The gazette may 2014

May 2014Volume 5, No 3

Monthly Newsletter

THEGazetteLife’s good at the topAs a wife, mother of three, nurse and community volunteer, Natalie Pearson is a tireless worker with a drive to improve the lives of others.Three years ago, Natalie Pearson’s life took a dramatic turn. At that time, she never imagined the crisis she and her family were facing would lead her to a new, rewarding career and the top honour from more than 6000 students at Great Southern Institute of Technology.Happily, that’s how Natalie’s life has turned

out – and through her own hard work and

dedication, she can look forward to reaping professional and personal rewards for years to come.The crisis came in 2011, when Natalie’s

eldest son was diagnosed with lymphoma.“It was the day after his sixth birthday, and

we thought he had come down with a cold and flu,” Natalie said.

Continued on page 6

Great Southern Gazette – May 20142

To access this newsletter as a PDF by email or for a printed copy, phone 9892 8888.To download a PDF, visit the website www.gsit.wa.edu.au. The Gazette is on the Publications page under the ‘About Us’ tab.

Want to read The Gazette in another format?

Great Southern Institute of Technology will award 24 scholarships in early August to ease the cost of study for full-time students in Semester 2.Students in all study areas will be

eligible to apply for the scholarships, which include one of $600, 22 of $500 each and one covering the cost of course fees.GSIT Managing Director Lidia Rozlapa

explained 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,” Lidia 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.”Scholarships available are:• 20 of $500 each sponsored by the

Jack Family Trust for students in any course of study.• Total course fees for one student

taking Certificate IV in Community Services, sponsored by the Albany Community Living Association.• One of $600 for a student taking

Certificate IV in Mental Health, sponsored by the Albany Halfway House Association.• One of $500 for a student taking the

Diploma of Music, sponsored by the Denmark Music Foundation.• One of $500 for a student taking

the Certificate IV in Youth Work, sponsored by the Albany Youth Support Association.Lidia thanked the sponsors for their

generous contributions which would help make training more accessible to community members facing hardship.Applications are on the scholarships

page of the institute’s website. Completed application forms, with appropriate back-up documentation, must be returned to the Albany campus of Great Southern Institute of Technology no later than 10am on Monday 28 July.For more information on scholarships

or courses for Semester 2, phone 9892 8888 or Freecall 1800 675 781.

Scholarship applications are open

Email [email protected]

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

www.gsinstitute.wa.edu.au

Great Southern Gazette – May 2014 3

Plugging away earns Liam a plum jobHaving been brought up around the family’s plumbing business, it was no surprise that Liam Fricker aspired to learn the trade.To achieve his ambition,

though, Liam had to overcome barriers which would have daunted most people.A fitting reward for his

tenacity and excellent attitude to his studies came seven years after he started his apprenticeship, when the newly qualified plumber was presented with his trade certificate at Great Southern Institute of Technology.Joining Liam in the

plumbing workshop for a small ceremony recently were GSIT Plumbing and Gasfitting Lecturers Rod Connell and Warren Sloss, and ApprentiCentre Senior Apprenticeship Officer Jerome Vann, whose organisation supported Liam through the long process.Warren said he had been

Liam’s lecturer for the past few years, though Liam had started in 2008 under the tutelage of Rod Connell.He explained that Liam

had suspended his apprenticeship for two one-year periods, one of which was as the result of a disabling arm injury sustained in a car accident. Despite this, the young

man’s persistence was clear. As soon as he was

able, he was back in the workshop and earning a living with his father Bill

Fricker of W and M Fricker Plumbing.“Liam’s parents helped a

lot, and the family support was there from the start,” Warren said.He explained that Liam

had battled literacy issues, but the course had been tailored to his needs and in addition to his written examinations, Liam had taken verbal assessments.He said Liam had,

however, many attributes which brought rewards for his lecturers and provided the impetus for their continued support.“Much to his credit, I never

heard him complain about any task, he just got on with it,” Warren said.“He was always here when

he was supposed to be – he was very reliable,” he said.“And he has a remarkable

memory – he would read a passage in a textbook and

be able to recall it word for word,” he said.Clearly happy with

the accolades from his lecturers, Liam said he was proud to finally receive his trade certificate after his marathon effort.“It feels great,” Liam said.“I want to say thank you

to the teachers who helped me,” he added.He said he enjoyed all

aspects of the job, though he conceded repairing leaking roofs in wintry weather was not his favourite task.His lecturers have seen –

and helped – him develop from a teenager to a full-time employee and father during his training.With his vocational future

sewn up and years of study behind him, Liam now also finds time to indulge his passions for fishing and boating.

Liam Fricker (right) is a qualified plumber who now works for his father Bill (left) in the family business.


From the MD’s Desk

Term 2 has started well and everyone is busy as the academic year is in full swing. This is evidenced by the pleasing figure of 49.8 per cent of profile achieved at the end of April.

Minister’s visitIt gave me great pleasure to welcome Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Training and Workforce Development Dr Kim Hames to our institute at the end of March.Following morning tea with

the executive management team and governing council members, Minister Hames was accompanied on a short tour of the Albany campus.See the report on

Minister Hames’s visit and photographs on pages 18 and 19 of this edition of The Gazette.

VET sector reviewRegional State Training Providers Great Southern, CY O’Connor, Durack, Goldfields and Kimberley institutes collaborated to respond to a discussion paper on the key issues of the VET sector review. The report was sent to the Minister’s office by the end of April, and I will keep you informed of developments on this issue.

Freeze on expenditureAs you are all aware, the State Government

has imposed a freeze on advertising and recruitment expenditure until 30 June.While the embargo is

effectively lifted on 1 July, I expect further efficiency measures to be imposed. Thank you to all those managing budgets and operating under staffing pressures for your cooperation and innovation in these demanding times.

Capital worksThe health science building is due for completion by the end of the year, and the project is currently progressing under the original budget. The approximately $500,000 saved will augment institute funding for an upgrade to the library with video conferencing facilities, which is proposed for early next year.Remedial works including

sewerage, gas, electricity, fire services and security cameras will be completed by the end of June, and a program of ICT infrastructure projects funded by Royalties for Regions is due for completion next year.

AQTF trainingAt the end of April, Clare Werner of the Training Accreditation Council delivered a two-day audit training course for lecturers, portfolio managers and

principal lecturers.Further training sessions

are planned for 8 and 9 July, providing an opportunity for staff to adopt a consistent approach to AQTF – not only the audit process.

ScholarshipsThe institute is offering numerous scholarships in Semester 2. The main criterion for

selecting recipients is hardship, so if you know of a person who would benefit from financial help with their study, please guide them to Student Support in L Block at the Albany campus, or to our website, where they can get details and download an application form. Applications close at 10am

on 28 July, and no late entries will be accepted.

Bachelor of Science (Nursing)After several years of a productive arrangement to deliver Curtin University’s BSc (Nursing) at the Albany campus, this has now ended. Curtin will still deliver to current students but will not start a new program.The university’s proposal to

move to distributed learning – or video conferencing – is not the institute’s preferred delivery method, so negotiations with other universities have resulted in a draft proposal from Edith Cowan. This looks promising, so

I will keep you abreast of progress.

Happy reading,Lidia


Conservation and Land Management (CALM) students recently visited the Kalgan River and Emu Point, where they learned to attract and trap pelicans to check for, and remove, hooks, fishing line and other hazardous objects. Lecturer Andrew Nicolson

showed the group the finer points of handling the birds as well as how to check their condition.

Rescuing pelicans is all in a day’s work

Above: A pelican feeding at Emu Point.

Left: Janelle Clay learns to handle one of the heavy birds.

Below left: Lecturer Andrew Nicholson checks the bill for hazardous objects.

Below: Healthy pelicans playing.


From page 1“The doctor took one look

and sent him for an x-ray, and the next thing we were flying RFDS to Perth,” she added.The months spent visiting

hospitals with her son rekindled Natalie’s long-held ambition to become a nurse, and prompted her to find out about the Diploma of Nursing at Great Southern Institute of Technology.“I always wanted to be a

midwife, then because of what happened to my son, I was not sure I could cope with nursing,” the affable mother-of-three explained.“But I spoke to the

nursing lecturers, who were very supportive from the beginning, even before I enrolled for the course,” she said.With her youngest child

having started school, Natalie took the plunge.“I loved the course and I

learnt so much, but it was hard at first studying five days a week plus doing homework and organising the family,” she said.In addition to strong

support from her lecturers, Natalie made special mention of the institute’s Library Resource Centre for the excellent facilities and up-to-date database which were a good source

of information while she tackled assignments.Now working part time at

Baptistcare Bethel Aged Care Facility in Albany, Natalie is coping with the shifts, though she said it was very different to working five days and having weekends off.In addition to helping

Natalie make the transition from student to nurse, her supportive husband and children shared her pride and delight when she was named Vocational Student of the Year at the institute’s award night in March. The award, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Albany City, is for a student who demonstrates outstanding academic excellence and community spirit – and Natalie answered both criteria in spades.Natalie said she was

surprised to hear her name called out as winner from the four finalists on the night.“I had been listening to

everyone else’s stories and didn’t think I had a chance,” Natalie said.“It was such an honour to

receive it,” she said.Now in a rewarding

career, Natalie is thriving on the interaction with her residents and patients, getting to know them and hearing about their lives.As for the future, she

may consider taking the registered nursing course delivered at GSIT through a Perth university.

“I’ve put it on the back burner for now, though,” she said.“As an enrolled nurse,

the work is more hands-on, and I get more patient interaction,” she explained.She said other areas

of the profession also appealed, such as community nursing, which she might consider later.“And I would love to work

as a paediatric nurse,” she added, “but I won’t move from Albany.”In addition to bringing

up her family and working shifts, Natalie devotes considerable time and energy to continuing her voluntary community work.A member of the WA

Mountain Bike Association, she raises funds for her club, and is an active campaigner for the restoration of Milpara Park near her home. She is also an avid fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House in Perth and the oncology ward at Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth, where her son endured months of treatment for cancer.Securing a good position

in her new career and being named Vocational Student of the Year were fulfilling milestones for Natalie, whose children are aged nine, eight and five.But the best news of

all was concerning their eldest child.“He is in full remission

now,” Natalie smiled.

Life’s good at the top


Great Southern Institute of TechnologyAboriginal Programs

Albany: Shirley Hansen 9892 8779Melissa Meyer 9892 7503

Katanning: Melissa Berrigan 9821 6402 Shiekiel Ford 9821 6444

ATTENTIONall Aboriginal students of

Great Southern Institute of Technology

Are you fi nding your studies diffi cult?

Do you need some help learning how to study?Aboriginal Programs can assist by providing you with a tutor who

can help you fi nd the best way for you to study.

It’s a free service for up to four hours a week.Why not take advantage of this free offer. Phone us today!

If you think having a tutor will benefi t you, all you need to do is contact us.

IndigenousTutorial Assistance Scheme

• ALBANY • DENMARK • KATANNING • MOUNT BARKER

AMA1

670

Learning Noongar PeopleKadadjiny Noongar MoortAboriginal Programs

Your regional TAFE

FREECALL1800 675 781www.gsinstitute.wa.edu.au


Year 9 and 10 students from North Albany Senior High School attended GSIT beauty therapy for a manicure as part of the fashion and beauty element of their home economics course.Teacher Bronwyn Day

accompanied the students two weeks in a row, when they were pampered and given a taste of beauty therapy as a possible career.

GSIT Beauty Therapy student Shelly Hodge gives a relaxing massage to NASHS student Samira Williams.

For a group of people who spend their time caring for others, a trip to the beauty therapy salon at GSIT was a welcome session of indulgence and relaxation.Members of the support

group Wanslea Grandcare received a pampering manicure or pedicure from the beauty therapy students, who appreciated the chance to put their skills into practice with grateful clients.The session also gave

lecturer Alison Sharpe the opportunity to examine the students’ skills for their formal course assessment.“It’s great to be able to

provide the service for those who are always looking after other people,” Alison said, explaining the people in the group were caring for grandchildren full-time.When the students have

expanded their skills in a few weeks’ time, group members will return to enjoy a facial.

Busy beauty students host visitors...

Members of Wanslea’s Grandcare group relax for a pampering session with the institute’s beauty students.


...and put their talents on displayDuring their year of studies, the institute’s beauty therapy students create individual displays to various themes.The first was a bridal display, for which

students used silks, tuile, flowers and beauty products in soft, feminine hues to reflect the essence of a bride’s big day.This was followed by a luxury theme,

when jewellery and Champagne were displayed with glitter and indulgent, pampering products.

Hayley Coomber’s interpretation of luxury.

Josie MacDonald and her bridal display.

Shelby Warren’s take on a bridal theme.

Angela Brownbill with her bridal display.

Maddy Walker’s luxury display.

Tameka Cummings’s display depicts luxury.


High school students around the region are learning the basics of trade training in a program designed to help them determine their post-school options.The program is run as a collaborative

project between Great Southern Institute of Technology and the high schools, whose students gain a nationally recognised qualification as a stepping stone to a secure future.For some, the program is the start of

a career path which can lead them to university and then into a profession; for others, it offers fundamental skills to help them take the next steps into further training or employment.Great Southern Institute of Technology

lecturers deliver the year-long program in local high schools and on the institute’s Albany campus.At Denmark High School, a group of Year

11 and 12 students have been learning a trade from Lecturer Bryan Thompson as part of their Certificate III in Building and Construction. The program is sponsored

by the Building and Construction Industry Training Fund (check title with Kathy).Year 12 student Xavier McFadyen said the

course had allowed him to see whether he enjoyed construction enough to make his career in that area.Carefully sawing a piece of timber, Xavier

said working precisely was important to create a good joint – explaining the class had learnt the finer points of dovetail, halving, and mortise and tenon joints.Xavier plans to complete Certificate IV

next year, then move on to a Diploma in an associated study area before using his qualifications to gain a head start in an architecture degree at the University of WA in 2016. “Before I went in, I was hesitant, but I’m really enjoying it,” Xavier said.In the kitchen preparation area of the

Denmark High School campus, a group of girls were cutting up vegetables to make pumpkin soup, under the watchful eye of the institute’s Hospitality Lecturer Andrea Gallagher.

Continued on page 11

School’s in for skills starters

Jesse Stokes, Connor Brown and Xavier McFadyen in the construction workshop at Denmark High School.


From page 10Year 11 student Chloe Green said they

had prepared and cooked a variety of dishes in the first few weeks of their Certificate II in Cookery class.“It’s been great fun, we’ve made lots

of food,” Chloe said, reeling off such delights as chocolate chip biscuits, berry muffins, nachos “with heaps of chilli” and pizzas.Her first career choice of vet nurse may

be a far cry from the kitchen, but for Chloe, a diversity of cooking experience will give her valuable life skills and also help her gain employment overseas if she chooses to travel.For others in the class, this is an

excellent grounding in cookery which could lead directly to a career in a commercial kitchen.They will gain a taste of a real-life

catering business when they run the school café as part of a small-scale commercial operation planned for the end of Semester 1.

School’s in for skills starters

Making pumpkin soup for lunch in the kitchen at Denmark High School are Chloe Green (above) andEbony Bailey and Katherine Bird (left).


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 Horticulture Lecturer Bill Hollingworth.

For students taking courses at Great Southern Institute of Technology, the opportunity to learn from a well-recognised industry professional is invaluable.Since Horticulture Lecturer

Bill Hollingworth joined the institute at the start of this year, his students have benefited from his experience in commercial plant production spanning more than 30 years.In addition to lecturing

at GSIT, Bill runs his own nursery and is a keen farm forester and amateur botanist.His involvement with

these industries started with a career in forestry, after which he moved into seedling production on a commercial scale for the forestry plantation industry. He has experience

with saltland vegetation, wetlands and Landcare projects as well as agriculture and natural resource management.Bill said he brought

wide experience of the commercial realities of plant production to the institute, as well as expertise in staff management, corporate governance and team building.He particularly enjoys

hands-on participation in projects, a factor he keenly promotes in his classes.“I hope to pass on my

practical skills to students

to enable them to enjoy working with plants and to create a career for themselves,” Bill said.Bill’s continued involvement

with local conservation and land management organisations allows him to not only share his own expertise, but also to examine issues from other viewpoints.

Continued on page 13

Growing interest in natural resources

Horticulture Lecturer Bill Hollingworth (right) with students Alessandro Daniele, Aidan Coughlan and Wonjun Kim in the horticulture shed.


From page 12He is project officer with the Wilson Inlet

Catchment Committee, and serves on the boards of South Coast Natural Resource Management, WA Natural Resource Management Regional Leaders Group, and Australian Forest Growers WA.As a Rotarian and City of Albany

councillor, Bill said he enjoyed meeting

people and discovering their passion for what they did. He also finds time to enjoy the natural

environment and local wonders from a different perspective – the bicycle seat.“I have just discovered the pleasure of

cycling and hope to use my involvement with the City of Albany council to promote cycling as a way to enjoy our very special south coast region environment – and to rediscover my fitness while also enjoying the outstanding food and wine we produce,” Bill said.“We live in a very special place.”

Growing interest in natural resources

Tourism student Tayla Cochrane (right) welcomes Darlene Jenkins and Barbara Oates from Melbourne.

A chilly morning and blustery winds faced visitors to the city aboard the cruise ship Dawn Princess at the beginning of May.But the institute’s

tourism students helped to bring a little comfort as they greeted the visitors and advised on places of interest – and where to keep warm – during their short stay.

Warm welcome takes the edge off cold wind

The cruise ship Dawn Princess docked in Albany on 1 May.


The institute’s Library Resource Centre took on a multicultural flavour for Harmony Day in March.Walls and ceilings were

festooned with a vibrant array of costumes and flags representing countries including Colombia, Italy, Burma, Japan, Afghanistan, Vanuatu, France, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Nepal, India, Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Burundi, Thailand, China, Venezuela, Argentina – and Australia.Certificates in Spoken and

Written English (CSWE) Lecturers Jill Buchanan and Sara Lembo led their students in an exciting educational project in which the group used the library display to share aspects of their own culture with their class and the institute community.Following instructions,

translating recipes and writing their own profiles were excellent ways of practising their English.Some of the costumes

had been created by the students themselves, and

many were embellished with lavish embroidery, sequins, gold thread or lace.Traditional recipes and a

display of global groceries reflected the tastes of numerous cultures, and

library staff selected books on countries around the world to promote the theme of the event – unity in diversity.

A multicultural taste of harmony

Above: Mu Zhu Nong admires one of the beautiful fabrics.

Left: Sharing recipes and displaying global groceries brought variety and a multicultural flavour to the library displays.

More photos on page 15


CSWE students produced recipes, personal profiles and costumes for the Harmony Day display in the Library Resource Centre.Above: Anil Chacko, Pah Ser, Mu Zhu Nong, Sawai Duangken and Thitaphon Phaksopha.Below: Easther, Salma Jamali, Alessandro Casilli, Dongmei Qin and Akiko Nagasaka.


Grandma’s lamington cake, lemon cream cheese-topped chocolate cake, Christmas mint slice.

Special stories about family culture were shared with love, humour and pride.

The celebration of Harmony Day has become a tradition in our Early Childhood Classroom at Great Southern Instutute of Technology. It was fantastic to spend time together to

relax and chat over lunch.

We were treated to many delights as students and staff shared their food and the family stories which went with each dish.This was a fun way to do lunch – thanks to

the organisers of Harmony Day.– Anne Parker

Global flavour to lunchtime celebration

Students brought a selection of food to reflect their own culture for Harmony Day.


Beef goulash, pumpkin soup, chocolate brownies, chocolate banana cake, roast chicken, quarkbaellchen and lavash herb and lemon toasties were some of the dishes students brought to share.

Right: New Zealand lolly cake, sushi, blueberry-topped cake and Graham cake.

Below:Pasche eggs, which are dyed with onion skins, and chocolate eggs were used to play a game on the lawn.


On March 26, the institute hosted The Hon. Dr Kim Hames, Deputy Premier, Minister for Health; Training and Workforce Development at the Albany campus.Minister Hames,

accompanied by his Principal Adviser Melinda Hayes and Principal Policy Adviser Training and Workforce Development Adam Walker, arrived in time for morning tea with the institute’s executive management team and governing council members in the primary industries complex.After addressing the

gathering, Minister Hames fielded questions about issues facing regional institutes in general, and Great Southern Institute in particular.Managing Director Lidia

Rozlapa then accompanied Minister Hames on a tour of the horticulture and aquaculture sections, past the Skills Development Centre industrial training shed and across Anson Road to view progress on the new health sciences building – an area of particular interest to the Minister as it relates to both his portfolios of health and training.This was the Minister’s

first visit to GSIT, so as he discovered some of the facilities, he took time to chat with students and staff.

GSIT community welcomes Minister

Minister Hames stops to talk to Conservation and Land Management student Beau Cox.

Lecturer Peter Young shows the Minister and Principal Adviser Melinda Hayes the aquaculture setup.

Minister Hames and MD Lidia Rozlapa.


Above: Horticulture student Alessandro Daniele chats to MD Lidia Rozlapa, Portfolio Managers Jan Davidson and Neil Binning, and Minister Hames.Left: MD Lidia Rozlapa and Governing Council Chair Scott Leary. Below Left: Governing Council member Simon Lyas with Executive Assistant Lexy Grover.Below: Minister Hames views progress on the health science building with site supervisor Dwayne Simmons.


A recent bake sale organised by students of the Certificate III in Business might have had a fun theme, but the group took their duties very seriously.The professionalism with which

they tackled the project was impressive – as was the colourful and tasty variety of goodies which drew admiration from hungry customers all over the Albany campus.Launching the bake sale to

answer the requirements of the unit ‘Promote innovation in a team environment’, the students produced their own promotional material for emailing and posting around the campus, then cooked and presented their fare for sale, with all proceeds going to the Albany Community Hospice.Business Lecturer Leaya Bailey

said the group had taken a holistic approach to the project.“It’s important the customer is

informed, so they have provided a list of ingredients for each item,” Leaya explained.“It has also honed their customer

service skills,” she said.Tables were laden with butter

cupcakes, mini quiches, cheese and bacon puffs, gingerbread men, carrot cakes, grapefruit and almond cakes, chocolate butterfly cupcakes, hedgehog slice, lamingtons, chocolate crackles, orange almond cake and vanilla cupcakes – all beautifully presented and as tasty as they looked. Albany Community Hospice was chosen to benefit from the proceeds totalling $548.55, which were boosted by the sale of fresh lemon drink, a student’s home-made aprons and even the clever butterfly-shaped blackboards advertising the event.

Sweet project a boost for local charityShivaun Rowley displays the mini quiches.

More pictures on page 21


Lydia Onions serves one of a long queue of customers.

Liz Hynes puts out a plate of cupcakes.


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

Saturday 31 May is World No Tobacco Day, marked by the World Health Organisation as an opportunity to increase awareness of the health risks associated with the consumption of tobacco, and to campaign for policies aimed at reducing the prevalence of tobacco use. The health benefits of quitting smoking

are well known and the body starts repairing itself immediately, with the benefits continuing for many years after the last cigarette has been smoked. In the short term, lung function improves, as do the senses of taste and smell and circulation in the fingers and toes. In the longer term, the risk of heart disease and a number of cancers decreases. The World Health Organisation’s

theme for World No Tobacco Day 2014 is raising taxes on tobacco and it’s estimated that the average pack of cigarettes will cost in excess of $20 within two years; this means someone smoking a pack a day could save $7300 a year if they quit. For those wishing to cut down on their

cigarette consumption, or quit the habit altogether, support is available. Fresh Start courses led by facilitators trained by Cancer Council WA provide a supportive group environment in which individuals develop not only the skills to reduce or stop their smoking, but also the strategies to help them reach their goals and manage withdrawal symptoms and obstacles. Why not use World No Tobacco Day

to make the decision to take control of your smoking and improve both your health and your bank balance.

Butt out for World No Tobacco Day

CoursesDenmark12 and 26 June (one course) From 4-7pm at the Denmark Health Service

Katanning18 June and 2 July (one course) From 9-12am at Katanning Community Health.

For more information on tobacco and smoking, including resources

to support you to quit, see the Cancer Council WA website: http://www.cancerwa.asn.au/prevention/

tobacco/.


Apprentices in the cabinetmaking workshop have been producing fine furniture as part of their course. A grandfather clock was the project chosen by Darren Maring (left) while Hayden Spaanderman crafted a glass-topped timber coffee table.

Craftsmanship in the workshop...

Max Fullarton and Mitchell Sargent recently learnt the finer points of brick paving as part of their TryTech program. Attending the institute one day a week, the NASHS students will also try their hand at building and construction, welding, tiling, cabinet making, plumbing, bricklaying, fitting and turning, automotive and horticulture.

...and in the great outdoors


SeedsOF SUSTAINABILITY

For students who struggle with literacy, having texts read aloud can remove barriers to learning and provide access to knowledge and understanding. Many publishers provide texts as ebooks

or will provide electronic copies of texts on request.Electronic texts, documents and web

pages can be read aloud using textHELP Read&Write GOLD, software that is available on student and staff computers

at the institute and also for loan from the library. Using textHELP Read&Write GOLD, electronic material can be saved in audio formats so you can listen to this on your iPod, MP3 player or CD player.Library staff and study skills lecturers can

show you how to use textHELP Read&Write GOLD. There is also a range of text-to-speech

apps for mobile phones and tablets. To find out more phone me on 9892 8741.

Access All Areaswith Wendy Macliver

Text to speech

Great Southern Institute of Technology is encouraging students and staff to accept the Plastic Free July Challenge. The challenge is quite simple: attempt to consume no single-use plastic during July.Single-use plastic is anything that is

intended to be used once then thrown away. If all single-use plastic sounds a bit daunting, just try the ‘big four’ single-use plastic items – plastic bags, plastic cups, plastic straws and plastic containers. Plastic Free July advocate Wilma van

Boxtel of Swanbourne, WA said since participating in the challenge she was constantly thinking of ways to reduce her plastic packaging. “I have used my own reusable shopping

bags for years, but now I take my own containers to buy meat and cheese and I try to purchase in bulk,” Wilma said.“During last year’s challenge I cut up

an old net curtain to make different sized reusable bags for fruit, nuts and vegetables.”Plastic Free July started as a local

initiative in Perth and has grown into a global campaign. People can register for the challenge;

and share their experiences, ideas and tips at www.plasticfreejuly.org.

– Laura Bird

Check out the Plastic Free July YouTube clip.

Will you accept the challenge?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u01LS9enPQ


SUSTAINABILITYE D U C A T I O N F O R

Learn how to integrate sustainability into your training

Half-day workshops and online activities

Work at your own pace

Explore tools, skills and resources for effective delivery of sustainability concepts to your students

Presented by Laura Bird

Workshop 2 starts Wednesday 28 May

This unit may be used:

• Towards a qualification in Training and Assessment at Certificate IV or Diploma level.

• As study for personal development – no assessment necessary.

Email [email protected] for more information

Your regional TAFE



HR NewsWith Paula Pattinson

The State Government announced on 16 April that there would be an immediate freeze on all recruitment and appointment activities by government sector agencies, until 30 June at this stage. This included a ban on permanent appointments and promotions, and a ban on any new appointments to the sector including casuals. Although external advertising is not possible during this period, internal expressions of interest for positions not more than six months in duration are allowable, using existing staff only.

Positions Advertised• Internal EOI L3 Portfolio Admin Officer – Business and Creative Industries (closed 25

March) – Tanielle Sherwood was successful• L2 Executive Support Officer 0.5 FTE (closed 7 April) – on hold due to Public Sector

recruitment freeze• L3 PACD Coordinator 0.5 FTE (closed 7 April) – on hold due to Public Sector recruitment

freeze• Internal EOI L1 Portfolio Support Officer – Business and Creative Industries (closed 8

April) – Sam Ahern was successful• Internal EOI L2 Refunds Officer (closed 9 April) – Jaime Eatt was successful• Internal EOI Relief L3 Business Systems Administrator 0.2 FTE (closed 10 April) –

Debbie Williams was successful• Internal ASL1 and ASL2 positions (closed 14 April) – on hold due to Public Sector

recruitment freeze• Internal EOI L1 Portfolio Support Officer – Teaching and Learning (closed 16 April) – MJ

Gibbs was successful.Congratulations to all the successful applicants.

New staffA warm welcome is extended to the following new and recommencing staff:• Larry Blight, Casual Lecturer Career Development, Albany• Cherie Connor, Casual Lecturer Skills Development Centre, Albany• Marsha Ashwell, Casual Lecturer Nursing, Albany• Mark Hepworth, Casual Lecturer Trades, Albany• Alicia Jambor, Casual Ancillary Trades, Albany• Ric Linnett, Casual Lecturer Skills Development Centre, Albany• John Macneall, Casual Clerical Regional Administration, Mt Barker• Ian Tanner, Casual Lecturer Trades, Albany• Janet Matwiejew, Casual Clerical Library, Albany• Rachel de Ruiter, Lecturer ESL, Albany

Staff exiting• Christine Groves, Lecturer Massage, ceased 31 March• Lindsay Sercombe, Lecturer Industrial Skills, ceased 31 March• Yasmine Welsh, Portfolio Support Officer – Business and Creative Industries, ceased 24

April• Barry Jordan, Lecturer Forestry, ceased 2 May• Tarmla Cook, Records Management Coordinator, ceased 2 May.Warm regards and best wishes to those leaving the institute, we wish you every success with your new adventures.

Documents

The gazette may 2014