People, Places and the Many Faces of NMIT
NMIT has a proud tradition of providing excellent teaching and training. It is in this spirit of excellence that the many NMIT students learn their craft, realise their talents, develop their skills and become the success stories that you are about to read.
With more than 500 nationally-accredited courses and 380 institute-accredited courses, NMIT gives students the opportunities to excel in their chosen careers. Staff and students have won major industry awards, both on the national and international stage. Read about their experiences and the choices that have contributed to their milestones in life.
- Graham Adams - Aged Care
- Tristan Barber - Certificate IV in Science
- Amanda Bennett - Information Technology
- Dean Best - Liberal Arts
- Brian Birch - Koorie Visual Arts
- Alexandra Bletsas - Engineering Technology (Jewellery)
- Marco Carusi - Bricklaying
- Troy Davis - Business and Human Resources
- Ellen Duffy - Photography
- Emilia Fernandes - English, Visual Arts, Illustration
- Lynda Fisher - Certificate IV in Science
- Aldoreyn Francisco - Business Studies (Marketing)
- Luke Ismail - Electrical Apprentice
- Mary Hackett - Engineering Technology (Jewellery)
- Calista Lyon - Photography
- Chris Massey - Engineering Technology (Jewellery)
- Tania McBride - Certificate IV in Science
- Graeme McConachy - Certificate IV in Science
- Kellet McDonell - Animal and Agricultural Science
- Fiona Morris - Certificate IV in Science
- Sam Mutch - Furnishing and Cabinetmaking
- Yen Ong - Horticulture, Landscape Design
- Jessica Pascoe - Equine Studies
- Nick Pearce - Furniture Design and Manufacture
- Deb Porter - Renewable Energy Technology
- Andrea Preusche - Certificate IV in Science
- Tom Robinson - Security Technology (Locksmithing)
- Shareena Sloan - Painting and Decorating
- Damian Spadaro - Remedial Massage (myotherapy)
- Tony Spizzica - Music and Performing Arts
- Ankica Susnjar - English language, Youth Education
- Daniel Svozil - Bachelor of Aquaculture
- Casey Trainor - VCAL, Pre-apprenticeship in Furnishing
- Nicole Waddell - Outstanding Student of the Year - Koorie at 2007 Victorian Training Awards
- Richard White - Agriculture
Graham Adams
After a 40-year career as a truckie, a knee injury forced Graham Adams to quit driving and look for a new line of work. At an age where most people are thinking of retirement, Graham launched into training for a whole new career. "The teachers at NMIT were unendingly supportive in my training. I credit them with 99 percent of my achievements. I loved that the coursework was so diverse and so were the range of students."
- Graham Adams, Personal Care Attendant (PCA).
Tristan Barber
The staff at NMIT provided a positive atmosphere that encouraged students to do their best. Teachers were always available to help out and never before had I seen a group of teachers with such high conviction.
- Tristan Barber, Certificate IV of Science
Amanda Bennett
Amanda discovered her knack for website design while working as an administration manager. NMIT helped Amanda Bennett to follow her passion and discover a new career in Information Technology.
- Amanda Bennett, Dual Diploma in E-Business and IT(Web Development)
Dean Best
After a seven year interval from leaving High School Dean Best returned to study. "The course at NMIT provided me the fundamental skill of ‘learning to learn’ that was missing when I left High School."
- Dean Best, Certificate IV in Liberal Arts student.
NMIT Student Wins Indigenous Art Award
“I wasn't doing anything with my life and felt my life was not fulfilled and I was looking for something to fulfil me. I felt lost and because I used to be a good drawer I thought I'd give art a go. I had tried at another TAFE about five years before, but I was still caring for Laraine and it all got too much.”
Brian Birch, NMIT Koorie Studies student.
The Irony of Success
“It really is an irony; a surprise to me that I did this course when I look back at what I had thought while at uni.”
- Marco Carusi, former bricklaying apprentice from NMIT.
Troy Davis
"The courses I completed were a great kick-start for me. I was able to go on and complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Careers Education & Development and a Post Graduate Certificate in Industrial Relations. I managed to gain employment as a Human Resource Officer at NMIT then moved in to a HR Coordinator role."
- Troy Davis, Human Resources Co-ordinator
Emilia Fernandes
Arriving from Portugal in 1987 with her husband and young son without any English, Emilia Fernandes enrolled in an english language course at NMIT in 1989. She has continued studying at NMIT completing a Diploma of Visual Art, Advanced Diploma Arts Management (First Year), and is presently enrolled in the Diploma of Illustration 2009. "Trying to learn English from my husband was too hard – he was a stickler! So I enrolled at NMIT because it was close to my home," recalled Emilia
- Emilia Fernandes, Diploma of Illustration student.
Lynda Fisher
I was always interested in science at school, but unfortunately did not get the support I needed from my teachers. I left half way through year 12 for full time employment. After working for a couple more years I moved to Melbourne and completed a Cert 1 in Aged Care. I was offered a traineeship which I declined due to change of mind and decided I wanted to study again.
- Lynda Fisher, Certificate IV of Science
Aldoreyn Francisco
After leaving a degree course at another institution and spending almost two years in full-time employment, Aldoreyn surprised his family with news that he was enrolled in NMIT’s Faculty of Business.
- Aldoreyn Fransisco, NMIT Advanced Diploma of Business (Marketing) student.
Third Award for Local Apprentice
“I was shocked to win the first award... but this third one is a bit surreal... I thank the NMIT teachers for the time and the effort they had put in to help me understand the material I was learning.”
- Luke Ismail, NMIT electrical apprentice student.
Mary Hackett
Mary, who graduated from NMIT’s Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Jewellery) in 2009, has been a jeweller and metalsmith for 20 years. But after taking time out to raise the couple’s three children, Mary felt she needed to update her skills. “Without NMIT I believe it would have been a lot harder to catch up,” she says. "It's a lovely place to be and a beautiful school. The course helped me focus on where I wanted to push my work and which part of jewellery and silversmithing I wanted to pursue."
- Mary Hackett, Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Jewellery)
NMIT Student Wins National Photography Award
“I am really happy to win the award as I'm satisfied that my dedication and hard work has paid off. It's pretty exciting and it's a great stepping stone for my career as it means that my work has been recognised for its high level in the professional photography industry.”
- Calista Lyon, Diploma of Arts (Applied Photography) student at NMIT
Chris Massey
The journey to NMIT for Chris Massey came via working for Christie’s in New York and self-employment as an Interior Designer in Los Angeles, but after a short visit to Australia, he left his heart in Melbourne. "The Advanced Diploma has an excellent reputation within the jewellery making industry."
- Chris Massey, NMIT Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Jewellery) student.
Tania McBride
"My experience at NMIT was very positive. I found the staff to be very supportive and passionate teachers. The course structure and workload prepared me for university in a way I could not have anticipated. Given the chance I would have completed my entire degree at NMIT."
- Tania McBride, Graduate of Certificate IV in Science, now in 4th year at Monash University studying Astrophysics
Graeme McConachy
"I am currently in my 3rd and final year of my nursing degree, whilst many of my fellow nursing students have struggled with the science aspects of the nursing degree I have been able to build on the solid base I gained from NMIT and further my knowledge with greater ease than many other students."
- Graeme McConachy, Graduate of Certificate IV in Science
Winning Ways With Cattle at the Show
“I was careful to stay aware of my role all the time and ensured I was holding the reins firmly. It was really a performance for me and I just tried to remember all the skills I had been taught at NMIT.”
- Kellet McDonell, NMIT Animal and Agricultural Science student.
Fiona Morris
"I found out that my VCE was considered obsolete after ten years and that I would need to sit it again (two years), or sit a Certificate IV in Sciences (one year). NMIT was one of only two TAFE colleges I could find in Victoria that offered this certificate and so I immediately enrolled."
- Fiona Morris, Certificate IV in Science graduate.
Victorian Award for Local Apprentice
Sam Mutch has beaten more than 200 pre-apprentices from Victoria to win the 2007 Victorian Furnishing Industry Certificate II in Furnishing Pre-Apprenticeship Cabinet Making Award.
Yen Ong
Encouraged by a lecturer, Yen Ong entered the Flemings Design Competition at the Melbourne International Garden and Flower Show ... and won first prize. "I am fascinated by the area of sustainability and the environmental impact of everything we do, so I was passionate about this project. My design, A Tale of Two Gardens – Carbon Offsetting Versus Carbon Reduction was all about the practical solutions to an evolving issue."
- Yen Ong, Diploma of Horticulture, Certificate IV in Applied Design (Landscape)
Jessica Pascoe
Jessica didn’t believe she could turn her passion for horses into her career until she discovered the Bachelor of Equine Studies at NMIT. Further study will be made all the easier by an $8000 NMIT Faculty of Earth Sciences Study Grant awarded to Jessica during her final year in recognition of her outstanding performance during her course.
- Jessica Pascoe, Graduate of NMIT Bachelor of Equine studies, 2008
Design Award for Local Resident
Nick Pearce returned to study at NMIT to start a career in furniture design and manufacturing.
Deb Porter
"I have been impressed by the specialist knowledge of the teaching staff and their willingness to share their expertise."
- Deb Porter, Certificate IV in Renewable Energy Technology student.
Andrea Preusche
"The year I spent with NMIT enabled the fundamentals to be covered in detail, My full appreciation of this wasn't realized until I got to university and saw that what had taken a week for me to understand at NMIT we would blitz though in a 1 hour tute at university."
- Andrea Preusche, Certificate IV in Science, now studying Veterinary Science at University
Tom Robinson
Tom from Bairnsdale in regional Victoria enrolled in NMIT’s Security Technology course because "Everyone in this industry knows it offers the best professional training in the country. During my study, people had come from all over Australia, New Zealand and Asia to participate in the course."
- Tom Robinson, Master Locksmith
Award Accolades Keep Flowing
“The awards never really sink in. I'm very excited about them, but it doesn't always seem real. It's pretty scary and there'll be a lot of pressure but I don't think I'll ever get the chance to do this again.”
- Shareena Sloan, painting and decorating apprentice at NMIT.
Damian Spadaro
After partly completing a course in natural medicine with another institution Damian Spadaro realised that it was not right for him. "It wasn’t until I found NMIT and was introduced to the teachers and resources that it started to feel right again," Damian remembers. "NMIT is so different to the other place I tried, it’s a better environment for learning and I am so much happier here."
- Damian Spadaro, Advanced Diploma in Remedial Massage (myotherapy) (2nd Year) student.
Tony Spizzica
"The course is put together so well, it dovetails the creative aspects with the business management side of the music industry and has given me the technical tools to add to my skills." Tony explains "It’s not just about learning to play an instrument, it’s a comprehensively holistic approach,"
- Tony Spizzica, Bachelor of Australian Popular Music (3rd Year) student
Ankica Susnjar
When Ankica Susnjar arrived in Australia with her family seven years ago she spoke no English and knew no one in Melbourne. Her family had been relocated by the United Nations from Serbia as refugees of war. "Coming to Australia and learning English at NMIT widened my opportunities and gave me the confidence to follow my dream of becoming a Nurse".
- Ankica Susnjar, NMIT Academic English Program for Young Adults (AEPYA), Youth Unit, Faculty of Education student.
Daniel Svozil - The World is his Oyster
When Daniel Svozil was in the final stages of his secondary schooling, he had a fair idea of what career path he wanted to embark on, but it was one that his careers teacher was not terribly keen on. "This is one of the best decisions that I have ever made," he says when asked about his thoughts on undertaking the Applied Aquaculture Degree Program at NMIT’s Epping campus.
- Daniel Svozil, Bachelor of Applied Aquaculture Degree student.
Casey Trainor
After completing Year 10 at secondary school, Casey Trainor wasn’t completely sure about where he wanted to head in life. "I was tossing up between making guitars and joining the army," recalls Casey. "But I decided that I wanted to get an apprenticeship before I joined the army so I had something to fall back on."
- Casey Trainor, Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) program and Pre-apprenticeship (Certificate II) in Furnishing student
Study Reaps it's Reward at NMIT
“...I feel really grateful and it was wonderful to study with Indigenous people who I could share my experiences with at NMIT. The award is very exciting and I am very proud of myself. I also feel more confident and believe in myself in a way I never have.”
- Nicole Waddell , 2007 Outstanding Student of the Year (Koorie) at the Victorian Training Award.
Scholarship Win for Local Student
“I certainly didn’t expect to win the scholarship and it was exciting when I got the call to say I’d won. The scholarship supports the grassroots of the agricultural industry and the money will go towards operating costs of the farm which I run with my father, Rod.”
- Richard White, NMIT Agriculture student.
