We're delighted to introduce the 2021 winners of the inaugural TAFE SA Honour Awards! Eleven award winners were announced on Thursday 28 October by Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, at an exclusive ceremony at Government House.
From community leaders to hospitality entrepreneurs, mental health clinicians to educators, our eleven winners are creative, driven, and innovative, applying their knowledge and skills to make a difference to their industries and communities.
Winner: Kate Rawlins
Highly commended: Alice Sucha
The Future Industries Award went to in-demand set designer Kate Rawlins for her work on Australian and international films, including Hotel Mumbai and Mortal Kombat.
Pictured: Graeme Rawlins accepting the Future Industries Award on behalf of his daughter, Kate Rawlins, with Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia
Winner: Kobey Knight
Highly commended: Shannon Tapaya
Talented horticulturalist Kobey Knight, who works with the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, received the Rising Star Award.
Pictured: Rising Star Award winner Kobey Knight with Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia
Winner: Belinda Tilley and Kevin Kropinyeri
There were two winners in the Regional Trailblazer category, Belinda Tilley and Kevin Kropinyeri.
Belinda, of Mt Gambier, is the founder of I-Myself, a personal development program, and the ‘Herself’ Project, which trains community mentors and empowers women affected by domestic violence and disadvantage.
Kevin is the South Australian Business Development Manager for Outback Academy Australia, an Aboriginal-led, not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to drive game-changing approaches to Aboriginal business.
Pictured: Regional Trailblazer Award winner Belinda Tilley with Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia
Pictured: Uncle Frank Wanganeen accepting the Regional Trailblazer Award on behalf of Kevin Kropinyeri with Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia
Winner: Adele Nelson
Adele Nelson, a Community Patrol Team Leader in Pipalyatjara on the APY Lands, received the Community Contribution Award for her leadership and dedication to improving safety for children, youth, and other vulnerable people in her region.
Winner: Todd McAlister
Tradesman and business owner Todd McAlister was recognised for Creating Pathways of Excellence by training and supporting a diverse group of apprentices including adults changing careers, those with learning disabilities and others with limited English.
Pictured: Creating Pathways of Excellence Award winner Todd McAlister with Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia
Winner: Stewart Wesson
Highly commended: Shannon Hall
Adelaide chef, Stewart Wesson, was recognised with the Collaborative Partnerships Award. Stewart is the co-owner of several dining venues including Whistle and Flute and Part Time Lover and currently employs 200 people.
Pictured: Collaborative Partnerships Award winner Stewart Wesson with Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia
Joanna Muegge
Highly commended: Teagan Wallace
Joanna Muegge of Denture Elements was the recipient of the Excellence in Employment Award. In addition to running a business, she is an educator and volunteers in community outreach programs to provide dental services for vulnerable people.
Pictured: Excellence in Employment Award winner Joanna Muegge with Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia
Winner: Rehan Asghar Khan
The Outstanding International Alumni Award went to Rehan Asghar Khan, a mental health clinician based at Port Pirie. Rehan has been described as an integral and much-loved member of the local community.
Pictured: Outstanding International Alumni Award winner Rehan Asghar Khan with Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia
Winner: Omid Nikooeighamsari
A Resilience Award was presented to Omid Nikooeighamsari who arrived in Australia as a refugee with limited English skills and is now an administrator of Online Library, which is aiming to provide services to more than 10,000 members.
Pictured: Resilience Award winner Omid Nikooeighamsari with Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia
Winner: Melanie Tate
The Chief Executive Award was presented to Melanie Tate, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Puddle Jumpers, a charitable organisation providing services, camps, and activity days for vulnerable children and young people.
“Melanie’s organisation is having such a positive impact through a range of caring and supportive services, including a food assistance program which helps more than 1200 families each week,” TAFE SA Chief Executive David Coltman said.
Pictured: Chief Executive Award winner Melanie Tate with Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia
Finalists Adele Nelson, Marlene Burton, and Shannon Winima Tapaya were presented with their TAFE SA Honour Awards certificates on Wednesday 27 October in a special ceremony in the APY Lands. Adele won the Community Contribution Award, and Shannon was a highly-commended finalist in the Rising Star category. Congratulations to Adele, Marlene, and Shannon!
Pictured (L-R): Shannon Winima Tapaya, Mark Jackman, General Manager of Regional Anangu Services Aboriginal Corporation, Marlene Burton, and Adele Nelson.
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