April 21, 2016
TAFE’s Kingaroy campus celebrated its 30th birthday on Tuesday evening with lots of food, drinks, music, memories and three special awards.
The Kingaroy College of TAFE (now TAFE Qld South West’s Kingaroy campus) was officially opened by then-Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen in 1986.
Teacher Ron Trace recalled that the first few weeks were spent removing the peanut shell mulch from the garden beds, as the wind kept whipping the shells into the classrooms.
Only in Kingaroy …
The official opening was a very formal affair (see video, below) but 30 years later the celebration was much more laid back with local musician Lloyd Back providing live music, and students and staff members manning the barbecue and hors d’oeuvre trays.
Sir Joh’s son John and his wife Karyn were guests at the anniversary celebration.
Guests had the opportunity to browse through newspaper clippings and photograph albums which chronicled the changes at the campus over the years.
A special treat was a Kodak carousel of slides which showed some of the early days and teachers.
Compere for the formal part of the evening was recently appointed TAFE Qld South West general manager Brent Kinnane, who took over from Trevor Schwenke earlier this year.
Mr Kinnane was previously executive officer at Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges, Gatton.
He said there were two staff members at the Kingaroy campus whose commitment to TAFE “should be an example to us all”.
TAFE CEO Jodi Schmidt and Acting TAFE Board Chairman Peter Price presented staff members Ron Trace and Janelle Little with certificates for clocking up 30 years service as Foundation staff members at the Kingaroy campus.
Ms Schmidt said farmers and other employers always spoke very highly of Mr Trace and his students.
“He’s a quiet achiever with a huge work ethic,” she said.
Mr Price said Ms Little was one of the unsung heroes at Kingaroy.
“She has passion, commitment and loyalty to TAFE, and she’s a genuine human being,” he said.
Then it was the turn of current student Kirsty Horne to take the microphone.
Kirsty, who aims to become a primary school teacher, is completing a Diploma of Early Childhood Education at Kingaroy, cutting two years off her university course. The keen ballerina is also studying a Diploma in Dance and another Certificate III course.
She recently was awarded a $5000 scholarship by TAFE Queensland to help with her studies.
Mr Kinnane congratulated Kirsty on her scholarship: “To have that level of drive is enormous.”
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1986 TV News (courtesy Jason Ford)
The Kingaroy TAFE 30th Anniversary celebration was a wonderful evening. There was equal parts nostalgia and excitement about the future. TAFE Queensland is an institution well over a century old, and the Kingaroy Campus has made a proud contribution to its success and legacy. Thanks and congratulations to Kingaroy Campus’ founding staff members Janelle Little and Ron Trace for the recognition of 30 years hard-work and dedication.