SARAH Whitling likes to share her skills with young people starting out on their culinary journey.
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The Wodonga TAFE cookery/bakery teacher is keen to create opportunities for marginalised groups, especially Aboriginal, English as a second language groups and disadvantaged youth.
Last year she developed a practical and culturally-relevant method of training, leading to a Certificate II in Kitchen Operations for Aboriginal students.
“The highlight was building relationships with the Aboriginal community,” she said.
“We created the program last year and it’s continuing this year, which is great.
“We also included a high-profile Aboriginal chef to teach the students about their culture and native ingredients.
“This helped to create an environment of pride, and they used their new knowledge to create amazing, creative foods that they were very proud to share with their community.”
Ms Whitling was named as a finalist in the 2018 Victorian Training Awards Teacher/Trainer of the Year recently.
Wodonga TAFE is also a finalist in the 2018 Large Training Provider of the Year while TAFE student Christian Bashimbe is a finalist in Vocational Student of the Year.
Christian, 25, arrived on the Border in February 2017 with his mother and five siblings, who fled conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Since then he has dedicated himself to creating a better future for vulnerable groups.
In 2017 he gained a Victorian Multicultural Award for Excellence.
Wodonga TAFE chief executive Mark Dixon welcomed the recognition.
“It validates the work that we do every day as an education provider within our community and with industry,” he said.
“This success, and the fact that Wodonga TAFE is ranked number one in Victoria for student and employer satisfaction, is only possible because of the amazing people we have at Wodonga TAFE.
“Sarah Whitling is one example of the brilliant staff we have at Wodonga TAFE.
“Her commitment to building opportunities for her students in their education pathways along with forging new links with industry makes her a true role model.”
Mr Dixon said Christian’s journey was an amazing one of vision and passion.
“From fleeing a war-torn homeland in Africa to winning Wodonga TAFE Student of the Year 2017, and now be recognised as a finalist in the Victorian Training Awards, he has worked extremely hard to turn hardship into a drive to succeed,” he said.
The awards will be announced on August 24.
