TAFE NSW students were recently recognised for their achievements at an awards event in Coffs Harbor.

Awards of merit and excellence were handed out to students across a variety of courses. Study areas included aged-care, business and accounting, construction trades along with the more specialised areas of study such as furniture design and visual arts.

Megan Hill, the Leader, Community and Business Engagement for TAFE NSW in Coffs Harbour beamed about the award winners.

"It's amazing to see so many of our students acknowledged by their teachers for the efforts each put into their study". Hill told the Bellingen Courier-Sun.

"These recipients demonstrated a quality approach to their education and reflect attributes sought after by industry. Coupled with awards of merit and awards of excellence, a select few students were presented with major awards".

Dominic Elmaloglou had an especially great evening. The apprentice chef and Certificate III Commercial Cookery student took home the awards for apprentice of the year and overall student of the year.

"My teachers at the Coffs Harbour Education Campus have been extremely supportive of me throughout my studies and I hope to open my own establishment after I finish my apprenticeship. It's never too late to start something in life", said Elmaloglou.

Award winners:

• 2016 TVET Student of the Year – Willow Driver (Certificate III in Media)
• 2016 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year – Jo-Anne Bertram (Certificate III in Education Support)
• 2016 Apprentice or Trainee of the Year – Dominic Elmaloglou (Certificate III in Commercial Cookery)
• 2016 Student of the Year – Dominic Elmaloglou (Certificate III in Commercial Cookery)