General News
12 March, 2025
Locals recognised in Federation TAFE awards
Individuals from the Wimmera have been recognised in this year's Federation TAFE Awards for Excellence.
The event was held In Ballarat on February 27 and in total 42 award winners were announced.
Among locals recognised was Federation TAFE Diploma of Nursing teacher Gabrielle McCulloch, who was awarded VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year.
Mrs McCulloch received the award for her focus on bridging the gap between application practice and theory and ensuring students were well prepared for the nursing sector.
The Horsham local said she felt "honoured and humbled" to receive the accolade.
"I've been teaching for 10 years now with Federation TAFE and I just love what I do," Mrs McCulloch said.
Mrs McCulloch said she always had aspirations to teach after completing a Bachelor of Nursing.
"I feel like teaching is what I was destined to do," she said.
"I understand learners, people, and I can tell when they are bored so I like to entertain and teach."
Cathrin Logan from Stawell was named as Trainee of the Year after studying a Diploma of Nursing.
Ms Logan said she was grateful and honoured to be awarded Trainee of the Year.
"This recognition means so much to me as it reflects the hard work, dedication and effort I have put into my training," she said.
"However, this achievement is not solely mine – it is a testament to the incredible guidance and support I have received from my teachers at Federation TAFE, my clinical support educator, colleagues and managers at Grampians Health."
Ann Brasser from Ararat won the Hip Pocket Workwear and Safety Award after studying a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, while Ben House won the Middy's Electrical Western Country Award after studying the Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start).
From Dimboola, Jackson Keiler won the Samios Plumbing Supplies award, having studied the Certificate III in Plumbing.
