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Student Stories

2012 Irish National Stud Scholarship Winner Announced - Equine

In the future Ellen hopes to obtain a leadership position such as a yearling manager.

Aimee Prenter - Sports and Recreation

“GOTAFE ticked all my boxes, it was close to home and offered the flexibility to work and study at the same time.”

Amanda Munro - Art and Design

“I knew some respected artists in the area who had completed study at GOTAFE and they were very complimentary about the Institute, lecturers and the learning outcomes."

Angela Learmonth - Health and Nursing

"Now that I have a Diploma I have what the industry classes as standard qualifications and I know I have more employment prospects."

Bonnie McIntosh - Tourism and Event Management

"I thought I needed to move to the city to attain the career I wanted, but doing the course with GOTAFE opened up so many opportunities - I now have my dream job, locally."

Candice Hilton - Community Services

"My teachers were all still working in community services, which was important because in welfare you need to learn about current practices."

Claire Haigh - Hairdressing and Beauty

“Through GOTAFE I learnt the necessary skills and developed the confidence to not only apply for a job within in the industry but to work in the industry.”

Craig Mathisen - Administration and Management

“The course structure takes into consideration that we are all busy people with hectic work and social schedules, but it is still appropriate for people at management level.”

Damian Butcher - Administration and Management

"I believe anything in your working life is achievable if you further your training and education. It is daunting returning to study, but the hardest part really is getting there the first night."

Gabrielle Kennedy - Horticulture

"I was a bit worried about going back to study after 20 years and I wasn’t very computer literate, but when I started I realised there were other students in the same boat as me."

Jacqueline Atkinson - Building and Constuction

"As a single mum with a disability and a young child it’s not always easy but the support from the Disability Liaison Coordinator at GOTAFE and the carpentry staff has been terrific."

James Georgopoulos - Horticulture

"The practical hands-on nature of the course was a better way to learn for me."

Jayde Sciberras - Hairdressing and Beauty

"VCAL was a great option for me because I knew I did not want to go to University and it meant I can study, work and get trained at the same time."

Jessica Pendlebury - Animal Sciences

Jessica is the first person to undertake the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing as a school based traineeship, combining VCE with work at the Northern Veterinary Group in Kilmore.

Joshua Williams - Automotive

“We have been employing apprentices for over 34 years and send them all to GOTAFE. The staff show great care of our apprentices.” Lorraine Threlfell

Linda Chalmers - Administration and Management

"Being able to study where I lived was a great advantage, and the smaller, more comfortable environment and class sizes made it easier for me to return to study."

Lisa Blake - Animal Sciences

Through hard work, dedication, persistence and the support of qualifications, Lisa has realised her dream of working with animals as her career.

Loretta King - Hairdressing and Beauty

"Doing Certificate III in Beauty Services at GOTAFE has made my pathway to a career in beauty that much easier.

Mat Kavanagh - Conservation and Land Management

"The course was relevant to my work and gave me the skills to deal with contractors and improved my computer and report writing skills."

Michael Saunders - Conservation and Land Management

"The course was like a tonic each week, I was studying with a group of tremendous people, with fantastic teachers with great industry knowledge.”

Peter Burgess - Dairy Farming

“The range of topics covered, the thinking tools used and general approach of the program has been of enormous benefit to me personally and professionally."

Ryan Normington - Sports and Recreation

"The diploma bridged the gap between school and university and I am confident the skills and experience I learnt at GOTAFE gave me a competitive edge and helped me get into the course I wanted."

Shenae Guilfoyle - Health and Nursing

"Through GOTAFE we had a lot of practical experience and opportunities for placement at local hospitals and facilities, which gave me a real insight into actual clinical work."

Stephanie Bell - Art and Design

"The course not only further developed my passion for the graphic design industry, while still studying it also lead to a part time job as a designer with the Prominent Group in Shepparton."

Travis Griffen - Plumbing and Gasfitting

“I saw the pre-apprenticeship course as a great way to get my foot in the door and a great way to show that I was committed to finding a lasting and rewarding career.”

Tyler Robinson - Sports and Recreation

"The course at GOTAFE really helped me with my decision making and has given me a different pathway into university."

Tyler Smith - Viticulture and Winemaking

"This sort of training really suited me; I loved working outdoors and the practical hands on experience I got at the vineyard, and found it easier to motivate myself with the other studies."

Vanessa Carr - Animal Sciences

"I thoroughly enjoyed the industry excursions and meeting new people and discussing our interests of different animal industries."

Veronica Lee - Health and Nursing

"Our campus facilities are great. The staff are so friendly and helpful, and are willing to lend a hand at any time."