National Skills Week at Wodonga TAFE - Student Showcase Winners Announced!

Friday, 12 September 2025

Wodonga TAFE campuses came alive during National Skills Week with a series of fun, hands-on challenges that had students buzzing long after the final task was complete.

From cupcake decorating to sterile glove donning, students across Salon Assistance, Hairdressing, Commercial Cookery, Nursing, and Landscape Construction took part in light-hearted, lightly competitive activities designed to celebrate their skills and progress. The events, held at McKoy Street and Latchford Barracks, also introduced students to the WorldSkills competition format - offering a glimpse into future regional contests and the chance to represent Victoria in Adelaide in 2027.

 

 

Teachers were thrilled with the enthusiasm and talent on display. “An incredibly fun time that the students are still talking about,” said CSH teacher Sue Toohey. Hairdressing’s Carmen McInnes added, “These guys smashed the brief out of the park!” while Kellie Hamilton from Nursing called it “a fantastic fun activity.”

 

The challenges not only showcased technical ability but also revealed students’ personalities and teamwork. “I was surprised at how well they embraced the competition,” Sue reflected, noting that 90% of her group were keen to participate again. Some of the results are even set in stone—literally. A new extension to the low stone wall near Kids on Campus stands as a permanent reminder of the Landscape Construction students’ efforts.

 

A big thank you goes to Janelle Cretney, the Education & Vocational Services team, Community Services & Health, Marketing, and the Community Industry and Engagement Team for making the Skills Showcase possible. And of course, applause to the students and the passionate educators who brought the week to life: Zoe Wilde, Carmen McInnes, Krystal Baird, Kellie Hamilton, Susan Toohey, Jocelyn Collie, Bobby Read, and Ted Coughlan.

 

Without further ado - here are the results!

 

Qualification	1	2	3
Certificate II in Salon Assistant	Sharn Smith	Charlotte Hodgkin
Cert II in Hairdressing	Darci Mitchell	Mahalia Withers
Cert III in Hairdressing	Jade Vyner	Jacinta Reid
Cert III in Commercial Cookery	Alex Durling	Aaron Haslam
Diploma of Nursing	Aebel Naveen	Abbey Parramore	Elisa Lett
Diploma of Nursing	Kiara Tapai, Alia Heeps, Aaliyah Godwin, Stephanie Hanrahan, Taya Wynne, Georgie Rushton, Morgan Fleming, Olivia Nitschke.
Diploma of Nursing	Eliza Morgan & Krystal Guisa	Emma Hooper & Kendra Walker
Cert III in Landscape Construction	Kara Seymour	Lewis Bowen	Jackson Coughlan

 

If you would like more information, contact the teachers indicated above, or Jodie Kensington - jkensington@wodongatafe.edu.au

What's Next:

Community Industry and Engagement Team are busy working with thier GOTAFE equivalents and teaching departments to lock in dates and activites for next year's REgional WorldSkills competition.