CELEBRATING STUDENT LIFE ON NATIONAL TAFE DAY

To mark the occasion of National TAFE Day, the Australian Education Union will be joined by Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor, who will announce the winners of a new national photography competition in Canberra today.

The competition, which included participants from TAFE campus across the country, celebrates vocational education through moving photographic depictions of life on campus.

AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said that the competition was a wonderful way to honour and celebrate the vital role of vocational education in Australian society.

“On National TAFE Day we proudly acknowledge the TAFE teachers who are at the heart of the TAFE system.

“The submissions by TAFE students from around Australia capture the multi-faceted and important role TAFE plays in our society.

“Not only does a TAFE education equip students with knowledge and skills, it also connects them with a community of like-minded individuals.

“TAFE is and will continue to be an important part of Australian life, and it is vital that Governments at all levels recognise its value and ensure that it is fully funded,” Ms Haythorpe said.

The winner of the competition will be chosen from the finalists from each state and territory (except the Northern Territory). The list of finalists includes:

● Heather Hodgson from the ACT – Heather is a student at the Canberra Institute of Technology and has always appreciated the way in which pictures can capture a moment in time and tell a story.

● Sakina Fayasi from New South Wales – Sakina is a student at Granville TAFE and enjoys photography because it offers her a unique way to express herself.

● Steven Krrige from Queensland – Steven studies at the TAFE Acacia Ridge Skills Tech and hails from South Africa. His submission captures the start of his journey in Australia.

● Benjamin Anstey from South Australia – Benjamin studies at the Adelaide College of Arts and his submission pays tribute to Edward Hopper’s painting “Nighthawks”.

● Senara Rajith Sankalpa Kasthuriararchchige from Tasmania – Senara is a student at TasTAFE Clarence, and his submission tries to capture the visual depiction of humanity.

● Mei Ho from Victoria – Mei is a student at SuniTAFE in Mildura and her photograph replicates the memories of a high school yearbook.

● Callae Sutton from Western Australia – Callae studies photography and digital imaging at the North Metropolitan TAFE Campus in Perth and their photograph captures three students enjoying downtime in the TAFE library.