2019 WA International VET Student of the Year

2019 WINNER: Flavia Azevedo – Certificate IV Residential Building Drafting, North Metropolitan TAFE WA

Flavia sets a benchmark in the class for other students to aim for in terms of assessment quality and results. Flavia’s personality and success driven nature will serve her well into the future.  Flavia has demonstrated leadership in developing her skills as a mentor to help others. She assists other students, specifically helping them with complex CAD programs.

Flavia contributes towards TAFE students outside of the classroom by advising and helping with their studies. Flavia also contributes to the international community by sharing her tips and wisdom on how to integrate into the Australian culture and life.

Flavia is extremely creative in her TAFE work and assessments, she will not submit an assessment unless she personally is happy with the result. Moreover, Flavia brings her past knowledge and skills in architecture to her current projects; she is very innovative in design and has a wide range of skills in architecture programs which serves to enhance her current work and tasks. Every assessment within the course that Flavia has submitted have been of academic excellence.

2019 WINNER: Martin Gillies – Certificate III Community Services, South Metropolitan TAFE WA

Living in Bunbury, Martin is currently completing a Certificate III in Community Services at South Metropolitan TAFE. Martin has achieved academic success and passed every assessment on the first attempt and has received positive feedback from teachers on his depth of knowledge and understanding.

Martin has been able to assist other students in their learning by drawing on his practical experience to explain scenarios and relevant procedures. Martin is a support worker for St Jude’s Disability, providing home care and help to a client with autism and assists in facilitating social interactions and empowering them to achieve their goals. In the position of lead facilitator with Cahoots, an organisation providing opportunities for children and young people living with disability, Martin is involved in the roll out of “Youth at Risk” camps and “All Abilities 18+” day programs.  Whilst studying, Martin has also volunteered with the Release Support team at AccordWest. Through this program Martin has helped clients who are soon to be released or have recently been released from prison. Martin has acted in a support capacity when they are new to the community, assisting them to access services, advocating on their behalf to attain the help they need. Martin has assisted in delivering “Life Skills” training programs to guide people in finding jobs and staying healthy.

Martin is a regular volunteer and participant at Bunbury Parkrun. As a Parkrun volunteer Martin acts as a guide runner for a visually impaired athlete and is involved in timekeeping, distributing finish tokens and overseeing the overall success of the events. Martin has a great passion for Parkrun and has been involved for over eight years.