Charles Darwin University’s Alice Springs campus Administrator David Reilly has received an award in recognition of his leadership and commitment to Vocational Education and Training (VET).
Mr Reilly received the “Legends” award this month from the Queensland branch of AUSTAFE, a professional association for senior managers of Tertiary and Further Educational (TAFE) institutes and other vocational education and training stakeholders.
He is the first Territorian to have received the award.
“It came as a surprise, but a very nice surprise,” he said.
Mr Reilly has a long history in education among Aboriginal communities throughout the Territory and vast experience in remote delivery of adult education.
His knowledge of the history of TAFE/VET delivery in the NT and Australia is phenomenal and a huge asset in a transient population such as exists in the NT.
He is the confidant and adviser to senior VET managers and a mentor to new and experienced lecturers dealing with the challenges of remote education.
Mr Reilly was one of four members of the NT branch of AUSTAFE in Brisbane for a leadership development workshop in mid-August. The awards were presented at a dinner marking the end of the workshop.
Two other Territorians, both lecturers at Palmerston campus, were in the running for awards on the night.
Both Jason Wilkes and Robert Schwerdt were finalists in the Emerging Leader category, which recognises the achievements of a Queensland or Northern Territory AUSTAFE member (under 40 years of age) and who has demonstrated leadership qualities conducive to the advancement of TAFE and vocational education.