Sunshine Coast students celebrate achievements in style

More than 200 students—graduating with qualifications in study areas ranging from nursing and cookery to cyber security and graphic design— and more than 500 of their nearest and dearest descended on Venue 114 on Thursday 12 December to mark the culmination of all their hard work, and the exciting beginning of their new careers.

TAFE Queensland General Manager for the East Coast region Mark Reilly said the ceremony was an opportunity for students who’d completed their studies in 2024 to acknowledge their accomplishments and celebrate their progression on the path to achieving their career goals. 

“Our students have invested a significant amount of time and effort into growing their skills and enhancing their career opportunities, and graduation is their chance to stop and reflect on how far they’ve come, celebrate the results of all their hard work, and look forward to achieving their career goals,” Mr Reilly said. 

“As the state’s largest and most trusted training provider, TAFE Queensland changes lives. We help our students to pursue vocations they are truly passionate about, and in turn, they make a vital contribution to the community – from caring for our most vulnerable in times of need and helping our children reach their full potential, to building our homes and maintaining the safety of our cars. So for us as an organisation, graduation is an incredibly rewarding time as we get to help our students celebrate and watch as they set out to make great happen,” he said.

“We congratulate all our Sunshine Coast graduates who have studied with us this year, including the many who were unable to attend the ceremony due to work and family commitments, and can’t wait to see where their journeys lead them.”  

The ceremony was a particularly proud moment for Diploma of Photography and Digital Imaging (CUA50920) graduate Jess O’Connor, who was awarded the 2024 Sunshine Coast Student of the Year for her dedication to her studies.

Jess said she was rendered speechless by the win.

“Graduating is such a surreal experience, and being named Student of the Year came as a complete surprise. I feel so proud and honoured to receive this recognition,” Jess said.

“I’m so grateful to my teachers, not only for nominating me, but for believing in me and supporting me throughout my studies. Without them, I don’t think I could have got this far,” she said.

“Having a young family has made it challenging to pursue my career path, but receiving this award was a transformative moment. It’s actually made me quite emotional, as I’m often doubting myself. This recognition reminded me to stop questioning my abilities and showed me that I am capable of achieving anything.”

A dedicated mother-of-two, Jess was working as a makeup artist for weddings when she found herself gravitating toward the photographers.

“I have some amazing photographer friends who inspired me, but I never imagined I’d have the chance to pursue it myself. When it became available under Fee Free TAFE, it was an incredible opportunity, and I feel so fortunate to have been able to take it,” Jess said.

Jess’s commitment to her studies is made all the more impressive by the fact that she regularly commuted from Brisbane to TAFE Queensland’s Nambour campus to complete her qualification. While it’s clear her hard work has already paid off—with the talented photographer having won several awards and published a book featuring her work—Jess said she’s still considering which direction she’ll take with her career. 

“I’ve only just officially made the move to the Sunshine Coast, but I know I want to work in the creative industries – whether that’s in photography or in a more gallery setting,” Jess said.

“But I would love to do something with my portraiture, and it would be incredible to see my work in the National Photographic Portrait Prize someday.” 

The graduation ceremony was also a special occasion for Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) teacher Peter Nolan, who was awarded the 2024 Educator of the Year for the Sunshine Coast. Nominated by his students at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute, Peter said he was honoured by the acknowledgement.

“I was really quite surprised; there were quite a few nominations and looking at their names, they were all worthy recipients,” Peter said.

“It’s a very humbling experience. I’ve been at TAFE Queensland for around 14 or 15 years, and to feel like you’ve had a positive impact or good impression on your students is incredibly rewarding,” he said.

“I’m lucky that I’m surrounded by a great team. But knowing my students made the effort to put me forward carries so much weight – after all, it’s the students we’re here for, so to get their recognition is very nice.”