Training Awards – 2011/2012 

The Rotary Club of Melbourne held its annual Training Awards day on the 28th of September 2011.  Each student was presented with a cheque for $1,000 and a club certificate of achievement.  All three spoke to the club about their personal training experiences and their future aspirations.  Traditionally, one student is given further recognition by being nominated for the “Frank Newman Award” this award recognises Club member Frank’s role in promoting and supporting apprenticeships and training nationally and is presented to the student the Vocational Services Committee considers the outstanding candidate.  Sadly, Frank who has always been available and pleased to present this award passed away in May of 2009.  A brief summary of the successful candidates follows:

Mervyn Fernando

(Community Recreation)

Mervyn Fernando came to Shepparton from the remote community of Kempsey in northern New South Wales seeking access to educational opportunities offered by the GOTAFE Indigenous Youth Mobility Program (IYMP).

Since arriving in the Goulburn Valley Mervyn has set about integrating into his new community, including participating in Rumbalara Football & Netball Club activities and becoming a spokesperson for the Indigenous Youth Mobility Program (IYMP).

In 2010 Mervyn was awarded the Academy of Sport, Health and Education (ASHE) Sportsperson of the Year and he has been recognised as the GOTAFE Koorie Education Centre Achievement Award, winner as part of his studies in the Certificate IV in Community Recreation.

Mervyn has enrolled in the Diploma of Community Services at GOTAFE with the aim of working in the youth justice system.

Tamarin Langley

(Civil Engineering Design)

Tamarin and her family emigrated from South Africa to Australia in January 2007.

She completed her Year 12 schooling with good results which led to a university entrance.  University, however, for financial reasons was not an option for her at the time.  A position was advertised for a Civil Engineering Design Trainee with the Mildura Rural City Council and she applied thinking that this would be a fantastic opportunity to learn and develop in an Engineering career which had been her passion since school.  

She started Traineeship with Sunraysia & Murray Group Training (SMGT) and was placed with Mildura Rural City Council (MRCC).  She was awarded SMGT trainee of the year award.  She enrolled in a Certificate IV Civil Engineering Design in 2010 through TAFE NSW, Leeton Campus.

She completed her Certificate IV in Civil Engineering and is currently undertaking a double Diploma: Civil Engineering and Project Management.

She believes she carry the torch for women to undertake work and study in the field of Engineering.

David Tien – Frank Newman Award

(Information Technology)

Forced to turn his back on a scholarship to RMIT, David Tien who had battled homelessness and poverty since Year 12, turned to Victoria University (VU) to help turn his life around.

Having already completed a Certificate III and Diploma in Information Technology at Victoria University, David is now tackling an Advanced Diploma in Network Security and Computer Systems Engineering.

Appointed VU’s IT support assistant through its Students as Staff program, David now has the experience and financial stability to pursue his career.  

While also studying, David began his casual work with Cash Converters and within 18 months he was managing the Footscray store.  Not only this, David also achieved High Distinctions in nearly all subjects.

David is a role model within his fellow student community and is a great person to have around.

Training Award Winner Mervyn Fernando Training Award Winner Tamarin Langley Training Award Winner and Frank Newman Award Recipient David Tien Training Award Winners with Club Hosts