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Branton Keyes in Qld Training Awards final by David Manning
T
ropical North Queensland TAFE has made a strong showing in the 2013 Queensland Training Awards with four students and a teacher making it through to the regional finals. The finalists will attend a gala presentation in Cairns on 3 August with the winners of each category automatically becoming finalists for the state presentation later in the year. Our regional finalists include: • Teacher of the Year nominee Sandie McCoy • Student of the Year nominee Naina Gurung • Student of the Year nominee Simeon Makie • Student of the Year nominee Branton Keyes (pictured) • Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Student of the Year nominee Simeon Makie • School-based Apprentice of the Year nominee Daniel Gangemi. Acting Institute Director DonnaMaree O’Connor congratulated the
finalists, all of whom had made an exceptional contribution to the TNQ TAFE community. “Having such a strong presence in the regional awards is recognition that we are indeed the leaders of vocational education training in our region,” Ms O’Connor said. “The students all have exceptional stories and are all worthy winners, as is our teacher Sandie McCoy who has a genuine passion for teaching and ensuring her students have a great educational experience.” Individual winners from the regions and state finalists in the employer, training provider and industry collaboration categories will vie for state awards, which will be announced in Brisbane on Friday 13 September. From there, the state’s best will compete at the Australian Training Awards on 22 November in Perth. The Queensland Training Awards are presented by the Department of Education, Training and Employment. Page 1