Charles Darwin University (CDU) Alice Springs student, Brooke Rainbird, has won the 2006 VET in Schools Student of the Year Award.
The award recognised Brooke’s standard of work within the classroom and her recent volunteer work.
Midway through year 11, Brooke decided to study vocational education to gain experience within the workforce and enhance her career opportunities after completing school.
Initially enrolling in a Certificate II in Tourism Operations, Brooke completed industry experience and quickly found her passion for the events industry.
She is now enrolled concurrently in a range of other VET courses, including meetings and events, business, retail and hospitality (supervision) and says a variety of courses provide her a wide skills set.
Her supervisor, Sue Tucker, tourism co-ordinator, originally suggested Brooke apply for the award and says Brooke has shown considerable initiative and problem solving skills throughout her studies.
"For some one who has just turned 18, she has remarkable maturity," she said. “An example is Brooke using her own initiative to organise a work placement at Ooraminna Homestead co-ordinating functions.”
Brooke’s work placements included the local convention centre and venues in Alice Springs and she has always been offered full or part time work at their conclusion.
Brooke says she was surprised to win the award.
“After the runners up were announced, I figured I was out of the race and suddenly my name was read out and I was stunned,” she said.
So where now for Brooke? “I want to stay here in Alice planning events, completing further studies in event management and eventually travel the world with my skills,” she said.