Fraser Coast graduates gown up to celebrate

More than 60 students from TAFE Queensland's Hervey Bay and Maryborough campuses—graduating with qualifications in study areas ranging from individual support and beauty to automotive and horticulture—descended on the Carriers Arms Hotel recently to mark the culmination of all their hard work, and the exciting beginning of their new careers.

TAFE Queensland General Manager for the East Coast region Mark Reilly said the ceremony was an opportunity for students who’d completed their studies in 2024 to acknowledge their accomplishments and celebrate their progression on the path to achieving their career goals.

“Our students have invested a significant amount of time and effort into growing their skills and enhancing their career opportunities, and graduation is their chance to stop and reflect on how far they’ve come, celebrate the results of all their hard work, and look forward to achieving their career goals,” Mr Reilly said.

“As the state’s largest and most trusted training provider, TAFE Queensland changes lives. We help our students to pursue vocations they are truly passionate about, and in turn, they make a vital contribution to the community – from caring for our most vulnerable in times of need and helping our children reach their full potential, to building our homes, maintaining the safety of our cars, and helping us boost our confidence. So for us as an organisation, graduation is an incredibly rewarding time as we get to help our students celebrate and watch as they set out to make great happen,” he said.

“We congratulate all our Fraser Coast graduates who have studied with us this year, including the many who were unable to attend last night due to work and family commitments, and can’t wait to see where their journeys lead them.” 

The ceremony was a particularly proud moment for 19-year-old Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) graduate Jakeb Nicolaou, who was awarded the 2024 Fraser Coast Student of the Year for his dedication to his studies. Jakeb impressed the judging panel with his dedication and passion, with the determined teenager overcoming challenges with learning as a result of his neurodivergence—while supporting his family following his father’s diagnosis of early onset dementia—to excel at his studies.

Jakeb said he was pleasantly surprised by the win.

“I was shocked and like, ‘Oh that's me?!’. It was a great feeling to get up there and have my class genuinely happy and excited for me,” Jakeb said.

“The award means a heap to me knowing that the work I put in was recognised and the sleepless nights were worth it, but I don't think I deserve it anymore then the next person – we all put in the work,” he said.

‘It feels amazing to have graduated and I'm so proud of myself and the whole cohort."

Jakeb first enrolled when he was 15-years-old via the TAFE at School program, completing a Certificate II in Health Support Services (HLT23221) before continuing on to gain his Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (HLT33115). Now, at just 19-years-old, Jakeb is a qualified enrolled nurse, on the path to achieving his dream of becoming a theatre or emergency nurse.

“I think I'm just going to continue what I'm doing – keep nursing, work hard and take care of the people I love,” he said.  

The graduation ceremony was also a special occasion for individual support teacher Heather Stewart, who was awarded the 2024 Educator of the Year for the Fraser Coast. Nominated by her students, Heather said she was honoured by the acknowledgement.

“It is really an honour to receive this award; it inspires me recognise the value of our work here at TAFE Queensland, and the benefits we deliver to our community,” Heather said.

“I am so thankful to the students who nominated me – I feel very privileged to have played a small part of their life, and to have shared a nurturing learning environment with them.”