Training Awards - 2006/2007

Each August, the Rotary Club of Melbourne, sets aside one meeting to celebrate "Training Awards Day".  The Club's Training Awards are designed to reinforce the long association it has has had in promoting apprentices and supporting post compulsory education and training.

The Vocational Services Committee, on behalf of the Club selects up to four apprentices from those nominated to receive Victorian Training Awards for Outstanding Student of the Year.  The Club's selection of awardees is independent of the state awards and is normally held prior to the Victorian awards.

The Club awards a certificate of recognition and achievement and a cheque for $500.00.

One of the awardees is also named the Frank Newman Apprentice of the Year and receives a summary citation describing Rotarian Frank's outstanding involvement in apprenticeship training over many years.

Traditionally, the awardees are introduced to the Club, presented with their certificate and cheques by the President and Frank Newman and then are invited to address the Club briefly on their experiences as an apprentice and their future aspirations.

This year, the 2006/2007 Rotary Club of Melbourne Training Awardees were:

Hayley Rudland

Hayley completed her certificate in information technology this year at the Royal Childrens Hospital Education Institute.  Hayley also has a Diploma in Business Accounting and a Level 1 AFL coaching certificate where she is involved with the Richmond junior programme.  Hayley was a runner up at the Victorian Training Awards in the trainee category.

Ben Scoble

This year Ben completed his Certificate III in Horticulture (Nusery) with the Chisholm Institute.  He was awarded the Chisholm Institute outstanding Apprentice of the Year in 2005 and this year was a runner up in the Victorian Training Awards in the apprentice category.

Kevin Baker

Kevin has completed his Certificate III in Electrotechnology Systems at Victoria University and Certificate IV in motor control electrics.  He is currently working on an advanced Diploma in Eengineering.

Kevin recently won the prize as the outstanding apprentice student of the year at the Victorian Training Awards for 2006.

And we have chosen Kevin as the winner of the Frank Newman Award.  As members would know Frank Newman has served Rotary with distinction and has maintained a keen interest in apprenticeship and all forms of vocational training.  As a mark of the high regard in which Frank is held by this Club we have named one of these awards in his honour.

Training Awards Day is always popular and well attended by Club members.  The quality of the skills of the awardees together with their confidence and interesting presentations makes this day an annual highlight.