Our Student Awards shine a spotlight on individuals who have gone above and beyond, showing real dedication and talent throughout the 2025 academic year.
Award celebrations were held over three weeks throughout March across the regions, giving us the chance to come together and recognise the fantastic achievements of students from all 12 campuses.
We invite everyone to join us in celebrating and congratulating the 2025 Student Award winners.
South Regional TAFE Managing Director Blair Marsh congratulated all nominees and winners, acknowledging the effort and dedication behind their success and encouraging them to take pride in what they’ve achieved.
“The annual Student Awards are a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon the individual successes of our students and uncover stories of personal achievement– each one is unique, meaningful and inspirational.
“I congratulate all students for their hard work and dedication to excellence. Each winner is a fantastic ambassador not only for their training area but as a future leader in their regional community.
“Our Students of the Year, Sea Evans and Ehsherwahdah Dah reflect our multi-cultural populations and stand out as leaders who have achieved outstanding success after moving to Australia, learning a new language and dedicating themselves to their studies.
“Access to training opportunities that align with industry needs is even more important in regional areas and South Regional TAFE is dedicated to supporting our students to achieve their goals and ultimately success in their careers.”
Certificate of Excellence Winners
The Certificates of Excellence recognises students who have demonstrated exceptional performance in their training areas throughout 2025.
Select a campus below to reveal each list of winners.
Allied Health
Dexi Mahinay
Apparel, Fashion and Textiles
Helen Bosch
Automotive (Heavy Vehicle)
Ray Szabo
Beauty Therapy
Ella Siwiecki
Building and Construction
Mitchell Pike
Business
Amaya Dobbe
Commercial Cookery
Max Sounness
Conservation and Ecosystem Management
Randal Wilis
Civil Construction
Ehsherwahdah Dah
Early Childhood Education and Care
Fiona Grixti
Early Childhood Education and Care
Megan Brown
Early Childhood Education and Care
Naomi Schoof
Health Services
Ellie Hendriks
Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Mohammad Akbar Nawroozi
Information Technology
Angus Blake
School Based Education Support
Mahnee Hicks
School Based Education Support
Natalie Joyce
Tourism
Eve Verran
Accounting and Bookkeeping
Albert Anter
Allied Health
Telea Dijkstra
Beauty Therapy
Zali Ford
Bricklaying
Declan Smith
Building Project Support
Thi Thanh Phuong Le
Business
Chloe Hoffman
Business
Sarah Racco
Business
Kirsten Read
Cabinetmaking
Thomas McKay
Carpentry
Zsi Cockman
Commercial Cookery
Alice Okyere
Early Childhood Education and Care
Jamielee Conopo
Early Childhood Education and Care
Janielyn Hantid
Early Childhood Education and Care
Otone Hayashi
Early Childhood Education and Care
Ozebefo Ikhazuagbe
Electrotechnology Electrician
James Vincent
Engineering Fabrication Trade (Boilermaker/Welder)
Isaac Pedrazzoli
English as an Additional Language
Sea Evans
Fitness
Sophie Marino
Fitness
Sophie Mathieson
Fitness
Isabelle Sorensen
Fitting and Machining
Tabitha Dale
Health Service Assistant
Mary Clemenica-Dickson
Hospitality
Molly Roberts
Individual Support Aged Care and Individual Support Disability
Ashely Bock
Individual Support Aged Care
Sharon Roebuck
Information Technology (Web Design)
Clay Smit
Laboratory Skills
Hudson Miles
Laboratory Techniques
Kristine McConnell
Light Automotive
Dayna Walton
Light Automotive
Bevan Grey
Mental Health
Talia James
Painting and Decorating
Leia Corby
Pathology
Peta De Haan
Plumbing
Macey Buswell
Remedial Massage
Denise Allen
Remedial Massage
Lindy Callahan
Remedial Massage
Nelson Di Pardo
Residential Drafting
Kayla Hetherington
Salon Assistant
Maquay Bornatici
Salon Assistant
Jacob Wood
Sampling and Measurement
Bailee Pettit
School Based Education Support
Lauren Occhipinti
School Based Education Support
Sheryl Smith
Surveying
Juan Pierre van der Merwe
Visual Art
Maggie Royce
Aviation (Drone Training)
Ethan Evans
Aviation (Drone Training)
Makayla McAuley
Aviation (Drone Training)
Nullah Ebrahim
Business
Thatiane Pinheiro
Community Services
Carli Lyle
English as an Additional Language
Gul Chaman Mohammadi
English as an Additional Language
Hanh Dinh
English as an Additional Language
Mya Mya Than
English as an Additional Language
Nina Ward
General Education for Adults
Jay Gilson
Horticulture
Riley Hvala
Information Technology
Nephi Burns
Individual Support
Tara Devoy
Information Technology
Joshua Bungert
Preparation for Health and Nursing Studies
Co Tu
School Based Education Support
Catherine Joiner
Visual Arts
Roslyn Schreurs
Youth Work
India Cartledge
Youth Work
Joseph Mills
Autonomous Workplace Operations
Braelinn Steiner
Business
Ebony Rogers
General Education for Adults
Kerren Downe
School Based Education Support
Layla Blechynden
Work Health and Safety
Kahli Westlund
Building and Construction
Nathaniel Wilkes
Horticulture
Emma Carter
New Opportunities for Women
Samantha White
Permaculture
Domonique Seale
Visual Arts
Merri Sinclair
Visual Arts
Via Stidwell
Individual Support (Ageing)
Kirsty Sandeman
Workplace Skills
Francene Fernandez
Aviation
Tyler Evans
Electrotechnology
Regan Moloney
Individual Support
Emma Panetta
School Based Education Support
Jennifer Deleo
Early Childhood Education and Care
Joslyn Grindley
Gaining Access to Training and Employment
Maureen Low
School Based Education Support
Karen Watson
School Based Education Support
Megan Healy
Business
Brayden Daniele
Early Childhood Education and Care
Joanna Lapido
Early Childhood Education and Care
Erin Kavanagh
General Education for Adults
Mia Allbon
School Based Education
Jason Treasure
Workplace Skills
Kaleb Broad
Cookery
Lanah Burge
Early Childhood Education and Care
Asha Mackenzie
Individual Support
Belinda Bartlett
Game Art and Design
Michael Davies
Graphic Design
Lydia Ring
Hospitality
Mia Black
Music
Benjamin Lindberg
Preparation for Health and Nursing
Mia Brown
School Based Education Support
Thea Sanders
Screen and Media
Matthew Hartwig
Visual Arts
Mariel Patrimono
Individual Support (Ageing)
Ewa Lofstrom
Advanced Wool Handling
Desiree Baker
Early Childhood Education and Care
Aidatul Husna
Early Childhood Education and Care
Catelyn Bornatici
Early Childhood Education and Care
Jocelyn Brandis
Early Childhood Education and Care
Menai Milton
Campus Student of the Year
The Campus Student of the Year awards celebrate those who exemplify our South Regional TAFE values and go above and beyond to demonstrate commitment to their local community through their academic performance, leadership and in extracurricular activities external to TAFE. Photos shown in order listed below.
Albany - Archie Pegden
Bunbury - Kristine McConnell
Busselton - Thatiane Pinheiro
Collie - Kerren Downe
Denmark - Via Stidwell
Esperance - Kirsty Sandeman (Not pictured)
Harvey - Emma Panetta
Katanning - Karen Watson
Manjimup - Erin Kavanagh (Erin's sister Caitlin in photo)
Margaret River - Benjamin Lindberg
Mount Barker - Ewa Lofstrom
Narrogin - Leonard Emmins
Campus Based Awards - Apprenticeships, Traineeships and VETDSS
The Campus Based Awards recognise the unique attributes of each of our regional campuses that are tailored to support each regional community and their predominate and developing industries.
Select a campus below to reveal each list of winners.
Aboriginal Ranger of the Year
Shantay Grey
Pre Apprentice of the Year
Riley Burns
Apprentice of the Year – 1st Year
Mark Edward De Vries
Apprentice of the Year – 2nd Year
Blake Wilkin
Apprentice of the Year – 3rd Year
Tyler Wallrodt
Apprentice of the Year – Completed
Brian Alforque
Trainee of the Year
Naomi Schoof
VETDSS Student of the Year
Bonnie Spencer
VETDSS Student of the Year
Courtney White
VETDSS Student of the Year
Sienna Crockford
Pre Apprentice of the Year
Savanna Baumann
Apprentice of the Year – 1st Year
Ruby Paltridge
Apprentice of the Year – 2nd Year
Tia Gildersleeve
Apprentice of the Year – 3rd Year
Issac Pedrazzoli
Apprentice of the Year – Completed
Dayna Walton
Trainee of the Year
Hudson Miles
VETDSS Student of the Year
Aurora Peters
VETDSS Student of the Year
Bailee Pettit
VETDSS Student of the Year
Bryden Jones
VETDSS Student of the Year
Chloe Hoffman
VETDSS Student of the Year
Jacob Wood
VETDSS Student of the Year
Lauren Occhipinti
VETDSS Student of the Year
Seth Sims
Trainee of the Year
Jacqui Feutrill
VETDSS Student of the Year
Makayla McAuley
Pre Apprentice of the Year
Regan Moloney
VETDSS Student of the Year
Layla Blechyndon
VETDSS Student of the Year
Braelinn Steiner
VETDSS Student of the Year
Nathaniel Wilkes
Apprentice of the Year – 1st Year
Jai Tracey
Apprentice of the Year – 2nd Year
Cooper Steele
Apprentice of the Year – 3rd Year
Banjo Sparkes
Trainee of the Year
Davina Howse
VETDSS Student of the Year
Charlee Smith
VETDSS Student of the Year
Latrell Lenmardi
Trainee of the Year
Joslyn Grindley
Trainee of the Year
Brayden Daniele
VETDSS Student of the Year
Kaleb Broad
Trainee of the Year
Catelyn Bornatici
VETDSS Student of the Year
Desiree Baker
Major Awards
The Major Awards are for students who have consistently excelled in their training, showing exceptional communication and teamwork skills, and remarkable resilience in overcoming challenges. Photos shown in order listed below.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Rhekesia Bolton
Albany Campus
Cultural Diversity Training Award
Ehsherwahdah Dah
Albany Campus
International Student of the Year
Ozebefo Ikhazuagbe
Bunbury Campus
Most Improved Student Award
Daniel Harp
Esperance Campus
Pathway Award
Megan Brown
Albany Campus
Thriving with Support Award (DAIP)
Kerren Downe
Collie Campus
Vocational Student of the Year
Kristine McConnell
Bunbury Campus
Women in Non-Traditional Trades Award
Kasey Annice
Albany Campus
South Regional TAFE Student of the Year
This prestigious award honours outstanding achievements at the highest level. This year, we are proudly recognising two outstanding individuals.
Ehsherwahdah Dah
Albany Campus
Studied Civil Construction - employed by the City of Albany
Esherwahdah was born in the Tham Him refugee camp in North Thailand and arrived in Australia at just ten years of age adjusting to a new country, a new language, and a new education system.
English is his second language, but rather than allowing that to limit him, he made it one of his greatest areas of growth. His success demonstrates to fellow students—especially those from culturally diverse backgrounds—that challenges can be strengths and that commitment leads to opportunity.
L-R: Lecturer David Yates and Esherwahdah Dah.
Sea Evans
Bunbury Campus
Studied English as an Additional Language
Sea joined the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) in 2020 after arriving in Australia from Thailand. At that time, she was caring for her young son, navigating a new country, and beginning her English studies.
An exceptional learner and natural leader, Sea has gone on to become a mentor in the AMEP community. As the first student to complete the Certificate III, in 2026 she takes the next step in her education journey by commencing a Preparation for Health and Nursing Studies course.
L-R: AMEP Program Manager Melissa Davies, Sea Evans and Lecturer Lisa Niehaus.
Photo Galleries
Access images from each event with the links below.