General News
21 November, 2024
Emily recognised among TAFE’s best
A MORTLAKE beauty specialist has been named among South West TAFE’s major award winners for 2024.
Blush Boutique Salon’s Emily Thorne was named Certificate III in Nail Technology Student of the Year at South West TAFE’s Pure Academy Showcase and awards night on Tuesday.
More than 170 people attended the awards night to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of students across hairdressing, barbering, beauty, massage and nail technology courses.
Ms Thorne said she got quite the surprise to learn she had been named a major winner on the night.
“I was a little bit shocked,” she said.
“I started studying nail tech in July but I’m a South West TAFE student from the previous two years in hairdressing, barbering and beauty.
“I wanted to learn more techniques in nail such as acrylic because Mortlake doesn’t have those services, and otherwise people have to travel to Warrnambool.
“It’s really about filling a gap, and Mortlake could use money circling around the community.”
Warrnambool beauty student Limor Cutri was named the Pure Student of the Year, earning the recognition for her hard work, enthusiasm and dedication to her studies.
Ms Cutri said she had always had a passion for the beauty industry but worked in finance and taxation for years before deciding it was time for a career change.
“It was the perfect time for me to start study. I needed a fresh start and I love that this is an industry where you can help people feel good about themselves,” she said.
Ms Cutri studied the Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy and has recently started the Diploma of Beauty Therapy.
She said she was looking forward to learning more about skin health and was hoping to gain work in the industry to build on her skills.
During the awards ceremony students were presented with awards earned in the showcase competition which was held in conjunction with WorldSkills back in September this year.
The winners of these competitions were presented on the night along with awards for outstanding students across hairdressing, barbering, massage, beauty and nail technology.
SWTAFE Hair, Beauty and Massage teaching education manager Jade Muller said the night was a fantastic opportunity to reward the students for their hard work throughout their training.
She said the training the students received at Pure Academy prepared them well for the workforce and the showcase was just one part of building their confidence and imagination as they presented their work to be scrutinised.
Major award winners included:
Barbering Apprentice of the Year – Jamie Cameron (The Concept Salon & Spa, Casterton);
Hairdressing Apprentice of the Year – Emma McRae (Deta Hair, Koroit);
Beauty Trainee Student of the Year – Lily Dickson (Pure Envy, Hamilton);
Certificate III in Beauty Services Student of the Year – Tahnee Sheppard (Warrnambool);
Hairdressing Student of the Year – Ayla Roberts (Warrnambool);
Massage Therapy Student of the Year – Stuart Davidson (Warrnambool); and
Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy Student of the Year – Limor Cutri (Warrnambool).