Batchelor Institute together with the general public celebrated the success and achievements of over 100 students who graduated on Friday 4th September in Alice Springs at the DPC campus. Special guests included The Honourable Peter Chandler MLA, Minister for Education Northern Territory, Batchelor Institute Chair of Council Professor Mark Rose and Chief Executive Officers from a range of Central Australian businesses as well as Batchelor Council.
Students from 28 communities across the Northern Territory and interstate received awards in a diverse range of fields. Special Achievement Awards were presented to outstanding students in their field of study:
- Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) Award and Koori Mail Award were presented by Professor Rose to Christine Williams from Alice Springs in recognition of outstanding achievement by a student enrolled in Broadcasting or Media studies. Both awards also encourage further study in the media field.
- NBC Consultants Award was presented by Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT) Chair, Peter Renehan to Phillip Carter from Alice Springs in recognition of the most outstanding VET student that has completed a Certificate I, II or III in Business. Mr Carter has successfully completed Certificate III in Business.
Lecturer in Family Wellbeing, Dawn Ross, was the Master of Ceremonies and gave a “Welcome to the Precinct” address, and Mr Peter Wallace conducted the “Welcome to Country”. Mr Wallace is Kwertengerle for Antulye and a representative of Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation.
Susan Walker, who is a graduand in the Diploma of Education Support, delivered a motivating response on behalf of all graduands. “With encouragement from my lecturers and principal I went on and completed the Diploma of Education Support in 2014. I have just started studying the Advanced Diploma of Education. This qualification will give me advanced credits towards a full teaching degree. My goal is to become a fully qualified teacher and have a class of my own.”
The CEO of Batchelor, Robert Somerville AM said, “It was a wonderful day to celebrate the achievements of our students which is a true reflection of Batchelor Institute’s “Both-ways” approach to learning. “Both-ways” uses Indigenous knowledge to interpret a western education system ensuring student success. The Institute would like to thank the communities of Central Australia and especially Alice Springs for joining us to celebrate the achievements of our students”.
The ceremony was broadcasted live on the CAAMA radio network.