Bendigo TAFE has been recognised for outstanding First Nations training and employment initiatives at the 2024 Wurreker Awards, with the TAFE celebrated in two categories:
· Teacher/Trainer Award: Bendigo TAFE educator Caroline Tarran (Winner)
· Government Employer Award: Bendigo TAFE (Finalist)
Presented by the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc (VAEAI), the annual Wurreker Awards celebrates the people and organisations that passionately contribute to Koorie training, education and employment.
The Teacher/Trainer Award acknowledged outstanding achievement in the delivery of training to Victorian Koorie students, with award winner Caroline Tarran currently teaching community services at Bendigo TAFE.
Caroline’s achievements include delivering a customised training program to Mallee District Aboriginal Services employees who deliver vital family services to the First Nations community.
“I feel so lucky and privileged to be recognised by VAEAI and the community for the work I am conducting, breaking down barriers and creating a culturally safe learning space for students,” Caroline said.
(Caroline Tarran at the 2024 Wurreker Awards.)
Caroline’s success stemmed from extensive experience in supporting students at Bendigo TAFE. As a Bendigo TAFE community services graduate, Caroline began working at the TAFE as a Koorie liaison officer providing support to First Nations learners.
Her passion to help others eventually led Caroline to completing Bendigo TAFE’s customised First Nations training and assessment course, attaining skills and qualification to teach community services at Bendigo TAFE.
Caroline is looking forward to a bright future in delivering impact to mob.
“Being in the room with many respected and supportive First Nations people filled my cultural cup up,” Caroline said.
“I am so very grateful and looking forward to what the future brings to our First Nations students.”
As a double win, Bendigo TAFE was also recognised for its innovative employment and training initiatives as a finalist for the Wurreker Awards’ Government Employer category.
The award acknowledged Bendigo TAFE’s established commitment to Reconciliation and self-determination for First Nations peoples and communities in its role as a leading skills provider and employer.
Guided by its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, Bendigo TAFE is passionate about creating a culturally safe environment for First Nations staff and students, enabling them to thrive and succeed.
(Bendigo TAFE Indigenous Education Centre representatives at the 2024 Wurreker Awards.)
Recent initiatives at Bendigo TAFE include:
· Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training for staff, as well as dedicated training about delivering an Acknowledgement of Country.
· Respecting and helping to share the stories of First Nations history and connections to land, waters and culture at our campuses and events, and integrating artwork into our facilities.
· Collaborating with First Nations businesses as part of the Whole of Victorian Government Social Procurement Framework, including recently working with First Nations Furniture to uplift furnishing at Charleston Road Campus.
This recognition at the Wurreker Awards follows immense success of Bendigo TAFE First Nations students at state and global platforms.
This includes Caroline’s student, community services student Angelika Fevalealeki, who was recognised as a finalist for the 2024 Wurreker Awards Community Based Employee Award and the 2024 Victorian Training Awards Koorie Student of the Year.
These accolades build on further student achievements on the world stage when human resources, leadership and management student Desirae Kilduff won the 2023 World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnic Outstanding Student Achievement Award (Bronze) following her success in the 2022 Victorian Training Awards also for Koorie Student of the Year.
Comments for attributing, Janelle Arena, Acting CEO Bendigo TAFE:
“I am proud to congratulate Caroline Tarran on her well-deserved recognition at the Wurreker Awards. Her dedication to providing culturally relevant learning has not only empowered countless First Nations students at Bendigo TAFE; it has also made a significant contribution to our community.
“Being recognised amongst leading Victorian government employers also reflects Bendigo TAFE’s deep commitment to fostering an inclusive work and learning environment that celebrates First Nations culture and talent.
“This recognition inspires us to continue breaking barriers, creating pathways, and empowering our First Nations staff and students through meaningful career opportunities and culturally responsive training programs and initiatives.”
