Mudgee’s National Skills Week event was a little different to others held in the Central West. 

It coincided with the launch of the TAFE Western Sandy Smith Scholarship, sponsored by Mudgee Rotary Sunrise Club.

“Sandy Smith worked in the Foundation Skills section at Mudgee for several years but sadly passed away suddenly last year,” Mudgee Team Leader Samantha Cosgrove said.

“When the Rotary Sunrise Club approached us about setting up scholarships for students at Mudgee in Sandy’s honour, we thought it was a fitting way to give students assistance with tutorial support to help them complete their studies,” she said. 

Bathurst’s event on Wednesday saw a packed out Student Hub hear about how former TAFE Western student Stewart Sewell transformed his life from working in a ‘dead-end’ job and suffering from depression, to successfully forging his way in the business world.

“Stewart’s story was really inspiring and it was great so many people turned out to hear him speak about the obstacles he was able to overcome to achieve his goals,” Bathurst College Student Engagement Officer Angela Trevor-Jones said.

In Orange, emerging young chef Tom Grasso from Stepping Stone Restaurant in Orange addressed a large crowd made up of budding young chefs. He spoke about his every day practices, the challenges of being a chef and encouraged people to follow their dreams.

His address was followed by speeches from Alicia McDonnell (event management), Roy Finch (Relationships Australia), Rachael Buckerfield (TAFE Western careers counsellor), Skillset (apprenticeships) and Andrew Reynolds (Information Technology).

Parkes College’s Student Engagement Officer Sue Wood reported that their special morning tea on Tuesday was popular, while Dubbo College’s displays in the Student Hub created a lot of interest.