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Top achievers at Bendigo TAFE awarded

A former translator turned local business owner with a budding future in gardening has been awarded Bendigo TAFE Student of the Year.

More than 50 vocational students and apprentices were celebrated at the 2025 Bendigo TAFE Industry Excellence Awards last night thanks to the best in industry sponsors.

(Bendigo TAFE's 2025 Industry Excellence Awards Institute-wide award winners with CEO Sally Curtain.)

Meet some of our student award winners:

Bendigo TAFE Student of the Year: Ying (Sunny) Zhao

Award Sponsor: City of Greater Bendigo

After growing up in China and working as a translator, Ying (Sunny) Zhao moved to Australia more than a decade ago to start a new life chapter. Settling in Bendigo, she has built a successful local business, balancing entrepreneurship with her passion for gardening.

When Sunny began considering further study, it was her husband who suggested horticulture – a natural fit for someone who spent every spare moment tending to her garden, cultivating fruit trees, vegetables, and roses. That suggestion led Sunny to enrol in the Certificate III in Horticulture at Bendigo TAFE, a decision that would shape her future.

Sunny’s passion for plants and sustainability flourished at Bendigo TAFE, where she gained hands-on experience in the campus greenhouses, pruning fruit trees, and learning advanced propagation techniques. Adjusting to the scientific aspects of horticulture was initially challenging, particularly memorising Latin plant names, but the support of her teachers and classmates helped her overcome these hurdles.

“Our classmates are very good; we just work together. If one student has a question, other people will help you,” Sunny said. “I really enjoyed the course, the teachers, and the students.”

Studying horticulture at Bendigo TAFE expanded Sunny’s understanding of gardening beyond her personal experience. Growing up in China, she was accustomed to a hot and wet climate, vastly different from Bendigo’s hot and dry summers. The course helped her navigate these differences and introduced her to more sustainable gardening practises.

She discovered new ways to protect and maintain a healthy garden, learning that sustainable practises are far more beneficial to the environment than relying on harsh chemicals.

A highlight of her studies was participating in the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, where she contributed to the creation of a garden exhibition. This experience reinforced her passion for working with plants and collaborating with likeminded people.

Now, as the recipient of the prestigious Bendigo TAFE Student of the Year award for 2025 sponsored by City of Greater Bendigo, Sunny is looking forward to the future. Her dream is to work in national parks, caring for plants and preserving natural landscapes.

“I want to look after the plants and gardens,” she said. “I strongly recommend studying horticulture. The teachers are very supportive, they answer all your questions, and if they don’t know the answer, you find out together.”

Sunny credits her success to the people who supported her through her studies, including her husband and colleagues who stepped in to help managed her business while she pursued her qualification.

“Once you have a dream, everybody will help you,” she said. “Without their help, I couldn’t finish this course.”

When she first learned about her nomination for Horticulture: Student of the Year, Sunny was shocked.

“I don’t know what I did to be chosen,” she said humbly. “I think I’m just a representative of the whole group.”

Despite her modesty, her dedication, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn have made her a standout student. As she embarks on the next stage of her career, she carries with her the knowledge and experience gained at Bendigo TAFE, ready to make a lasting impact in the world of horticulture.

In addition to the Bendigo TAFE student of the year, Sunny was also awarded:

• Student of the Year: Horticulture, sponsored by Rotary Club of Bendigo South

Sunny studied Certificate III in Horticulture (AHC30722).

View Sunny’s story: here

(Sunny Zhao is the Bendigo TAFE 2025 Student of the Year.)

Inspirational Student of the Year: Bethany Knight

Award Sponsor: Rotary Club of Bendigo South

Bethany Knight’s journey is one of perseverance, passion, and an unbreakable spirit. Named Bendigo TAFE’s Inspirational Student of the Year, her story is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity and the power of education to transform lives.

Hailing from Rochester, Bethany spent a decade as a baker, deeply passionate about her craft. Due to a medical operation, she was no longer able to pursue her career in baking and found herself searching for a new path.

“Baking was my passion, I loved to do it,” she recalls. “When I couldn’t do it anymore, it took me a while to find something else.”

Bethany cycled through different jobs, none of which felt like the right fit. On top of this, the devastating floods in Rochester in 2022 left her and her family living in a shed, struggling to rebuild their lives. In these dark moments, she turned to one thing that had always been a source of comfort – writing.

“The only thing that got me through was writing,” Bethany shares. “I’ve actually written my own story, but I’ve never published it before.”

It was this passion that led her to enrol in the Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing at Bendigo TAFE, where she found both her purpose and a community that uplifted her.

Throughout her studies, Bethany developed skills in writing, editing, and storytelling. She credits her teacher, Ian Irvine, as a key influencer.

“He’s absolutely fabulous. He’s been an inspiration to me. He meets you at your level because he’s been there, he’s done that.”

She highlights how the course introduced her to new ideas, challenged her perspectives, and provided a nurturing environment that contrasted with the hardships she faced at home.

Bendigo TAFE was more than a place of study – it became a second home.

“The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. I could stay back in class after a session and just write. It was a safe space where I felt encouraged.”

Bethany’s resilience was further tested when she suffered a back injury while helping with repairs on her home. The road to recovery was long, requiring surgery and time to heal. Yet, she was determined to complete her studies.

“I took a week off to heal, but I was so determined to finish the course.”

With a strong sense of community, Bethany is driven to tell stories that matter. She is current working on two books – one, a non-fiction account of the Rochester floods and the personal stories of those affected, and the other, a thriller novel.

“People need to know what happened. Rochester’s story was skimmed in the news, and it needs to be shared.”

Her dedication to others extends beyond writing. During the floods, Bethany volunteered with the Salvation Army, helping those in need. She describes Rochester as a town where “people look after each other.” It is this deep connection to her community that fuels her ambition.

Being nominated for Inspirational Student of the Year has been a surreal experience for Bethany.

“It feels unreal. It feels like I don’t deserve something like this. It’s such a great opportunity, and I never expected it to happen.” She expresses her gratitude to Bendigo TAFE, her teachers, her family, and her partner, who has also dedicated himself to the community through his work in the fire brigade.

As she looks to the future, Bethany remains humble yet determined.

“I’d love to be like J. R. R. Tolkien – but that’s way off in the clouds,” she laughs. For now, her goal is to publish her two books and continue to grow in the field of writing and editing.

“I can’t plan for the future – it always curves. But I know I want to share stories and help people.”

Bethany Knight’s journey is a powerful reminder that no matter the obstacles, passion and perseverance can lead to incredible new beginnings. Bendigo TAFE is proud to celebrate her achievements and the impact she continues to make on her community.

In addition to Inspirational Student of the Year, Bethany was also awarded:

• Professional and Creative Student of the Year, sponsored by Bendigo Community Health Services

Bethany studied Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing (CUA50118).

View Bethany’s story here: here

(Bethany Knight is the Bendigo TAFE 2025 Inspirational Student of the Year.)

Comments for attributing – Sally Curtain, Chief Executive Officer Bendigo TAFE:

"Sunny and Bethany’s achievements remind us of the incredible power of education to transform lives. Their dedication, resilience, and passion for their craft are what makes vocational education so vital – not just for them, but for the industries and communities they will shape.

“Bendigo TAFE is more than just a place of learning – it's a launchpad for success. In regional Victoria, we play a crucial role in equipping people with the skills they need to thrive, and Sunny and Bethany are shining examples of that. Their journeys, from study to success, show what’s possible when talent meets opportunity.

“Vocational education is all about opening doors. It’s about giving people the tools to build their future, with the backing of passionate educators, industry partners, and vital initiatives like Free TAFE. None of this happens without the commitment of our teachers, staff, and collaborators, who work tirelessly to ensure our students succeed.”

FULL LIST OF AWARDS

Institute wide awards

Student of the Year