Two Bendigo TAFE health students – pathology graduate Shee Lay Bell Po and dental assisting student Franchesca Morrell – have been recognised amongst Victoria’s most inspirational young achievers.
They are two out of four finalists for the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards VIC Kangan Institute Inspirational TAFE Student Award, with the winner to be announced on 28 April.
Having moved to Australia at age 11 as a refugee, finalist Shee Lay Bell Po was recognised for her commitment to pursuing a career in health despite various challenges.
“When I was a little girl, I always wanted to help people, just like my mom. My mom used to be a nurse in a refugee camp. I thought it was never going to happen for me because English was always a difficult language for me,” Shee Lay said.
While completing secondary school, Shee Lay became a young mother but managed to stay on top of her studies, completing the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning.
Upon moving to Bendigo with her family, Shee Lay enrolled in the Certificate III in Pathology Collection (HLT37215) at Bendigo TAFE. English language was once again a barrier, with complex medical terms now a major part of her course, but Shee Lay devoted extra time to look up the definition of words, taking the initiative to ask teachers and classmates for help if needed.
“I enjoyed being within a classroom setting and being able to meet and work with a variety of different people who I have formed close friendships and bonds with. I loved studying a subject I was passionate about and felt well prepared by the teachers to enter the work force,” Shee Lay said.
(Shee Lay Bell Po)
Now fully qualified, she has secured full-time employment as a pathology collector at Melbourne Pathology, a role achieved after a one-week work placement during her studies.
“I enjoy helping the community by performing professional blood and other specimen collections that may save a patient’s life or help them on their health journey. I love having my regular patients return and getting to know them, as well as working with a variety of likeminded staff members who have now become friends,” Shee Lay said.
Having also received Bendigo TAFE’s 2023 Inspirational Student of the Year Award last month, Shee Lay hopes to inspire others to strive for their dreams.
“I feel both very proud and overjoyed for how far I’ve come and for this opportunity in life,” she said.
“I hope to inspire likeminded individuals who may find themselves in similar positions as I did growing up and prove that anything is possible when you put yourself forward.”
Recognised at the 2022 Victorian Training Awards as Victorian Trainee of the Year, Franchesca Morrell hopes to inspire other young people as a finalist of the Victorian Inspirational TAFE Student Award.
“I hope to inspire anybody who is discouraged and worried about their future. It will be okay. You just have to do your best and make the most of every opportunity,” Franchesca said.
Franchesca migrated to Australia from the Philippines and worked for two years as a dental assistant before joining a clinic that offered the Certificate III in Dental Assisting (HLT35021) traineeship through Bendigo TAFE.
(Franchesca Morrell)
“The curriculum and teaching staff are top notch. It was a wonderful learning experience,” she said.
“It was great to study and work at the same time. What I learnt in theory at night could be put into practice during the day. It kept me on my toes, and it kept me aware of everything I needed to do in my role.”
Now a senior dental assistant at Bendigo Health, Franchesca is continuing with further studies – a Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Oral Health Promotion) (HLT45015) – and also works in community health, including the Victorian Government’s Smile Squad and Bendigo Health’s dental outreach program. She also works on the dental teaching floor guiding other dentistry and oral health students.
“Being a tooth fairy, I get to help people every single day conquer their fear and transform their smiles. It is worth more than putting a dime under your pillow!” Franchesca said.
Bendigo TAFE Acting Chief Executive Officer Michelle Johnston commended both students for their achievements.
“Shee Lay and Franchesca have demonstrated an incredible resilience to succeed in their career through education, and we are incredibly proud of them for being recognised amongst Victoria’s most outstanding young people,” Michelle said.
“Our mission as a TAFE is to empower people with the skills to create a bright future, and we are honoured to have had an opportunity to play a part in Shee Lay and Franchesca’s journey to success.”
The 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards VIC celebrates outstanding young Victorians across 13 award categories, with the Kangan Institute Inspirational TAFE Student Award recognising individuals enrolled in a TAFE course who have overcome adversity to find success through education.
Winners of the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards VIC will receive a range of prizes, with one of the twelve winners to be chosen as the 2023 Victorian Young Achiever of the Year.
