Minister Geoffrey Lee and Norma Binge
TAFE Digital student, Norma Binge from Buderim in Queensland, was recognised for her achievements at the 2019 TAFE NSW Gili Awards in Sydney last week.
Attended by The Hon. Dr Geoffrey Lee, Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, the 2019 TAFE NSW Gili (pronounced kill-ee) Awards celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal students, as well as the accomplishments of TAFE NSW employees and innovative programs that have empowered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout 2018.
Ms Binge who was awarded the Academic Excellence Award said, “I’m extremely happy to have received this award and am honoured to be recognised for the work I’ve done in Boggabilla and surrounding areas while working at the Poche Centre to coordinate the mobile dental service between 2014 and 2018.
“This experience, combined with my studies at TAFE NSW, has stood me in good stead for the work that I’m currently doing with the North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health as an Indigenous Child Health Worker on the Sunshine Coast and in the Gympie regions.”
TAFE Digital General Manager, Megan Aitken, congratulated the winners for their hard work, dedication and commitment to transforming their lives and communities through vocational education and training.
“Last night’s celebration marked the 29th year that the TAFE NSW Gili Awards have recognised the power of vocational education and training, and the life changing pathways to employment or further study for Aboriginal communities.
“Gili is an Eora word meaning ‘to shine’ and is fitting for Ms Binge whose achievements we are extremely proud to acknowledge.
“Ms Binge has demonstrated remarkable talent, ambition and determination through her studies with TAFE Digital and her commitment to her local community,” said Ms Aitken.
Fifteen awards were presented in 12 categories at the event. The full list of award winners are:
Award Category
Winner
TAFE NSW study and home location
The Gili Award
Ashleigh Knight
TAFE NSW Dubbo
Encouragement Award
Chenoa Endacott
TAFE NSW Mudgee
Kalem McLean
TAFE NSW Eora
Achievement Award
Stephanie Morris
TAFE Digital / Surfside
Juanella McKenzie
TAFE NSW Campbelltown
Jeffery Amatto
Award for Academic Excellence
Norma Binge
TAFE Digital/ Buderim QLD
Apprentice of the Year Award
Steven Green
TAFE NSW Grafton
TVET Award (Schools)
Kirsten Fitzpatrick
TAFE NSW Bathurst
Non-Aboriginal Staff Award
Bridget Thomas
Aboriginal Staff Award
Natalie Wilcock & Rebecca Murphy
TAFE Digital
Bruce Kendall Award
Elsie Gordon
Industry Partnership Award
NECA emPOWER Aboriginal Apprentice Readiness Program
Youth Engagement Award
Community Engagement Award
Wiradjuri Language
TAFE NSW Tumut
Media contact: Bonny Gunn, TAFE Digital Media Business Partner. M: 0417 134 048