Standley stuns in 2022 VET awards
A love and passion for cooking is what inspires this year’s Vocational Education and Training award winner – Year 11 Balaklava High School student Ella Standley.
With a packed field of participants, this year’s awards highlighted the efforts of students across our region who have undertaken a VET course or Australian School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship.
Presenting to a judging panel comprised of Council’s Community Development Team and Balco Australia representatives – students have to describe their training and how it is helping them in their chosen career path.
The judges highlighted Ella’s work ethic, which has seen her excel in the commercial cooking space, where she has worked tirelessly to complete her certificate II in Kitchen Operations.
Completing her certificate by working in a commercial kitchen at the Mallala Hotel for placement – Ella left such an impression that she was later offered a part time role.
Ella is now a staple in the hotel’s kitchen, creating meal specials, helping to run the kitchen and at times running it on her own.
With so many great nominees this year, two runners-up were awarded with Jaden Brownlie, Balaklava High School and Maddison Hughes, Horizon Christian School sharing second place.
Two additional highly commended awards were also presented to Ezra Lockwood, Horizon Christian School and Bella Pratt, Balaklava High School.
Balco Australia continues to work alongside Council to recognise the outstanding students who have excelled in VET courses or School Based Apprenticeships – shining a light on the great things that can be achieved through these courses.
Mayor Reid presented the awards, highlighting the extra work and commitments the students had made while completing their courses.
“Each year these awards highlight the efforts of our vocational education students who often fly under the radar – it’s fantastic to be able to acknowledge their efforts and support their future progress,” Mayor Reid said.
Award recipients from the night:
Nominees
Ella Standley – Certificate II in Kitchen Operations
Jaden Brownlie – Certificate II in construction
Maddison Hughes – Certificate III in Animal Studies
Ezra Lockwood – Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology
Bell Pratt – Certificate III in Agriculture
Alice McArdle – Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Bethany Anderson – Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology
Brogan Page – Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
Emma Adams – Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology
Faith Battistessa – Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology
Violet Hegarty – Certificate II in Kitchen Operations
Winner
Ella Standley – Certificate II in Kitchen Operations
Runners up
Jaden Brownlie – Certificate II in construction
Maddison Hughes – Certificate III in Animal Studies
Highly commended
Ezra Lockwood – Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology
Bella Pratt – Certificate III in Agriculture