their students and our partnership continues to grow.
“It was fantastic to acknowledge the effort and continued hard work of the students being awarded among all trades last night, whether they are in first year or third year.”
Mr Millington said the awards night was also a chance to encourage students to enter in the WorldSkills competitions.
“We had two national gold medallists in Heavy Automotive, one from the Swan Hill campus last year, and the Mildura competitor went on to compete in Lyon in France,” he said.
“These competitions are a great opportunity for young people to be able to demonstrate how they’ve progressed with their knowledge and skills, and to potentially qualify to represent Victoria.
“Swan Hill campus is nationally renowned for Heavy Automotive and generates high quality students, and the opportunity that it presents spreads across all our trades and vocational education more broadly.”
Award winners
Outstanding 1st Year Heavy Automotive, sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Henry Kinsman
Outstanding 2nd Year Heavy Automotive, sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Brad McKinnon
Outstanding 3rd Year Heavy Automotive, sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Elijah Cambridge
Outstanding 1st Year Automotive Electrical Technology, sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Thomas Cotton
Outstanding 3rd Year Automotive Electrical Technology, sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Shane Jochinke
Outstanding 1st Year Plastering, sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Soul Stevenson
Outstanding 3rd Year Plastering, sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Chris Fletcher
Outstanding 1st Year Carpentry, sponsored by GMG Finance Group
Aaron Bognar
Outstanding 2nd Year Carpentry, sponsored by GMG Finance Group
Jacob O’Meara
Outstanding 3rd Year Carpentry, sponsored by GMG Finance Group
Liam White
Outstanding 1st Year Electrical, sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria
Flynn Thompson
Outstanding 2nd Year Electrical, sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria
Charlie Kingwill
Outstanding 3rd Year Electrical, sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria
Connor Rogers
Outstanding 2nd Year Plumbing, sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria
Will Domaille
Outstanding 3rd Year Plumbing, sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria
Dante Miliano
David Beames Memorial Encouragement Award
Aaron Wilson
Garry Thompson Memorial Achievement Award
Grady Finnegan
