Kym clocks half a century at TAFE Queensland

Clocking out for the final time, Kym reflects how she started as a bright-eyed 16-year-old fresh from her Certificate III in Office Education.

“TAFE Queensland took me from crayons to perfume, I started as a teenager and grew up there. It’s shaped not just my career, but who I am,” said Kym.

She’s been part of the organisation for a third of its entire 144-year history. Let that sink in.

In 1974, head office was perched atop Kangaroo Point in Brisbane. Women were required to retire at 55, men on their 60^th birthday. You called your colleagues Mr. and Mrs., and the fortnightly pay arrived in a yellow envelope delivered by trolley.

“I think I got $82 a fortnight,” Kym shared.

“There were no emails, no automation. We typed all the certificates by hand. No errors allowed. No erasers permitted. You just had to get it right.”

And she always did.

Kym’s career traversed almost every facet of the organisation, from Curriculum Branch (now One Product) to the opening of the iconic College of Tourism and Hospitality, now known as South Bank campus. She was there to welcome back chef teachers fresh from the Culinary Olympics, gold medals gleaming.

“That was a proud moment, seeing our educators recognised on the world stage,” she said.

Through the decades, Kym witnessed TAFE Queensland grow, evolve, merge and modernise. And like the best kind of changemaker, she moved with it.

In the last 20 years, she called the Gold Coast region home, bringing her wisdom and warmth to generations of students and staff.

The secret to 50 years? 

“It was never dull. It was always changing, always exciting. That’s what kept me there. I kept learning," she said. 

And learn she did - earning a Diploma, Cert IV and a long list of training qualifications along the way.

“Life has given me such wonderful opportunities,” Kym said.

“I’ve worked with amazing people, in an organisation that gave me space to grow. It was an absolute honour and privilege to spend my working life at TAFE Queensland.”

“It’s been a wild ride and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Her advice to the next generation of TAFE Queensland employees?

“It’s a great place to work. It’s full of acronyms - if you don’t know what something means, ask! There are so many staff with a wealth of knowledge and experience who are happy to share.”

“Embrace the learning opportunities - formal or informal. Don’t think, ‘I’m too busy for that, I’ve got real work to do.’ These are growth opportunities. They’re a gift,” she said.