December 11, 2021
The auditorium at TAFE Queensland’s Nurunderi campus in Cherbourg was filled with proud students, their friends and family members on Wednesday for the college’s annual graduation ceremony.
Certificates were presented to Certificate I, II, III and IV students across a range of subjects, including Community Services, Construction Industry and Rural Support Training.
A special guest was Jenni Butler, the Executive Director Studies for the South West region of TAFE Queensland, who invited individual students into the auditorium to receive their certificates.
Campus Co-ordinator Sharon Sippel congratulated the students on their achievements.
“At TAFE, we celebrate successes every day,” Sharon said.
“We have celebrated the units of completion, we have celebrated their work placements, the jobs that they have achieved … we have celebrated engagements and babies; but most of all we celebrate the students and their qualifications that they have worked so hard for throughout the year.
“I am always astounded by their dedication and commitment to further learning.”
One of the many highlights of the year was the joint project to construct Cherbourg’s new Yarning Circle in Wakka Wakka Park. Construction students joined with Cherbourg Council, CRAICCHS and the Cherbourg community to make the project a reality.
Murgon State High School principal Simon Cotton presented certificates to VETiS (Vocational Education and Training in Schools) students from his school.
He said the Nurunderi campus was really important and provided a pathway for many of his students. There were now 33 students from his school enrolled in VETiS courses, and this would get even better.
Mr Cotton said he had discussed with TAFE introducing a course around the arts.
“Arts is such a strong element of this community and a very good living can be made in the arts, as well,” he said.
“I really want to progress that.”
A highlight of the graduation ceremony was the Student Address by Certificate III in Individual Support recipient Garth Simpson Jnr.
Garth spoke about growing up in Cherbourg, the challenges he faced in getting an education and the fact he “did not give up” on himself.
“Education is so important in life,” he said.
Garth stressed that Cherbourg had been built on three key words: respect, sacrifice and resilience (his full speech is below).
After a huge round of applause, Garth was presented with the inaugural Nurunderi Student Of The Year Award.
