The dedication and commitment to the tourism industry by a TAFE Ourimbah student was recognised at a ceremony at NSW Parliament House, to mark the 2017 Minister’s Student Achiever Awards. Award winner, Ms Janelle Rooney, is a proud Aboriginal student who has stood out from her peers as a hardworking and committed young woman.
Ms Rooney has overcome a range of personal health and financial issues to strive in her studies. She first enrolled with TAFE NSW Ourimbah campus mid-year 2016 and completed a Certificate III in Tourism, while working full-time as a waitress to support herself. She often finished work at midnight or 1:00am and then had to be on campus by 8:30am that morning.
Her academic results in her Certifi cate III in Tourism course were outstanding, and at the beginning of 2017, she enrolled full-time in the Diploma of Travel and Tourism Management. She also changed jobs after securing work with Sydney’s new ICC at Darling Harbour. This was also shift work, with 3:00pm start times and early morning finishes, which is testimony to her dedication. Minister for Tourism and Major Events, and Assistant Minister for Skills, Mr Adam Marshall, said he congratulated the students on their academic achievements in tourism and hospitality studies.
“The TAFE NSW students honoured today represent the future of tourism and hospitality, and embody the commitment to excellence that is critical to the continued success of our industry,” Mr Marshall said. “The NSW Government is committed to growing the NSW visitor economy to ensure that we remain the number one state for tourism and major events in Australia.
“This means the creation of more jobs across the industry and more opportunities for future generations of tourism industry professionals. “It is encouraging to see TAFE NSW represented by these students, and I thank it for its continued commitment to fostering our future industry leaders. “I also welcome TAFE’s continued support of tourism and hospitality related studies,” Mr Marshall said. Since 1990, the NSW Government has acknowledged academically high achieving tourism and hospitality students at an annual Minister’s Student Achievers Awards ceremony. Students from NSW education institutions offering degrees, diplomas and certifi cate courses in tourism and hospitality studies can be nominated for the awards.
Source: Media release, Sep 28 Jackie Bassett, TAFE NSW