Vocational student of the year finalists
Michelle Andrews
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
Michelle has shown strength and determination while studying for her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. She finished her studies while raising her children and working at the café at the Dandenong campus.
Michelle has a natural talent for educating others. In class, she shared her knowledge in supporting victims of domestic violence. Her sensitivity when tackling this topic has been her strength.
Michelle’s warm and positive attitude has helped students deal with tough emotions and topics in class. She is an enthusiastic classmate, encouraging her peers and creating a safe space for open discussions.
Rachel Beattie
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Rachel’s love of teaching began in her role as a swimming instructor teaching children from birth up to 12 years old. She loved teaching three- and four-year-olds in the Learn to Swim program.
When her health circumstances changed and she could no longer work at the swimming pool, Rachel pursued a career change that ensured she could still work with young children.
Since completing her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, Rachel is now studying the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Aiming to take on supervisory and managerial roles, Rachel has a bright future ahead in the early childhood education and care sector.
Laura Feddersen
Diploma of Nursing
Laura swapped her corporate career to study a Diploma of Nursing at the Frankston campus.
As a mature-aged student, Laura was nervous about returning to the classroom, but she always brought a positive and inspiring energy to each session.
Laura earned her colleagues’ respect with her teamwork, professionalism and strong work ethic.
She won Ramsay Health’s 2024 Nursing Cadet Student of the Year Award, when she was selected from 150 students.
The positive and supportive environment Laura created has made a great impact on her workplace and the broader community.
Tanya Kathleen
Certificate III in Horticulture
Tanya is delighted she completed a Certificate III in Horticulture. The course has helped her secure a high-profile job in the industry.
Tanya represented Chisholm at the 2025 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, where she won the People’s Choice Award in the Achievable Garden category for her Live in Joy installation. She helps future students by documenting her work with the show.
Volunteering her time to speak with new horticulture students, Tanya offers insights into the interesting work they can do with their studies.
Naomi Lockwood-Hickey
Certificate III in Horticulture
Naomi has gone from strength to strength during her Certificate III in Horticulture. She was often the first to class, even though she had to take two buses to the Chisholm Mornington campus three days a week.
Naomi always helped her classmates and brought them together to achieve group goals while creating a safe space within class. One of her best achievements was mentoring a student to develop their computer skills. Each week, Naomi helped them until they felt comfortable and supported them with a class presentation.
Naomi’s hard work paid off when she was awarded the 2024 Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria Horticulture Student of the Year.
Nooria Neda
Certificate III in General Education for Adults
After personal tragedy, Nooria decided to restart her education in Australia with a Certificate III in General Education for Adults. She moved here with her two small children in 2022 to begin a new life.
Nooria studied a Bachelor of Law and Political Science in her homeland of Afghanistan. She wants to study a master's in these subjects in Australia.
A determined and focused student, Nooria rebuilt herself through Chisholm and is a strong advocate for migrant education.
She has interviewed women and girls since she fled Afghanistan, and collected their stories. She hopes to publish her book, Defiant Daughters, to raise awareness of the issues Afghan women face.
Nooria is an asset to both the Afghan and wider Australian communities.
Lexi Waller
Diploma of Graphic Design
Lexi did not listen to anyone who told her that studying a Diploma of Graphic Design was a ‘waste of time.’ She is delighted that she trusted her motivation as this course has set her up for meaningful work in an industry she loves.
Lexi thrived when working on industry projects, such as a road safety project with the Re:Act program. She represented Chisholm, as one of only three Australian representatives, at the World Youth Assembly for Road Safety in Morocco. This has raised Chisholm’s profile, including our graphic design offerings.
Lexi won the Outstanding Student Award at last year’s end-of-year exhibition. In 2024, she was also named Highly Commended Design Student of the Year.