TAFE NSW Bega campus Trainee of the Year award winner Ruby Blacka is looking forward to a move to Wollongong next year as she begins her journey towards a dream career in law.
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There were deadlines I had to meet, but I felt independent, and I enjoyed the flexibility.
- Bega graduate Ruby Blacka
The 19-year-old completed her Certificate 3 Business Administration (Legal) online, and after last week’s graduation ceremony also walked away with the Lions Tathra – Col Ferguson Memorial Award.
“I really enjoyed the course and working at the same time, so it was good to get something for that,” Ms Blacka said.
Ms Blacka has spent the last year working with Clark Rideaux Solicitors in Bega, and will begin her undergraduate business course at the University of Wollongong next year with the hopes of switch and combine it with law via a double degree.
“I just seem to enjoy the work,” she said.
“I started working at reception, and in May I started doing legal assistance work like drafting wills and helping with estates.”
She said studying online was “an enjoyable challenge”.
“There were deadlines I had to meet, but I felt independent, and I enjoyed the flexibility,” she said.
“I’m excited to go to university and learn heaps, meet new people and live in a big place. I’ve lived in Bega my whole life.”
Kimone Haddon claimed the Campus Student of the Year award, Rhiannon Alcock the Campus Apprentice of the Year award, Joshua Green the Campus Aboriginal or Torres Strait Student of the Year award, and Lillian Hazelgrove the Campus TVET Student of the Year award.
Ms Haddon is the founder of the Bega Stroke Recovery Club, and completed a Certificate 3 in Individual Support.
The 52-year-old won this year’s Lions Club Bega – McBride Award.
“To see those students up on stage being cheered on by their family, friends and classmates is very special,” TAFE NSW regional general manager Kerry Penton said.
“For many of them, that involves making short-term personal sacrifices in the knowledge that the skills they learn at TAFE NSW will help them further their careers.
“The reality is that TAFE NSW graduates are more employable and have a higher employment rate than university graduates. They also earn higher wages.
“On behalf of TAFE NSW, I would like to acknowledge the personal achievement of all our graduates and wish them every success in future,” she said.
