General News
13 March, 2026
TAFE celebrates 2025 graduates
SOUTH West TAFE celebrated its 2025 graduates and top students during a special ceremony at the Lighthouse Theatre last week.
Tuesday night’s ceremony saw almost 400 people celebrate and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of 80 graduating diploma students.
The students graduated from studies in accounting, beauty, business, community service, conservation and ecosystem management, early childhood education and care, leadership and management, and nursing.
The night also included the presentation of the 2025 Outstanding Student Awards, a Deakin University Award and an Industry Collaboration Award.
South West TAFE chief executive officer Mark Fidge said the awards night was a fantastic opportunity to recognise the students’ success.
“It was a great evening celebrating our students’ achievements and acknowledging the valuable partnerships we hadve throughout the region,” he said.
Award winners on the night included:
Apprentice of the Year - Darcy Hobbs (electrotechnology, Mortlake);
Trainee of the Year - Rhys Primrose (school-based education support, Terang);
School based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year - Bella Noonan, (beauty services, Horsham);
Vocational Student of the Year - Jenelle McColl (individual support, Warrnambool);
First Nations Student of the Year - Dion Morgan (conservation and ecosystem management, Warrnambool);
Deakin University Award - Erin Dixon (nursing, Warrnambool);
The 2025 Industry Collaboration Award - DemoDAIRY Foundation.
Mr Fidge said it was wonderful to hear so many graduating students following their passions and now employed in their chosen fields or going on to further study.
“It’s great that South West TAFE can play a part in changing people’s lives and leading them on to further study or employment,” he said.
