More than 160 GOTAFE students have celebrated all the hard work that has led to them achieving their respective qualifications during a graduation ceremony in Shepparton.
The students gathered at the GV Hotel on Wednesday, March 22 with family and friends to be recognised for overcoming a range of challenges, as they take their lives in a new direction.
They were graduating in courses as varied as baking and hospitality, business and IT, community services, education, hair and beauty, health and nursing, land and animals, technical trades and VCAL.
One of those to successfully navigate a series of challenges to graduate in Certificate III in Business was Jay-Leigh Hillebrand, who managed to squeeze a 12-month course into nine.
Ms Hillebrand juggled parenting her two children, full-time work and a 90-minute weekly drive from Kilmore to Shepparton to complete her studies, as the course was not offered at the closer Seymour campus.
“I originally studied to further my knowledge with computers and stuff because I wanted to get into administration, as well as my parents have just started their own business, so I want to be able to help them on the computer side of things because my mum isn't great,” she said.
“The hardest part of studying and trying to juggle studying, work, family and life was probably trying to find the common ground and balance between all of them.
“I was very, very lucky though that Julie, my trainer, was able to allow me to do some days from home to take care of my children or whatever was needed.”
Ms Hillebrand said she received great support from her partner, Josh, parents and friends while studying the course, but was also proud of herself for completing the course, despite the challenges.
Ms Hillebrand said she would not hesitate to encourage others to take on the challenge of further study.
“I thought that I would struggle and fall behind, but I was lucky enough to never get to that point, and I always had help so I was able to achieve the goals that I wanted and now I get to celebrate it,” she said.
“I am super excited to graduate because I didn’t think I would.”