SUCCESS FOR ECG WARRAGUL GRADUATES

ECG – (Education Centre Gippsland) has staged its biggest graduation ceremony in Warragul with more than 230 local people celebrating success.

The ceremony recognised graduates of ECG’s nationally accredited courses including aged care, community, children’s and disability services, as well as business, education, retail, hair, harness racing, horticulture, agriculture and arboriculture.

Chief Executive Bernadette O’Connor said ECG’s student numbers and the range of courses offered continued to grow to meet community and industry needs.

“In addition to those who are recognised at this awards presentation, a further 1,450 people undertook ECG courses during 2008 studying individual units from courses or short courses.”

The awards night also recognised 52 workplace trainees and apprentices who received qualifications that have enabled them to expand their job roles or pursue a new career.

Jenna Mentiplay received ECG’s ‘Outstanding Trainee Award’. Jenna completed a Certificate 3 in Business Administration while working as a workplace trainee in a Motor Mechanic environment. She worked through many barriers to receive her full qualification and is currently working at Coopers Accountants and Financial Planners in Warragul in a reception and administration role.

Ruth Eshuis received ECG’s ‘Outstanding Student of the Year Award’. Ruth completed a Certificate 3 in Education Special Needs demonstrating excellence in study despite experiencing personal difficulties.

Warragul’s Deepa Ramesh received ECG’s ‘Encouragement Award’. Deepa completed a Certificate 2 in Spoken and Written English and has progressed to study for her Certificate 3 in Children’s Services.

A new award was also announced to recognise the contribution of the late Brian Clarke to rural education in Gippsland. Arboriculture graduate Steven Swarbrick was announced as the inaugural recipient of the ECG Brian Clarke Award for Innovation in Rural Studies.

The ceremony also saw the first group of graduates of ECG’s new Certificate 2 in Hair with 25 graduates many of them having progressed to the Certificate 3 course or having found traineeships or apprenticeships. 

ECG CEO Ms O’Connor said she hoped ECG graduates would inspire others to see the benefits of life-long learning and the rewards of returning to study.

For more information on ECG visit www.ecg.vic.edu.au or phone 03 5623 6075.

L-R : ECG Graduate Awardees : Student of Year Ruth Eshuis, Trainee of the Year Karen Mentiplay,  Encouragement awardee Deepa Ramesh with ECG trainer Dianne Williams, CEO Bernadette O’Connor and ECG trainer Tanya Hayes.

ECG Graduates in Aged Care, Disability and Home and Community Care celebrate.

Student of the Year Ruth Eshuis receives a hug from mum Janice.

Diploma in Agriculture graduate Jillian Goudie receives a kiss from daughter Piper.

Media inquiries:

Bernadette O’Connor 5623 6075

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