TAFE NSW Bathurst student, Kara Jayne is encouraging the local community to consider a career helping others as statistics reveal that domestic violence rates are higher in rural and regional NSWi.

After falling victim to domestic violence herself, Ms Jayne has made it her mission to help others in a similar situation. For her passion for supporting rural communities and commitment to her career she was also awarded with a $6,000 Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) Foundation Scholarship presented by the Governor of New South Wales, The Hon. Margaret Beazley AO, the Patron of the RAS.

Ms Jayne said “I was really grateful to receive the scholarship from the Governor of New South Wales. I’m so passionate about changing social injustices and gender inequalities.

“After escaping a domestic violence situation three years ago, I have been raising my four year old daughter on my own. I decided to study a Certificate IV in Community Services at TAFE NSW and I’m now nearing the completion of a Diploma of Community Services.

“I’ve really enjoyed studying at TAFE NSW; it has given me the confidence to get involved and make new connections with local industry organisations such as the Bathurst Family Violence Community Network.”

Ms Jayne said the scholarship has helped her pay for her tuition, buy her first laptop and assist with travel costs associated with her work placement.

“My TAFE NSW teachers have been really supportive and have shared their industry knowledge and contacts with me to kick-start my career. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my work placement at the NSW Community Justice Centre in Orange and can see a future for myself working in this field.

“Once I complete the Diploma, I would like to work as a Community Corrections Officer working with offenders to target and mend domestic violence issues. I would also like to continue to assist the community in building stronger families by empowering women in the Central West region.”

TAFE NSW Community Services Teacher, Alison Shurmer, said Kara has consistently worked to a very high standard during her studies.

“Kara is very active in a local domestic and family violence group. She has worked very hard and should be proud of her achievements both at TAFE NSW and within the community over the past two years.

“She is the perfect example of students coming to TAFE NSW to get the job-ready skills to work in an industry that is in need of skilled professionals.

For more information about community services courses now available at TAFE NSW for semester one enrolment, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.

Media contact: Emma Curtis, TAFE NSW Media Officer, (02) 6338 2509, mobile 0427 901 515.

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i. Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2017). Personal Safety Survey 2016. ABS cat. no. 4906.0. Canberra: ABS. Retrieved from: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4906.0