Kangan Institute awarded a rising First Nations leader and a passionate learner with cerebral palsy for their outstanding performances.
The outstanding students, who are from the Broadmeadows campus, were among 80 students recognised for their dedication to their studies.
Taylor Hampton, an acting external training program manager for Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, was awarded with Uncle Norm Hunter Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student of the year award.
“I am very proud of winning this award,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to go into leadership. It’s one of those big ambitions of mine.
Mr Hampton said the award win was a recognition of his commitment to gaining vital knowledge to develop his own leadership style and put what he learned into practice in the workplace.
“I really enjoyed the course, it was around becoming a leader and the components to that as well, like communicating, having difficult conversations, all those little things that I didn’t even think about,” he said.
Mr Hampton works on a new program to support parents and carers of Aboriginal children to embed culture in their homes. With his partner, Mr Hampton wrote a children’s book, Our Mob, to celebrate pride in practicing Aboriginal culture.
Feona Magtanum was awarded with outstanding passion award and student of the year: diploma of early childhood education and care award.
“I’m shocked to be nominated. It’s unreal, but it’s such an honour,” she said.
Despite having cerebral palsy, Ms Magtanum was determined to become an early childhood educator after gaining experience in a childcare centre during secondary school.
“As soon as I walked in and saw the children, I just knew straightaway that was what I wanted to do,” she said.
Ms Magtanum shared that the teachers of Kangan Institute are a key factor in her success in achieving her dream, as the teachers helped her navigate challenges such as fatigue and stress throughout her studies.
“They taught me a lot about their experience and how to overcome challenges,” she said. “They were very flexible with my study and had the support I needed. I feel like I owe them a lifetime.
“Everything I’ve learned here is exactly the expectations they have at placement. When I was at the centre I knew exactly what they needed me to do. I was very prepared for everything.
Now, Ms Magtanum has secured work as an early childhood educator and is set to begin in March.
Kangan chief executive Sally Curtain congratulated the students and reflected on the vital role of TAFE.
“Vocational education and training is absolutely critical right now. Government and industries are relying on TAFE to equip students with the in-demand skills of the future,” she said.
