Townsville teacher named Vocational Student of the Year

This year the TAFE Queensland Townsville (Pimlico) campus teacher proved that firsthand. After completing her Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121), Ronelle was named Vocational Student of the Year at the 2025 Queensland Training Awards North region finals. She will now represent North Queensland at the state finals on 13 September.

Winning, she says, still feels surreal.

“It was very special,” Ronelle said. “To be recognised like this is incredible, and it’s a chance to represent all of us mature age students too.”

Ronelle hopes that her story show others that it is never too late to learn.

“I want to use this opportunity to speak to the parents, the late bloomers, and those picking themselves up again after life changes,” she said. “It’s never too late. You can dust yourself off and start again.”

“I’m a big believer in lifelong learning. If people see me completing a diploma, maybe they’ll think, ‘If she can do it, I can too.’”

“Mature students bring a lot to the table. We have industry and life experience, we have a strong work ethic, we have character, we have so much to give.”

Heading to the state finals, Ronelle admits that the scale of the recognition hasn’t sunk in.

“Winning regionals was special because it was in my own backyard,” she said. “But states are another level. There are so many amazing people out there – it’s a bit mind-blowing.”

Outside her own studies, Ronelle has spent the past ten years teaching the Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (HLT33115) and Certificate II in Health Support Services (HLT23221) at TAFE Queensland’s Townsville (Pimlico) campus. For her, the best part of the job is inspiring others.

“I love motivating and encouraging people on their journey,” she said. “So many of my students don’t have anyone telling them they can do it. I get the privilege of being that person that says, ‘Walk through this door, let me show you a different way of learning, let me show you how you can succeed.’”

“The wins aren’t just about a piece of paper. It’s the student who was too nervous to talk to anyone at first, now presenting in front of a group. It’s the student who was terrified of computers, now using them everyday with ease. It’s the students who haven’t held a qualification or job before, start believing they can. Those are the successes I see.”

Ronelle says completing the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) has also changed how she teachers.

“Being back on the student side of the table has given me a whole new perspective,” she said. “It’s helped me reflect on my own practice and remind me what it feels like to be assessed, to be challenged, to step outside of my comfort zone. It’s made me a better teacher.”

For now, Ronelle is focused on representing North Queensland at the state finals – but she’s not done learning.

“I won’t dare say the word ‘study’ around my family for a little while,” she laughed. “They’ve lived through all the long nights with me. But once things settle, I’d love to build on my practical skills and work towards leadership and management down the track.”

Her message to others is simple: take the leap.

“If you’re someone who needs a second chance or a change of direction, give vocational education a try,” Ronelle said. “It really does lead to success. Look at me – I’m a mature age student that has so much to give. And I know I’m not the only one.”

With the Queensland Training Awards state finals just around the corner, Ronelle’s story is a reminder that VET changes lives – and it’s never too late to learn.