2009 Institute Director's Award Recipients

Jenny Hazelton

Excellence in Delivery

Jenny has made an outstanding contribution to the development and implementation of community services and health programs which have become showcases for Western Institute. These include Aboriginal Health Work, for trainees and TVET students, Enrolled Nursing at Orange, Mental Health First Aid, Allied Health Assistants and a number of customised training packages for industry groups.

Jenny initiated Aboriginal Health Work training which was identified as a high priority by Greater Western Area Health Service. To achieve outstanding results in with their training she had to broker innovative solutions to issues that would have otherwise become barriers.  Jenny has strong industry relationships that contribute to the success of her work.

Ann Thompson

Excellence in Delivery 

Ann Thompson is a Hospitality teacher at Lithgow TAFE. She is an active member of her local community and contributes to the highly visible and prominent role TAFE has at Lithgow. She had taken advantage of different funding opportunities to deliver training with various groups of students. She moves easily between these groups and is a highly dedicated teacher.

Ann has a strong presence in the operation of the TAFE restaurant and the showcased her studies at the Annual TAFE -Industry diner. A School Principals Dinners has also been held in the hospitality facility under Ann's guidance.

Cathy Jones

Excellence in Equity

Cathy Jones is a well respected member of the Foundation Studies team in Dubbo.  Her expertise in literacy is highly regarded by staff members and she demonstrates Best Practice in all her teaching.  Cathy is professional, enthusiastic and committed to equity for all students.  Her empathy and understanding of the disadvantage encountered by many Indigenous students ensures that positive outcomes for her students are her priority. 

 Feedback from students demonstrates Cathy's expertise in maximising learning outcomes, and her caring approach to the welfare of students.  Her philosophy is based on facilitating learning so students learn how to learn, and in the process become lifelong learners.

Sally Brownlow

Excellence in Support of Delivery

Sally has added value to TAFE Western by introducing technology in a non-threatening and easy to understand manner. She brings enthusiasm to what is new but offers critical appraisal of how technology can be used effectively to enrich learning.

She willingly offers time and knowledge and supports the ideas of others. Sally has been able to encourage teachers to move in new directions.

Joanne Pilon

Excellence in Support of Delivery

Jo Pilon is the Library Manager at Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin Colleges, and she provides an amazing example of excellence in support of delivery.

Jo has implemented many learner centred strategies at the three libraries under her management - she has the ability to work closely with learners and teachers at the local level and then think globally at an Institute level. She has invigorated the libraries at Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin providing new resources, turning the libraries into welcoming meeting places for learners and staff. She has equiped the libraries with up to date equipment to facilitiate e-learning. She is always asking for input from teachers re suitable resources to purchase for the faculties and ways to help learners.

Rebecca Wilcox

Outstanding Achievement in Business Growth and Customer Service

Rebecca Wilcox is a member of the Mining Team based in Orange.  Her knowledge of corporate systems, her efficient work ethic and her ability to communicate well with people made her a valuable PINR team member. Rebecca never hesitates to assist all staff in any area that she can.

Rebecca's rapport with clients is exceptional and she is accepted, respected and trusted  by all clients that she deals with. Nothing ever seems to be too much trouble and she is thought of highly by all, her customer focus is second to none. Regardless of the pressures that she can be under, Rebecca remains fully focused on the task and has an exceptional ability to prioritise her workload and meet deadlines

Dubbo Foundation Studies

Achievement by a Team

The Foundation Studies Team at Dubbo TAFE has been innovative, flexible and responsive in meeting the educational and training needs of individuals, community group and local industry. The team have been able to develop outstanding relationships with industry which in turn have been a great benefit to TAFE Western. A recent example of this is the outstanding outcomes when working with NSW police to deliver the Indigenous Police recruitment Out West (IPROWD) program.

Dubbo College Maintenance Team

Achievement by a Team

The Dubbo TAFE College Maintenance Team works across Dubbo TAFE's four campuses. They have been recognised for with excellent work especially in t relationship extra duties that have resulted from recent and ongoing upgrades to building and facilities.

2008 Institute Director's Award Recipients

Excellence in Delivery

  • Kay Adams, Head Teacher, Children's Services in Orange
  • Fiona McCauley, Fiona is a Part-Time Teacher of Animal Studies in Dubbo

Excellence in Support of Delivery

  • Maxine Benwell, Educational Support Officer in Dubbo
  • Patricia Keates, Educational Support Officer in Bathurst

Excellence in Equity

  • Graeme Filippi, Nursing Teacher in Dubbo

Outstanding Achievement in Business Growth and Customer Service

  • Sandra Gray, Faculty Business Coordinator for Manufacturing, Engineering, Construction and Transport

Achievement by a Team

  • PrintWest Team

Contribution to Community Development

  • Sue Wood, Outreach Coordinator based in Forbes 

2007 Institute Director's Awards

In November 2007 Institute Director's Awards were presented in the following categories.

Excellence in Delivery

  • Robyn Mawbey; Head Teacher, Hair and Beauty, Dubbo
  • Wendy Stroeve; PTT Humanities (Pre Vocational), Bathurst
  • Jennifer Purdie; PTCT Access and General Education, Forbes and Parkes

Excellence in Equity

  • Joe Knagge; ICT Operations Manager, Dubbo
  • Michelle Cowles-Kosef; Outreach Coordinator, Coonamble

Excellence in Support of Delivery

  • Ruth Roberts; Library Manager, Dubbo

Outstanding Achievement in Business Growth and Customer Service

  • Judith Treganowan; Head Teacher, Business Services, Broken Hill
  • Karen Hyland; CEO Aged Care Funding Instrument Project, Dubbo