GippsTAFE GraduationSouth Gippsland’s most outstanding TAFE students were recognised with a series of special awards at the recent GippsTAFE Graduation Ceremony held in Leongatha. By GippsTAFE - 27th March 2003 - Back to News  South Gippsland’s most outstanding TAFE students were recognised with a series of special awards at the recent GippsTAFE Graduation Ceremony held in Leongatha.
As well as graduation certificates the top students were presented with outstanding student awards.
Robert Wyckelsma was presented with the 2002 Outstanding Graduate (Leongatha Campus) Award.
Robert was widowed six years ago and was left to raise two of his children.
Originally a qualified fitter and turner, he decided that he wanted a change of direction in his life.
He had been helping a friend (as a volunteer) in the disability field for a year and enjoyed the work so much that he chose to train at GippsTAFE, studying a Certificate IV in Disability.
Because of his career change Robert now works with three clients in a one-on-one capacity, doing respite work for Gippsland Southern Health Service and also is a co-worker running a "Saturday Specials" respite group once a fortnight, all at the Leongatha Hospital.
Besides all this, Robert is now a teacher’s aide for two days a week at GippsTAFE’s Leongatha Campus.
Elizabeth Lambert from Business Studies was also presented with an Outstanding Student Awards, along with Mavis Walker from Health and Community Studies.
Also graduating on the night were a number of VET (Vocational Education and Training) in School students, coming from secondary schools in Leongatha, Foster and Phillip Island.
The 2002 Graduation Ceremony was held at the Leongatha Memorial Hall, with the theme of "Celebrating Success".
The ceremony was held for students who have completed Certificate II Hospitality, Certificate III Community Services (Aged Care), Certificate IV Community Services (Disability), Certificate IV Assessment and Workplace Training, Certificate II Information Technology, Certificate II and III in Business (Office Administration) and Diploma of Business (Accounting) in 2002.
Pictured(L-R): Robert Wyckelsma, Mavis Walker, John Cargill (GippsTAFE Leongatha Campus Manager), Elizabeth Lambert, Jeff Gunningham (CEO of GippsTAFE) and Joanne Stringer (Deputy President of Institute Council)
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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