Wodonga TAFE proud to have two finalists in 2022 Wurreker Awards

Monday, 10 October 2022

Wodonga TAFE is proud to announce notification of two finalists in the 2022 Wurreker Awards, which will be held in Melbourne on Thursday 13 October at the Aborigines Advancement League in Thornbury. The annual VAEAI Wurreker Awards are held to recognise and celebrate progress achieved under the Wurreker Strategy, and Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan.

Shortlisted as a finalist in the Training Provider Awards category for ‘Innovative Koorie Learner Pathways – TAFE Institute’, Wodonga TAFE’s Mubal and Bali Program is a photography short course developed for participants from Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service (AWAHS). The ‘Mubal and Bali’ program was carefully designed to engage the women in the local Indigenous community and offer them a taste of Vocational Education and Training (VET), with the focus on learning through hands-on experience.

The program was successful in its outcomes, with exhibitions held at the Eddie Kneebone Gallery at Wodonga TAFE during NAIDOC Week 2021, and again in 2022. Both exhibitions featured outstanding works created by all student participants and were very well attended by the local community.

Wodonga TAFE’s photography teacher, Tania Martini, is also nominated as a finalist in the Individual category of Teacher/Trainer of the 2022 Wurreker Awards. Tania’s incredible achievement with the Mubal and Bali program was exemplified through the ample portfolio of photography work and curated exhibitions held in 2021 and 2022. This allowed students/participants to proudly display their links to women, children, birth and birthing on Country through powerful imagery. The images were created by the participants under Tania’s tutelage and enabled through Tania’s expertise and remarkable passion for teaching.

The Wurreker Awards highlight achievement, inclusion, and best practice in the sector – encompassing Koorie students in VET, local training providers, and employers. The award categories cover all aspects of Koorie vocational training, employment, and pathways.

Wodonga TAFE’s CEO, Phil Paterson, said the TAFE was very proud to be recognised in the Awards. “The Mubal and Bali Program has enhanced the relationship we have with AWAHS, with demonstrated positive outcomes for Koorie learners from this innovative program. The success of the photography program has led to the development of future endeavours for the students and the AWAHS organisation.”

“This nomination is great recognition of Tania’s enthusiasm for the development of the ‘Mubal and Bali’ program through connections built with the local Koorie community and ensuring all students had the opportunity to excel at and achieve their desired outcomes”, said Phil. 

Read more about the Mubal and Bali photography program.