Staff members at TAFE Queensland’s Kingaroy campus celebrate the 40th birthday of the institution
July 28, 2026
The annual South Burnett Careers Market at Queensland TAFE’s Kingaroy campus took on a special meaning last Friday … it was the facility’s 40th birthday!
The buildings, in Geritz Road, were officially in 1986 by then-Premier and local MP Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.
Senior TAFE officials from across other Queensland TAFE facilities travelled to Kingaroy for the celebration.
The Kingaroy campus has supported thousands of students to gain new skills over the past 40 years.
Students from Kingaroy and Nanango State High Schools, Wondai P-9, Saint Mary’s Catholic College and St John’s Lutheran School attended the careers market.
About 40 stallholders filled the grounds, ranging from universities – including QUT, UQ, USQ and UniSC – to potential employers such as Stanwell, the South Burnett Regional Council and Darling Downs Health, and apprenticeship groups such as Golden West and MEGT.
It was also an opportunity for visitors to meet the new Acting Director of Business Development, Fabio Batista, who is based at the Warwick campus.
Mr Batista was appointed in May.
He said the day was an opportunity to connect students with training partnerships and local employers, as well as people thinking about changing careers.
The TAFE In Schools program – just one day a week during school terms – allows high school students to complete Certificate I or Certificate II courses, setting them on a pathway to other programs.
Mr Batista said these certificates could then count towards apprenticeships or traineeships.
Cutting the cake were long-serving Kingaroy TAFE employees Trevor Heslop, Tamara Geritz and Janelle Little with South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff, centre, and TAFE Queensland Assistant Director of Education and Training Anne Griffiths, at rightThe cake, which was made by Kingaroy TAFE students, marked the 40th birthday of the campus as well as recognising the 40 years of service by TAFE employee Janelle “Nelly” LittleVisiting TAFE Queensland staff members … Michaela Procter, Fabio Batista, Melannie Feoli, Amanda Ross and Tessa Foord with Kingaroy-based Evalyn Thompson (3rd from left) and Jason Ford (at right)Mayor Kathy Duff, Cr Jane Erkens, Cr Danita Potter, TAFE Kingaroy’s Janelle Little, Deputy Mayor Linda Little and TAFE Queensland Assistant Director of Education and Training Anne GriffithsTAFE employees Trevor Heslop and Luke Duff were turning their hands to manning the barbecueSergeant Tegan Allen, from ADF Careers at Toowoomba, with 25/49 Battalion reservists Private Adam Roeser and Private Will Lawless, based in WondaiSenior Constable Tyler Henderson and Sergeant Ian Threadingham, from Kingaroy PoliceKingaroy Local Ambulance Committee members Kay and Darryl Dove, in light blue, with paramedics Sarah Mayfield (Nanango QAS), Julia Logan (Nanango QAS) and Savannah Noble (Kingaroy QAS)TAFE instructor Cliff Weier was demonstrating “augmented” welding … the simulator allows students to practise MIG weldingFirst year medical students Lachlan Williams and Lachie Martin, who are studying at the University of Queensland in Toowoomba, were explaining the many pathways available to a medical career, including graduate entry, and the bonded positions available after graduationKat Golledge and Jemma Vanderkolk, from CRAICCHSCherbourg Council’s HR Administration Officer Koby Douglas was explaining career opportunities at CouncilJosh Carty, Gary McDonald and Jo Fooks, from StanwellMaddy Wall and Chris Enniss, from Golding … Golding recently took over operation of the Meandu MineMatthew Colburn, from Powerlink, was demonstrating the difference between circuits set up in series or in parallelToni Fraser, from Tara, was getting a makeover in the on-campus hairdressing studio from Dalby TAFE student Angel-Lilleigh Millard who recently competed in the regional WorldSkills Australia vocational competition for hairdressing
