Currently studying Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management
Successfully completed Certificate III in Business (Echuca campus)
which resulted in being nominated for Bendigo TAFE Vocational Student of the Year 2009

The past 15 years have been devoted to family and business, now I am doing something for myself. I decided I needed to study to broaden my career path and this has certainly happened. I also wanted to keep up with my two computer literate children.

I chose this training path to back up practical experience in business with up-to-date skills and to support my business interests and community involvement. The main focus was to bring my computer application use up to a much higher standard. When I started I thought I would need two years to complete the course, but my confidence and skills grew and I gained the certificate in one year. 

This course has opened my eyes to the value of VET training and the possibilities for young people or people re-training. My positive experience at Bendigo TAFE has shown me another aspect of education and I promote this training wherever I have the opportunity. You are treated as an individual and can achieve at your own pace; nobody puts you down; all skills are acknowledged however big or small we may think they are. I have gained a drive for further studies and plan to study further in the area of finance and also extend general business skills.

I would like to pursue my interest in the education of young people and reinforce how valuable training is (whatever the area). My particular area of interest focuses around Moama Anglican Grammar School, the Campaspe Cohuna Local Learning Network along with contributing to the wider Echuca community, predominantly in relation to access to education/training. Due to my studies, I was successful in re-registering for Victorian Institute of Teaching.

I decided to continue studying in 2010 and enrolled in a BRIT flexi-mode course – Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management. I was successful in gaining a scholarship from DHS to continue this study in 2011.

Because of my recent studies and the skills I gained, I felt confident enough to apply for some jobs in the community sector and was successful in gaining employment at Community Living and Respite Service Inc. Echuca. This growing community organisation also supported my studies and I am now in a middle line manager role and gaining so much satisfaction from my new career path.

"My positive experience at Bendigo TAFE has shown me another aspect of education and I promote this training wherever I have the opportunity."