Reflecting on GOTAFE’s 2025
Take a look back at the year that was.
From new beginnings to celebrating progress, 2025 has been full of highlights, including:
Kicking off the year with O Week celebrations. Across our campuses, both new and returning students came together to connect, explore and get excited about the journeys ahead.
In March, some 141 students from 42 different courses joined us at Riverlinks Eastbank in Shepparton for their graduation celebration.
Course areas represented included nursing, pathology, cyber security, education and mental health, with qualifications ranging from Certificates to Diplomas.
Student Ambassadors Alanna Birch, Jakk Devlin, Jono Chan and Nursing Teacher Caragh Butler took to the stage at our graduation ceremonies to share their stories and words of encouragement to departing students and their friends and families.
August and September were busy months for GOTAFE’s Events team, with Open Days held across Wangaratta, Shepparton and Seymour campuses.
These events welcomed hundreds of community members and prospective students who were eager to explore training pathways, meet teachers and learn about what happens on campus.
Our students were central to everything during 2025, with lots of incredible stories being shared at events and during days and weeks of significance.
Whether it was IT student Alistair Wall during Careers Week or English Language student Maryam Adam during Refugee Week, each of our students brought a unique story.
In June, nine students represented GOTAFE at the National WorldSkills competition in Brisbane. Benjamin Millen won a Gold Medal in the Automotive Refinishing competition, while students Nicholas Stephens and Jakk Devlin took home Certificates of Excellence in their categories (Panel – Autobody Repair and IT – Cyber Security respectively).
Exciting announcements were also a big part of 2025, with GOTAFE and Wodonga TAFE sharing their intent to merge in 2026.
Together, we will deliver even more opportunities for students and industry, with shared resources and expertise.
In partnership with the Department of Education, GOTAFE shared the plans for the Wangaratta Tech School, which features STEM labs, podcast rooms, simulation suites and flexible collaboration spaces. Construction is underway and set to open in Term 3, 2026.
Student experience was another focus for 2025, with initiatives such as alumni like Ruby Sait speaking to current students and our Vet Nursing students gaining experience through real surgeries on rescue animals at GOTAFE’s Tone Road Animal Care Clinic.
2025 was a big year, and the future for GOTAFE feels brighter than ever heading into 2026. Thank you to our students, staff, volunteers, alumni and community.