Sunshine Coast teenager takes out top award

Graduating TAFE Queensland students from across the Sunshine Coast gathered at Venue 114 last week to mark the culmination of all their hard work, and the exciting next step in their careers.

The newly qualified graduates from study areas such as animal care, fashion, beauty, nursing, cookery, business, early childhood education and care, and more, represent a small cross-section of locals from across the region who completed training with the provider in 2025 with the goal of changing or enhancing their careers.

The ceremony was a particularly proud moment for 15-year-old Certificate II in Animal Care (ACM20121) graduate Phoenix Easton, who was presented with the 2025 Sunshine Coast Student of the Year Award for his dedication to his studies.

Phoenix said surprised but honoured to receive the acknowledgment.

“There were a lot of other people there, so to receive that recognition felt pretty great,” Phoenix said.

Driven by a deep compassion for animals, Phoenix completed his studies through the TAFE at Schools program at TAFE Queensland’s Nambour campus. Highly enthusiastic and genuinely passionate about his studies, Phoenix impressed his teacher and the judging panel with his dedication to advancing his skills and experience, with the teenager not only organising to complete work experience at Australia Zoo, but undertaking volunteer work in his free time.

“Growing up, I’ve always loved animals, going out in my own time to find injured animals and take them to Australia Zoo, and volunteering with them whenever I can,” Phoenix said.

“I’m really excited that I now have official documentation of my skills and the ability to help more,” he said.

“I still need to complete school , but once I do, I’m hoping to get a job at Australia Zoo while I do my Bachelor in Zoology, then work in conservation.”

The graduation ceremony was also a special occasion for Sunshine Coast Health Institute Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) teacher Ashleigh Holmes, who was recognised as the recipient of the 2025 Sunshine Coast Educator of the Year Award. Nominated by her students, Ashleigh said she was flattered by the acknowledgement.

“I was completely shocked. It was my first time attending graduation and I didn’t realise there was an educator award, let alone that my students had nominated me, so I was very happily surprised,” Ashleigh said.

“For me, receiving this award is a sign I’m doing something right and that I’m adding value to my students’ experience. It really energises me to continue what I’m doing. You can sometimes doubt yourself as a teacher, so to receive this award shows that my decisions and approach have paid off,” she said.

“But at the end of the day, it’s never really about us teachers. I always tell our students right from the start, ‘What you put into your studies and your career is exactly what you’ll get out of it’. Seeing all of them gowned up and celebrating is proof of that, and that’s something to be proud of.”

TAFE Queensland East Coast region General Manager, Mark Reilly said that while TAFE Queensland has been changing lives for more than 140 years, seeing students complete their studies and go on to achieve their goals never gets old.

“Our graduates have worked hard to get to this point, investing a significant amount of time in their studies, so it’s an absolute privilege to be able to celebrate this special moment alongside them,” Mark said.

“TAFE Queensland is committed to providing Queenslanders with the high quality, hands-on training they need to succeed in their chosen career while fulfilling the skills demands of the community, so for us there is no greater reward than seeing students, like Phoenix, head out into the world and contribute meaningfully to the community using their new skills.”

Mark said that as the region continues to grow, so too does the demand for skilled workers, making these graduates vital to the future of the region.

“Nine out of 10 jobs predicted to have the greatest growth over the next five years are likely to require a VET qualification, so by investing in their own futures and building their skills, these graduates are ensuring a bright future for the Sunshine Coast,” he said.