Media releases

Federation TAFE agricultural students were the cream of the crop at the 2023 Ballarat Rural Achiever Awards accounting for 15 of 22 nominations across seven award categories resulting in three winners and two runners-up.

The Awards run by the Ballarat Agricultural & Pastoral Society celebrate the achievements of local producers and rural workers across the region and were announced at a gala dinner for agricultural industry supporters on Friday 28 April, the first time the Awards have been held since 2017.

Federation TAFE Certificate IV in Agriculture student Jessica White was named the W&D Finance Agricultural Tertiary Student of the Year

Certificate III in Agriculture student, Nash Jones was awarded Peter Stevens Motorworld Ballarat & District Agricultural Apprentice of the Year while Emily Hicks, also studying a Certificate III in Agriculture was runner-up in the same category

Certificate II Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) student, Tyla Armeni was named the Ballarat Agricultural Society Rising Star

Rhys Pollock, also a Certificate II VETDSS student was named runner-up in the CVLX Agricultural Secondary Student of the Year category.

Prize money from $50 to $1,000 designed to further early careers in the rural sector was awarded.

To be eligible to enter the Awards nominees had to reside within 100 kilometres of the Ballarat CBD, be currently studying agriculture or working in the rural sector, be an agricultural apprentice, or own, manage or work within an agricultural business.

The Certificate II, Certificate III and Certificate IV in Agriculture programs are three of the Free TAFE pathway courses on offer at Federation TAFE.

Quote attributable to Federation TAFE Agricultural teacher, Chris Wright

“To have so many Federation TAFE students in the running for the Awards is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to agricultural training within the Ballarat region and beyond. The future of local agriculture is in safe hands.”

Quote attributable to W&D Finance Agricultural Tertiary Student of the Year recipient, Jessica White  

“To be named agricultural tertiary student of the year feels pretty good actually. I am proud and honoured. I’m currently working as a registered nurse, not in agriculture at all, but it’s always been a passion. I’d like to become an agronomist and improve my knowledge of maintaining soil health and environmental sustainability.”