The gazette december 2013

December 2013Volume 4, No 10

Monthly Newsletter

TheGazette

One who says she has found her perfect job is Great Southern Grammar Education Assistant Lizy Renwick.Lizy was already employed

in the education system when, in 2010, she decided to gain a qualification.She enrolled in Certificate

III in Education Support at Great Southern Institute of Technology and followed

this with the Certificate IV.Having completed her

practical work placements at Parklands School and Great Southern Grammar, Lizy was delighted to be offered a position at the Grammar on completion of her study.A love of children and a

strong desire to support their learning in school were the Albany mother’s main motivators to working as an education assistant.“I didn’t want to study for

four years to become a teacher – the 12-month course at Great Southern Institute suited me,” Lizy said.

She recommends the course to others considering working with children, though she says tolerance, patience and a love of children are essential qualities for getting the most from the job.As for the training at GSIT,

Lizy said the lecturers were supportive and encouraging.“The course covered every

aspect of the work of an education assistant,” Lizy said.“The job is not just

filling paint pots and photocopying,” she explained.

Continued on page 5

Diversity welcome in the classroomSome of us are fortunate to work in our ideal job, gaining rewards and challenges in equal measure and looking forward to going to work each day.

Lizy Renwick.

Annual staff awards

Students show their sweet side

Christmas decorations competition

Page 3 Page 7 Pages 26-29

Great Southern Gazette 2

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Great Southern Institute of Technology has announced 14 scholarships of $500 each will be awarded in February to ease the cost of study for full-time students in Semester 1, 2014.The scholarships include two

sponsored by the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for students enrolled in accounting, business or information technology courses.Before closing its operation in 2010,

the Denmark Music Foundation pledged two annual scholarships, and these will be awarded in February for students of the Certificate IV in Music at the Denmark campus.In addition, 10 scholarships will be

funded by TAFE Directors Australia as part of the Mick Young Trust for students enrolled in any course at the institute.GSIT Managing Director Lidia

Rozlapa said all applications would be judged against a demonstration of

financial need rather than academic performance.“The funds must be used to offset the

cost of fees for the student’s course,” Ms Rozlapa said.“This is an excellent opportunity

for students to gain substantial help towards the cost of their studies,” she added.“The application process is

straightforward, and scholarship winners will be announced a few days after the closing date.”Application forms are available for

download from the institute’s website www.gsit.wa.edu.au and printed copies may be collected from the institute’s Student Services section at the Albany campus’s main reception area in L Block.All applications must be handed in

at the L Block reception before 10am on Monday 10 February, 2014 to be considered for the scholarships.

Scholarships ease the cost of study

www.gsinstitute.wa.edu.au

www.gsit.wa.edu.au


Staff awarded for excellenceSue Stokes, Anne Green, Anne Parker and Bev Baxter celebrate as winners of the Staff Awards for Excellence for 2013. The fifth winner, Robyn Wills, was absent.

Five staff were rewarded in the annual Staff Awards for Excellence, which were presented at the Christmas lunch at the Albany campus. Governing Council Chair

Scott Leary presented the awards in the teaching and non-teaching categories, for which 130 nominations were received.Two winners in the

Excellence in Non-Teaching category were Sue Stokes and Bev Baxter. In the Excellence in Teaching category, the winner of the Innovation in Teaching category was Clothing Production Lecturer Robyn Wills.Children’s Services

Lecturer Anne Parker took out the title in the Workforce Development in Teaching category, and Business Lecturer Anne Green won

the Leadership in Teaching category.Managing Director Lidia

Rozlapa congratulated all the nominees and winners.“As always, I am proud

and amazed at the quality of nominations and the outstanding achievements of many of our staff,” Lidia said.Scott also presented all

nominees with a certificate. Service awards marking

five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 year milestones were also presented.The staff award nominees were:

Excellence in Non-Teaching categoryRobyn AltusDaniel BaileyLeaya BaileyLeigh BarsbyBev Baxter

Ken ClarkBill CordonKristine DeutschmannGeoffrey DwyerSue DybingSam ElliottHayley FletcherLauchlan GillettCarolyn HeffernanNatasha HendersonJustin LaingJohn MaddisonTerri Michael and Jaime EattRick MullerAndrea NicholsonRaiko PaunicAnne PinchenSheridan PowellTanielle SherwoodSkills Development Centre and the Trades TeamSusan StokesYasmine WelshJoanne WicksJoanne Wicks, Elizabeth Bailey and Georgina Mellon

Continued on page 6


From the MD’s Desk

First, thank you to everyone for your contribution to another great year for our institute.It has been a challenging

year, but we have achieved some excellent results.AuditsWe have undergone two audits recently, and I thank you for the work you contributed to ensuring these went smoothly.The first was the Training

Accreditation Council (TAC) audit in October, and I am pleased to say the final paper submission has now gone to TAC.The more recent one was

conducted by the Office of the Auditor General, for which the auditor told me he had received great assistance from everyone at the institute and there were no issues with the financial audit.PortfoliosA review of the portfolios has been necessary following the announcement of Future Skills WA and the retirement of the Director of Training Services.Art, music and tourism

have been transferred to the Business and Creative Industries portfolio, and a new Teaching and Learning Portfolio has been created, to be managed by Justine Bradney. Justine’s responsibilities will include

the duties of co-chair of the academic board and management of principal lecturers, AQTF, audit, training and assessment qualifications, prisons, languages and VETiS.All portfolio managers

will become part of the executive management team (EMT) and the academic board.Directorate renamingThe Student Services division has been renamed Organisational Effectiveness, and the Student Services and Student Administration sections are now under the name of Student Support. Future Skills WAWe have received information that there will be a cap on student fees for 16-17-year-olds in 2014. The cap of $400 per year is for students born between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 1999, who are at least 15 years old and who undertake training that is not part of a VET in Schools program. The cap applies irrespective of the number of courses a student is enrolled in. We still await further information on these areas as the fees and charges have not yet been gazetted.ProfileWe have reached the magic figure of just under 102 per cent profile, which

includes an extra 7000 SCH for Aboriginal students to receive industrial training for working in the mines.Our overall achievement

this year has been exemplary.Financial targetsAfter the required efficiency dividend to be paid back to the government, we have come in under budget.This has been due to the

efforts of people in every section, combined with our commercial activities. I congratulate everyone on this excellent result.Christmas decorationsAs you walk around the institute, take time to view the amazing decorations which have been put up as part of the annual Christmas Decorations competition.We’ve also had lots of

activity on campus to inveigle money out of people in the name of charity.Business and Creative

Industries made us eat snags and cake last week as part of their bake sale and fete, and they have an impressive reindeer and sleigh display.The Skills Development

Centre’s gingerbread house with construction going on around it has turned a few heads in L Block reception.Santa falling down the

dunny is the theme in A Block, and the Teaching and Learning portfolio has popularised ‘selfie’ photos with its Christmas setting.Last year’s winner the

Trades office has produced a video featuring students in

Continued on page 5


From the MD’s Desk

From page 1“I support the children’s education, either

one-on-one or in groups, according to the teacher’s needs and instructions,” she said.“Education assistants can have different

levels of responsibility with the children, and I work in five classes with five teachers, so the variety is a big attraction for me.“It’s very satisfying working with children

and seeing them progress within the school system.”Education Support Lecturer Lisa Hassell

explained that, from next year, education assistants in kindergartens would be required to hold the Certificate III in Education Support. “You can work as an education assistant

with the Certificate III,” Lisa explained.“Certificate IV builds on that and students

learn about working with children with additional needs or disability,” she said.Lisa said the qualifications were attractive

not only to those who planned to work as education assistants.“Some try education support to see if

they want to progress to teaching,” Lisa explained.“It’s also ideal for mothers getting back

into the workforce, and those who want to work in schools while doing their teaching

qualification,” she said.“People say they enjoy the work because

every day is different,” Lisa said.For Lizy, a particular source of pride was

mentoring a student who was completing the Certificate III in Education Support through the Aboriginal Islander Education Officer (AIEO) program, and who has since found a position as an AIEO in an Albany school.“It was rewarding to see him develop, and

I learnt from the experience as well,” she said.Lizy’s plans for the future include further

studies and professional development to expand her skills for working with children with additional needs or disabilities. But for now, she is happily ensconced in

a job she loves, and grateful that she could gain her qualifications in Albany rather than move to Perth or study by correspondence.“Studying face-to-face with the lecturers

was the best way,” Lizy said.“I wouldn’t have done the course if I hadn’t

been able to do it at the institute.”For more information on education support

qualifications through Great Southern Institute of Technology, phone Lisa Hassell on 9892 8895 or Lizzie Bigwood on 9892 7506.

From page 4 every section getting into the Christmas spirit to the song Twelve Days of Christmas.The winner was the Skills

Development Centre with an incredible creation.It’s wonderful to see

various worthwhile causes will all be winners, though, and I’m delighted to see $1854.50 was collected for

charity – plus $50 put in by the institute to a charity of the winning team’s choice.Chief judge Carolyn

Heffernan tells me bribery and corruption to the judges were encouraged, and I can confirm this is the only time it’s alright to veer from public sector standards!Once again, I thank you for

your work this year. I send season’s greetings to you all, and I wish you all the best for a safe and happy Christmas holiday.

I look forward to seeing many of you straight after the break, when the institute reopens on 6 January, and most lecturing staff in February, ready for the start of the academic year.Come back refreshed and

ready to tackle one of the most challenging years we have ever had to face.But remember – when the

going gets tough, the tough get going!Cheers,Lidia

Diversity welcome in the classroom


Staff awarded for excellenceFrom page 3Innovation in TeachingLeaya BaileyMarilyn ConnellRod ConnellJoshua CunninghamChristina DebellisSarah ElliottLeah GoodremAnne GreenWilliam Griffiths and Christina PennJill GroganChristine GrovesMark HackletonTony KingBeth KirklandSara LemboSimon London and Paula FoenanderTerry Madden and Max MichaelPhyllis ManciniChristopher MazzalliLynne ScrimgeourAlison SharpeAlison Sharpe and Sarah ElliottWarren SlossMark Tupman

Susheela WeissMark WellerDonna WhiteRobyn WillsPeter Young

Leadership in TeachingLeaya BaileyLizzie BigwoodGarry ChristiansenMarilyn ConnellChristina DebellisSarah ElliottCathy GlenLeah GoodremAnne GreenGillian HazelLouise HillmanTony KingBeth KirklandPhyllis ManciniRuth McLeanBen MitchellMark RandallLynne ScrimgeourAlison SharpeAlison Sharpe and Sarah ElliottMichelle SmithMark Tupman

Susheela WeissRobyn WillsCarol WolfePeter Young

Workforce Development in TeachingGarry ChristiansenMarilyn ConnellChristina DebellisSarah ElliottRon GreyLouise HillmanTony KingMichael Korn and Aaron St JackPhyllis ManciniBen MitchellAndrew NicholsonAnne ParkerMark RandallJay RowlesAlison SharpeAlison Sharpe and Sarah ElliottGary WimbushPeter Young

For five years of service:Noeline AndersonAngela EdwardsBarry EvansJodi Remaj Karen RobinsonDianne FranzinelliCarolyn HeffernanLeah GoodremRobyn AltusDani Samwell

Anita VerazziCathy GlenRobin ThomsonDebbie WilliamsFor 10 years of service:Christina PennJo WicksTony KingFor 15 years of service:Anne GreenDennis BlewittRobyn Wills

Jodie WatkinsNatasha HendersonFor 20 years of service:Paula PattinsonLindsay SercombeLillian WhitmarshFor 25 years of service:Leigh BarsbyFor 30 years of service:Jim Bolger

Service recognition certificates


Combining a unit of study with an activity to benefit the community brought sweet satisfaction for a group of Great Southern Institute of Technology students.As part of their studies for

Certificate III in Business, the students chose to hold a bake sale for their assessment in the unit ‘Promote innovation in a team environment’.The nine students each

made at least one batch of cakes, slices or biscuits for sale at the institute, with proceeds going to the Albany Hospice.Icing, chocolate, sprinkles

and sugar attracted staff and students from all over the Albany campus, who made a beeline to the stall, set up in a gazebo on the grass

outside D Block.Taking a break from serving

cakes to a long line of sweet-toothed customers for morning tea, Tobi Halsall said the students had enjoyed working together to organise and run the event.

“We didn’t know each other at the start of the course, but we’ve had a lot of fun

working on this project together,” Tobi said.Business Lecturer Leaya

Bailey said the students had worked well as a team to complete the unit, and had shown enthusiasm for the bake sale project.She explained that the

students had placed collection tins for donations in local businesses and at the campus on that morning, which had boosted the coffers.The various aspects

of the project not only demonstrated the students’ innovation, it raised a total of $540, which they added to the Business and Creative Industries’ Christmas charity funds and the hospice received nearly $800 from the portfolio.

Students Mikaela Smeathers and Janna Kleszewski sell their cakes.

Portfolio Manager Lee-Anne Smith buys morning tea from Tobi Halsall.

Students show their sweet side


Kadadjiny Noongar Moort

Finding employment on mine sites is an attractive proposition for many workers, but having the necessary training is essential to be in the running for jobs.To be competitive in the

job market with mining companies, a group of Aboriginal people have completed short industrial training courses in machinery operation through Great Southern Institute of Technology’s Skills Development Centre.The training was achieved

with 7000 student contact hours granted by the Department of Training and Workforce Development specifically for this course.The students have gained

units of competency which can be used towards the qualification Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations.Now holding tickets for the

operation of excavators, front-end loaders, dozers and graders, the group have valuable skills and an understanding of the safety requirements for carrying out the job.Under the direction of

Industrial Skills Lecturer Howard Randall, the eight people divided into two groups of four for the practical sessions. Howard explained this ensured each participant had a good length of time to learn the

skills and practice.On the day when the

students were learning to operate the dozer, Student Cody Bennell said it had been easier to pick up than he had expected.“It was daunting at first, but

once you get in and start using it, it’s easy,” Cody said.“You learn to steer it and

operate the bucket pretty quickly,” he added.Cody said he had enjoyed

the course, which had started with a day in the classroom learning about safety and the theory necessary for the operation of the equipment before getting behind the wheel.“The ticket should help me

to get a job on the mines up north,” he said.

“It’s good to have the opportunity to do it, and it’s another ticket I didn’t have before.”For Laurence Williams, the

course had given him the confidence to operate the machinery and opens doors to jobs, he said.“I’ve done the front-end

loader and now I’m having a go with the dozer,” Laurence said.“I try to get any experience,

and this has been easier than I thought,” he said.Howard said the group had

been a pleasure to teach.“They’re courteous and

friendly, and they’ve been enthusiastic about learning,” Howard said.“Because they’re keen,

they’ve picked it up very quickly,” he said.

Eager group to mine benefits of training

Industrial Skills Lecturer Howard Randall instructs Laurence Williams and Bradley Farmer in the operation of the dozer.

More photographs on the next page


Samantha Krakouer and Audrey Krakouer take a break from operating the grader.

Aaron Bolt learns the finer points of operating the grader.

Samantha Krakouer gets instruction on the excavator.

Travis Williams in the cab of the excavator.


Keeping abreast of the latest developments and best practice in industry is a primary aim of Great Southern Institute of Technology lecturers and program coordinators. Students enrolling in courses can be confident they are receiving up-to-

date training to industry standards, and employers can expect a level of competence from those trained on our campuses.All lecturers are encouraged to participate in industry consultation

and attend seminars and conferences, and portfolio budgets allow for professional and career development opportunities.The Gazette’s series of articles featuring staff committed to providing

cutting-edge training continues this month with the focus on Language, Literacy and Numeracy Lecturers Will Griffiths, Lucy Wellstead and Christina Penn, who are undertaking postgraduate studies.

Helping people to improve their levels of literacy and numeracy builds confidence as well as skills and equips them to tackle higher levels of training or enter the workforce.For Great Southern

Institute of Technology Language, Literacy and Numeracy Lecturers Lucy Wellstead, Will Griffiths and Christina Penn, bringing modern practice to the classroom and helping students to reach their potential are achieved through their own professional development and study.All three lecturers are

undertaking part-time external studies for the

Vocational Graduate Diploma in Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice, which they started this year.Lucy, who is studying

through Charles Darwin University in the Northern Territory, explained they had phone and email contact with lecturers and accessed materials online.A former secondary

science teacher, Lucy said she was finding the course

fascinating, and useful for knowledge which was specific to her job.She expects her students

to benefit as a result of her own learning, with research and empirical evidence supporting the knowledge she takes back to the classroom.Lucy’s professional

development is not restricted to the university study.

Continued on page 11

High-level study for teaching the basics

Lecturers Lucy Wellstead, Will Griffiths and Christina Penn are taking post-graduate studies.


Remote access functionality is now available to all staff.This means that, in addition to your

email, you will be able to access network resources such as G, H and T drives, applications and intranet when you’re away from the campus. The staff link on the

website has all the information you need to connect to a remote desktop.If you have any issues, email IT.Support@

gsit.wa.edu.au. But if you experience issues when adding your mobile number, please restart your PC and try again before submitting a ticket.

From page 10“I have been fortunate to

have access to the Teach Me Grammar intensive professional development over the past 12 months, and I do other PD when I can,” Lucy said.She said she appreciated

the institute’s financial support and provision of study leave to facilitate her learning.“The institute contributes a

proportion of the tuition fees, which shows my employers value it as well,” she added.Will and Christina echoed

Lucy’s appreciation of the support they receive from Great Southern Institute as their employer.Christina, who is also

studying through Charles Darwin University, said this professional development was important because it helped her build on the experience, knowledge and skills she gained from the job.“It extends you and makes

you reflect on why you do what you do,” Christina said.“You can look into things

more deeply and it gives you fresh ideas and new ways of thinking,” she added.For Christina, professional

development in a specialised field such as language, literacy and numeracy is hard to find.“With this qualification,

I have access to ideas I wouldn’t have access to locally,” she said.“It benefits students if the

lecturers are up to date, trying things out, being energised and creative,” she said.Though she expects to

tick off some of her units through Recognition of Prior Learning, Christina said she had a lot to gain from doing the study, and she was enjoying her course.While his colleagues chose

to study with one university, Will chose to take the same qualification through Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne.“I chose a different uni

because I wanted to compare it [to Charles Darwin] and try out the field,” Will said.He explained he had

chosen to take the post-graduate studies to broaden his professional knowledge of teaching and ensure currency of ideas and teaching methods.“I’m the numeracy

specialist here, so finding out more about literacy and language has been good for me personally,” Will said.“By doing this study, it

will enhance my delivery of courses to students,” he said.He said the lessons

he conducted were more engaging as he learnt different teaching philosophies, techniques and strategies to be used with adults.“Hopefully the classroom

activities will be more relevant and it will ensure students achieve their personal objectives,” he said.Will said professional

development was important as long-term teachers were in danger of becoming stale and participation in courses helped them to progress and develop. The personal rewards of

study are also satisfying for Will.“For me, because I’m

the only one teaching numeracy, it’s the only time I get to engage with people outside a small sphere for exchanging ideas and discussions,” Will said.All three lecturers expect

to finish their qualification within two years.

Study for teaching the basics

Switch on to your files and email from afar

mailto:it.support%40gsit.wa.edu.au?subject=Re%3A%20Remote%20Access

mailto:it.support%40gsit.wa.edu.au?subject=Re%3A%20Remote%20Access


Right: Lidia Rozlapa presents

the Guinot Student of the Year award

to Nicole Meads.

Left: Dermalogica Student of the Year Kelly Laudehr receives her award from Managing Director Lidia Rozlapa.

Celebrating on the last day of Beauty Therapy for the year were (left to right): Erin Binstead, Cindy Shen, Tammy Bemben, Tamara Longmore, Aimee Ingersen, Nicole Meads, Beauty Therapy Lecturer Alison Sharpe, Bela Montgomery-Smith, Bonnie Ralph, Marnee Halleen, Kellee Brennan, Kelly Laudehr and Rhea Hickson.

Glowing praise at award ceremony

The Beauty Therapy students gathered for a Christmas celebration which included the presentation of certificates for outstanding achievements in 2013.Addressing the students,

Managing Director Lidia Rozlapa said she had enjoyed many sessions with them throughout the year,

and thanked them for their services.She paid tribute to lecturers

Alison Sharpe and Sarah Elliot, who had nurtured the group during the year, and whose commitment and industry knowledge had resulted in a high qualification rate.Certificates from supporting

product companies Dermalogica and Guinot were followed by special achievement awards from the institute.Following the ceremony,

the lively group enjoyed morning tea together for the last time before leaving to pursue careers in this exciting area.


Tamara Longmore received a Special Award for Commitment and Endeavour.

Aimee Ingersen was named Dermalogica Retail Student of the Year.

A Special Achievement Award went to Cindy Shen, who learnt English while studying for her diploma.

Access All Areaswith Wendy Macliver

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations-sanctioned day which aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and wellbeing. This year, IDPwD was held on 3 December.The 2013 National

Disability Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals, teams and organisations which have improved the lives of people with disability. Visit the website http://www.idpwd.com.au/awards/2013-award-recipients/Take a look at the ABC

Ramp Up site where you find stories, interviews and videos about disability. Visithttp://www.abc.net.au/

rampup/.

Institute joins in national celebration

To raise the profile of services available for people with disability, an expo was held in York Street, Albany, during Disability Awareness Week.Great Southern Institute of Technology Disability Liaison

Officer Wendy Macliver and Clothing Production Lecturer Robyn Wills represented the institute to distribute information and advocate training opportunities and facilities for people with disability.The pair took the opportunity to display – and sell – a

range of items manufactured by students with disability in the clothing production workshop as part of their Busy Bee Creations program.

http://www.idpwd.com.au/awards/2013-award-recipients/



http://www.abc.net.au/rampup/

http://www.abc.net.au/rampup/


Exploring various art and craft media during Semester 2 was a voyage of discovery for a group of students with disability, the culmination of which was a public exhibition of their work during Disability Awareness Week.The ‘Learning Through Practice’ unit was

part of the students’ Gaining Access to Training and Employment (GATE) program, delivered at Great Southern Institute of Technology’s Katanning campus.Under the leadership of Visual Arts

Lecturer Tara Ball, the group worked in a variety of media every Friday morning during Semester 2. They produced collages, mosaics, clay

faces, masks, baked salt dough figurines, cushions, and decorated photo frames and pallets.The Katanning Art Gallery made a fine

venue for the exhibition, which was officially opened by Katanning Shire President Alan McFarland and drew a steady stream of visitors all week.Two collaborative pieces which drew much

admiration were a mosaic coffee table featuring various aspects of Australian rural life and a wall-hanging titled ‘Inspiration’, created from recycled timber and fencing wire, and woven with materials including fabrics, grasses, reeds, raw wool and even a piece of lizard skin.Tara explained the group of seven students

had learnt many new techniques such as painting, collage, graffiti art, mosaics, screen printing, stitching and papier maché, which they had used imaginatively.She had been impressed with the students’

enthusiasm for the program, their creativity and their teamwork, Tara said.

Crafty crew show their creativity

Colourful mosaic slabs. Decorated photo frames.

April Bessell’s collage sparkled with gemstones.

Pallets formed the base for some imaginative decoration.


‘Inspiration’ – a wall hanging in a variety of media was a collaborative work.

A table top mosaic depicting rural life was another collaborative work which drew much admiration.

Portraits – a collage of materials on fabric.

William Gonzales with his cushion. Brenden Tanner shows off his collage.


For a group of Year 9 students from local high schools, a three-day ‘Try a Trade’ course gave them a taste of carpentry, bricklaying and plumbing.TryTech coordinator Rod Connell offered

the short course for the students to try their hand at the three trades.On day one in the carpentry and joinery

workshop, the group constructed timber stud framing, measuring, sawing and nailing their timber to create the stud walls.These were then used on day two for the

bricklaying course, for which the group mixed mortar and laid bricks, using trowels and spirit levels for good results.In the plumbing workshop on day three,

the students learnt techniques for joining copper pipes and the correct use of soldering equipment.As in all trades, safety was a major

concern, so students received sound instruction on correct procedures for maintaining a safe workplace and the importance of personal protection and responsible behaviour.For Tom Sutherland of Albany Senior High

School, learning the trades was a good experience, even though he is leaning toward a career as a mechanic when he leaves school.“It’s been useful learning how to do the

basics and find out what’s involved,” Tom said.Jayden Smith and Liam Higgins of Great

Southern Grammar worked together to build a wall during day two. Liam kept up a steady pace mixing the mortar with a shovel while Jayden laid the bricks.Jayden said he was looking at

apprenticeships but was unsure which path he would take on leaving school.“I came here to see the possibilities,

and I’ve enjoyed it – I’ve been able to try different things out,” Jayden said.Mixing mortar in a cement mixer was

keeping fellow Great Southern Grammar student Henry Gillam busy, though he needed all his concentration while tipping

the mortar into a wheelbarrow.“I’ve loved the course, the bricklaying, the

framing and I’m looking forward to having a go at plumbing,” Henry said.“I’m considering a trade and this has been

good experience trying different skills,” he added.On the third day in the plumbing workshop,

Scott Pasutti of North Albany Senior High School was learning the basics of soldering.“It’s all new stuff I’ve been learning and I’m

enjoying it all,” Scott said.“I plan to stay at school next year, then

maybe move on to TAFE,” he said.“I might do engineering or automotive.”Rod said the students had been

enthusiastic about trying the trades, and shown aptitude for the skills they had learnt.

School’s out for trade tasters

Tom Sutherland of Albany Senior High School uses the framing he made in carpentry and joinery class when building his brick wall.

More pictures on the next page


Need stationery?Visit the GSIT bookshop first!

Left: Liam Higgins and Jayden Smith of Great Southern Grammar worked together to build a brick wall.

Below left: Henry Gillam of Great Southern Grammar pours mortar from a concrete mixer.

Below: Scott Pasutti of North Albany Senior High School solders a piece of copper piping in the plumbing workshop.


Busy year for trying out skillsAs part of Great Southern Institute of Technology’s Try Tech program, Year 10 high school students learn a variety of trade skills for one day a week and attend school on the other four days.

The hands-on approach allows the students to explore trades and industries including building and construction, welding, plaster-boarding, tiling, cabinetmaking, plumbing, bricklaying, fitting and

turning, automotive and horticulture.Try Tech Coordinator Rod

Connell encouraged the students to document their experiences over the year. The following are excerpts from some of their stories.

This year in TAFE we have done lots of fun things but the best one was the brickwork. I like how we worked as a team and I would like to come back next year and do TAFE because I like everything about it. The people are nice and friendly and Rod was nice, he helped me get my white card so now I have knowledge of what hazards are in the workplace.On the first day at TAFE we did a test to get our white cards so that would let us go on a construction site. This year at TAFE was a pretty good time and I wish to come back next year and do an apprenticeship.

Brenner Douglas

The first thing we did was woodwork, we made a joint out of pine and it was fun. We also put wooden stakes in the ground and marked out areas with them. After that we did some levelling with the laser levels. We did some bricklaying and made the mortar to make the walls and that was cool.We moved on to tiling and that was

alright but I was not very good at it. Then we moved on to plumbing and

made small-scale pipeline and that was alright. We used copper tubing to make them. Then cooking, it was awesome we made

great food and it was lots of fun. We ate what we made for lunch, it was very good.Overall I had a good time here at TAFE

and have learnt lots of new skills I can use in the workplace.

Rylee Vulich


Josh Veerappan This year at TAFE we did a lot of different skills for later in life. We did such cool stuff at TAFE like plumbing, carpentry, bricklaying, cabinetmaking, agriculture, chain saw, mechanic and other sweet stuff. The thing I enjoyed most was mechanics. If I had another chance to get in to Try Tech I would take the chance because it is very good and it is one more step into life.

Morgan Lindberg and Cameron PulsMorgan: Through the Try Tech course, we have completed work in a range of trades including carpentry, plumbing, horticulture, forestry and hospitality. I have also attained construction verification during the term, which has proved useful since.The courses educated

me in a range of different careers available through the Great Southern Institute of Technology, and other firms and companies open to training young workers.The program has

influenced me to apply for a pre-apprenticeship next year through the TAFE program. If all goes to plan, I will be pursuing a trade as a plumber over the next few years. I’ve had a couple of incidents, including two trips to hospital. But at the end of

the year, Try Tech has been a great program to attend, and had a large influence on my choices in the trade.

Cameron: The thing I enjoyed most was the bricklaying, because I have done it before and I am

good at it. This has been good experience and a good opportunity to learn skills and get to know everyone better. These skills will help

me in the future when it comes time to get an apprenticeship.

We did bricklaying, carpentry – we made all sorts of different joints. In tiling, we made mosaics on the brick wall we made. Cooking with Mark the lecturer dude – he’s really fun, maybe the best we had. We cooked for two Fridays the best would be the vanilla yogurt jelly slop thing.We did aquaculture, agriculture, plumbing,

automotive, painting, Gyprocking and more. We did these trades for a couple or so weeks then changed to a different trade. We had many great days.

Travis Rule


Six students who graduated as Registered Nurses celebrated the completion of their degree with family and friends last week.A graduate celebration was

held at Great Southern Institute of Technology, which delivers the BSc (Nursing) through Curtin University.Representing Curtin

University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery was Anna Bosco, who travelled from Perth for the evening.Addressing the gathering,

Managing Director Lidia Rozlapa said being able to offer a qualification at the degree level in the region was an impressive feat which would not have been possible without the commitment a number of lecturers and health industry supporters for student work placements and training.“Our partnership with Curtin

University has allowed us to provide this qualification in an industry that is in dire need of skilled nurses,” Lidia said.She commended the students

on their hard work over 3½ years, and wished them the best for their future as they set off on their postgraduate year in the workforce.

Degree of satisfaction for new nurses

Claire Goodall, Catherine Attwell and Anna Bosco.

Donna Blight, Janine Watts and Judy Exton.

Karen Martschinke and Jane Taylor.Sophie, Graeme and Jackson Laughton.


Graduates are: (back row) Allison Laughton, Paul Exton and Portia van Baaren (front row) Rachel C Goodall, Rachel M Goodall and Fiona McGuire.

Above left: Sharon Kennedy and Sharon Chapman.

Above: Clare Evans, Paul Exton and Joyce Pyle.

Left: Christian Franken and Grace Laughton.


Buone Feste NatalizieItalian Lecturer Sara Lembo’s students celebrated their last session of the year with a Christmas party in the institute café.The students, of

Certificates II and III in Italian, dressed in red and green and shared a tempting selection of Italian food, which they had made from Italian recipes.After enjoying their

Christmas repast, the group sang their well-rehearsed ‘Astro Del Ciel’ – Silent Night in Italian.

Wasyl Antoniak with (seated) Jules Whalley, Sebina Wyatt and Margaret Birch.

Barbara Marquand, Judy Maughan and Catherine Cuthbert.

Jennifer Carson, Ailsa Rutherford, Lee Hamilton and Noreen Jones.


HR NewsWith Paula Pattinson

Email [email protected]

Do you have an idea for an article in The Gazette?

Check out what’s happening at

Your Regional TAFE

Everything seems to be winding down for the year now. I think we’re all looking forward to enjoying Christmas with our friends and families after such a busy year.

Positions Advertised• Principal Lecturer AQTF and Professional Development – successful applicant was Ruth McLean• Customer Service Officers (job share) – interviews completed, appeal period closing 17 December• Lecturer Hairdressing – applications close 3 JanuaryCongratulations to Ruth McLean on your promotion. Staff exiting• Gary Wimbush, Lecturer Metal Fabrication, ceased 6 December• Catherine Gong, Hospitality Technician, ceasing 19 December • Beth Kirkland, ASL2 Visual Arts Lecturer, ceasing 19 December• Barry Jordan, Lecturer Environment and Primary Industries Business Development, ceasing 19 December• Paul Trainer, E-Learning Curriculum Officer, ceasing 31 December• Larry Blight, Lecturer Rural Operations (Aboriginal), ceasing 31 December• Margaret Jones, Aboriginal Programs Assistant, ceasing 7 January

Many thanks and all the very best wishes to those leaving the college. HR staff would like to wish everyone a very happy, safe and merry Christmas and New Year.

mailto:marketing%40gsinstitute.wa.edu.au?subject=marketing%40gsinstitute.wa.edu.au

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Southern-Institute-of-Technology/339725456121086


Staff farewell Beth

Managing Director Lidia Rozlapa presents Beth Kirkland with a certificate in recognition of her 18 years of service.

Colleagues and friends of Visual Arts Lecturer Beth Kirkland recently gathered to wish her well as she leaves the institute this week.Managing Director Lidia Rozlapa

presented Beth with a certificate in recognition of her 18 years of service, and detailed her time at the institute.Beth joined in 1995, having worked in

the Public Service since 1986, when she was employed as a temporary lecturer in Education Development at the Technical Extension Service in Perth.On transferring to the Great

Southern Regional College of TAFE (as we were known then), she took up a lecturing position in the social sciences portfolio, teaching in the child care, community services, general education, fitness and Aboriginal studies areas. She has been teaching visual arts since 2004.Lidia said Beth’s personal and

professional accomplishments were many.“The high esteem in which she is

held by her peers in the fields of art and education is clear,” Lidia said.Beth has wide experience of teaching

and research in the education field, and has also been a weaver, banjo player, a runner and a member of the WA Marathon Club.But she will probably be remembered

most for the impression she has made in the field of visual art.As a visiting artist, she has travelled

to Sydney and Toronto. Beth has also exhibited her art in numerous solo and group exhibitions, and has been named a finalist in the City of Albany Art Prize three times. The last time was in 2012, when her work was also highly commended.

Lidia said Beth had served on several industry groups and placed great importance on currency of practice.“Her rapport with her students and

her flexible approach in the classroom have allowed students to flourish and achieve their potential while gaining confidence and developing their skills,” Lidia said“Beth’s support of her students and

other teaching staff has demonstrated her professionalism and she is well respected by her students, her colleagues and her peers in the arts arena,” she added.Beth will leave in January to spend

four or five months as a visiting artist at Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts in Toronto.Following the presentation of

the certificate and a gift from her colleagues, Beth joined the gathering for morning tea.


This column courtesy of Great Southern Population Health. For more information, phone 9842 7500 (Albany) or 9821 6287 (Katanning).

Plan to take stress out of Christmas

Christmas is a great time for fun and celebrations with family and friends, but it can also occasionally be a bit stressful. A little planning ahead for the festive

season may help. Try to do the Christmas shopping as early as possible, delegate tasks such as the preparation of Christmas dinner or some of the jobs on your festive ‘to do’ list so that responsibilities are shared, or organise a Secret Santa with family to ease the financial burden. It can be easy to over-commit, so don’t

forget to take a break and take some time out to do things you enjoy. Pace yourself

and make sure you’re still getting enough sleep, eating healthily and being physically active.Something which can often exacerbate

stress at Christmas time is over-indulgence – and this can be over-indulgence of food and alcohol. Keeping alcohol consumption to a minimum can help reduce this stress, and having alcohol-free options will also help everyone stay hydrated during the hot summer months. This quick and easy pine-berry frappé

recipe makes for a perfect refreshing summer drink.

PINE-BERRY FRAPPE

Preparation time: 5 minutesServes 2

Ingredients2 cups ice½ punnet strawberries, (125g) hulled½ cup pineapple pieces canned in natural juice (fruit and juice)½ cup no-added-sugar apple and cranberry juice, chilled8 mint leaves plus extra, to serve1 cup crushed ice extra, to serve

Method• Place ice, strawberries, pineapple, juices

and mint into a blender jug; blend until smooth.

• Divide extra crushed ice between two glasses, pour over juice.

• Garnish with mint leaves and serve immediately.

VariationTry a combination of different unsweetened juices blended with fresh and frozen fruits including raspberries, blueberries, mango, canned or peeled fresh peach and watermelon.

LiveLighter © State of Western Australia 2013. Reproduced with permission.For more summer drinks recipes see www.livelighter.com.au.

Act-Belong-Commit has tips and ideas on staying mentally healthy, particularly around Christmas. Visit www.actbelongcommit.org.au.

www.livelighter.com.au

www.livelighter.com.au

www.actbelongcommit.org.au


It seems Santa and all his elves brought good fortune to the institute’s annual Christmas Decoration competition this year, as the level of innovation, novelty and gaudiness soared to new heights.For the best of reasons – namely good

fun and charity – the competition brought out the best inventiveness of many staff of the institute, who produced some amazing creations and raised a total of $1854.50. In addition, a donation of $50 from the institute has boosted the coffers of the winning section – the Skills Development Centre.The centre’s gingerbread house blew off

the socks, not only of the judges, but also of the many visitors to L Block over the past two weeks. Peripheral displays of Santa at the barbie and Christmas on construction sites tied in the theme with the activities of the portfolio.The competition was extremely close

at the top, though only one section used their prerogative of judge-bribery to bolster their points. (The judges hope to see a big improvement in this aspect for next year’s competition.)Congratulations to the winners, and

a massive well done and thank you to everyone who participated. While there can only be one winner, the standard of entries was phenomenal.A Block’s Santa down the dunny was

funny and extremely well executed with terrific attention to detail. D Block’s sleigh, mantelpiece and myriad decorations had taken a great deal of time and effort to produce – and they raised the highest total for charity. C Block’s selfie photos brought great hilarity and encouraged participation of students and staff – and the bribe was not only delicious, it was part of a brilliant, specially created presentation.Trades had inveigled dozens of students

and staff in all trades to perform in an excellent video, which looked like everyone in it was having fun. Getting students to wear the elf hats was a real coup.The café’s decorations centred around a

massive cup of cappuccino, fashioned from a dustbin and dressed as Santa.Numerous charities will benefit from this

year’s competition, and several portfolios are already planning even bigger and better efforts for next year.

Gingerbread house takes out title

Santa relaxing by the barbie.

Jackie McLeish, Tash Henderson and Jess Johnston received their trophy from chief judge Carolyn Heffernan.

Left and right: The SDC’s display included construction sites with a Christmas theme.


The Skills Development Centre’s gingerbread house was the centrepiece of their display.

More pictures on pages 28 and 29

Cappuccino Claus in the café.

R Block’s Christmas tree.


Gingerbread house takes out title From page 27

D Block’s sleigh and reindeer (left) was part of their display.

The Library Resource Centre incorporated a sustainability theme.

C Block’s set-up for ‘selfies’ was a popular attraction.

Terri Michael and Jaime Eatt demonstrated C Block’s selfies.

Lecturers Peter Slebos and Craig Bottomley helped at the fete.


Right: Santa’s mistaking the dunny for a chimney inspired a brilliant display in A Block.

Below: Judges’ bribes were not only allowed, they were encouraged.

A monitor in the Trades office showed a terrific video of students and staff in all the trades areas in Christmas mood.


Safety First

With Rick Muller

If you think last Christmas was bad, it could have been worse – as these funny facts from the UK prove.1. Hospitals reported four broken arms last

year after cracker-pulling accidents.2. Eight people cracked their skull in 1997

after falling asleep while throwing up into the toilet.

3. Nineteen people have died in the past three years believing that Christmas decorations were chocolate.

4. Thirty-one people have died since 1996 by watering their Christmas tree while the fairy lights were plugged in.

5. Five hundred and forty-three people were admitted to the emergency department in the past two years after opening bottles of beer with their teeth.

Accidents and injuries can happen at any time of year; bus some accidents are specific to the Christmas season, or more likely to happen at this time of year. Statistics show people tend to take bigger risks during this busier time of the year (Hint: it usually involves alcohol) – for example, fires which start from a Christmas tree result in death more frequently than fires which start from other sources.Each year thousands of individuals

sustain workplace injuries in the process of decorating for the festive season. With proper planning and thinking through the tasks, it’s possible to identify hazards and celebrate with festive flair while avoiding the dangers that arise more commonly in the festive season.

Safety while being jolly

SeedsOF SUSTAINABILITY

Great Southern Institute of Technology is a member of Australian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS), bringing numerous benefits to all staff and students, including free access to a series of sustainability webinars and excellent teaching and learning resources.Other benefits include:

• Access to members-only web content

• Access to member resources• Discounts on annual subscriptions• Support and advice from the online

forum• Eligibility for scholarships• Discounts on admission to the

annual conference• Regional events, including professional

development and networking• Competitions.To access members-only content, go to the

ACTS website, and click on ‘Create your account’ on the front page.Signing up is easy, but be sure to use your

@gsit email address to gain access under the institute’s membership.Our membership with ACTS connects

the institute with others working to create a sustainable future, here in Australasia as well as across the globe. ACTS is Australasia's largest tertiary education sustainability network.

Sign up for sustainability resources

http://www.acts.asn.au/

Documents

The gazette december 2013