Community Colleges Australia (CCA) has announced the winners of this year’s Community Education Student of the Year Award.
The winner of the 2019 Award is Carmel Kentwell (pictured left, and below), a student from Atwea College (formerly WEA Hunter), Newcastle. Carmel grew up in the NSW country town of Warren – northwest of Dubbo, and completed the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) at Atwea College’s Cessnock campus. She is following up with study for the Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability).
Two nominees received “High Commendations”: Kylie Mahon, who studied Certificate III Community Services at Community College Northern Inland; and Aejay Russell, who studied Certificate III Barbering at Kiama Community College.
“The student nominees this year were absolutely outstanding; the judging panel unanimously commented on how difficult it was to make the choices. All eight finalists have shown absolutely exceptional abilities, and CCA congratulates them all,” said Dr Don Perlgut, CEO of Community Colleges Australia.
In addition to the winner and the two high commendations, the five other finalists – and their nominating institutions – were:
- Rosie de Grosbois, Byron Community College, who studied Certificate III Individual Support (Ageing)
- Natasha Ducker, Riverina Community College, who studied Certificate III Business Administration
- Brittany Muller, TLK Community College, who studied Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
- Brad Wilson, Western Riverina Community College, who studied Certificate 1 Access to Vocational Pathways
- Bradie Woodman, Youth Development Foundation, who studied in a “Ready to Work” program
Read the biographies of all eight nominees here.
The students were evaluated on three sets of criteria - career and study achievements; communication, team and leadership skills; and other activities, including community service (details here PDF).
The judging panel for this year’s Awards was:
- Gordon Amann, former CEO of Coffs Coast Community College
- Vanessa Iles, Manager, The Reading Writing Hotline
- Evelyn Goodwin, Policy & Projects Manager, Community Colleges Australia
- Dr Don Perlgut, CEO, Community Colleges Australia (panel chair)
Read more about CCA’s conference here.
