CQ Queensland Training Award inspires Kylie to keep growing her skills

By Greg Chapman

As Central Queensland’s Vocational Student of the Year, Kylie Johnston is hoping to inspire her First Nations community and use the skills she’s acquired at CQUniversity TAFE to care for the environment.

Kylie, a proud Baili woman, was one of three CQU-trained vocational education and training students recognised at the ceremony, which was held at the Rockhampton Leagues Club on 26 July.

Employed by Livingstone Shire Council, Kylie completed a Certificate III in Horticulture qualification with CQU TAFE and she said winning the award was a true highlight.

“I feel proud, happy and grateful – it’s been an emotional time from nomination to being announced as the winner of the category,” she said.

“To be recognised as Vocational Student of the Year is a credit to my mum, my aunts and my elders, who showed me that education is the key to being a better person and obtaining a great career of your choice.”

She said her study journey began with a desire to change careers.

“I love gardening and plants and the environment, so I took a leap of faith and resigned from my old job and enrolled at CQU to make my hobby ‘real’ and find work in the horticulture industry,” she said.

Her studies ultimately led her to secure a traineeship with Livingstone Shire Council and it was here she truly thrived, using her skills to train volunteers, colleagues and Indigenous Rangers and build the capacity of the Council’s native nursery.

“The qualifications and training helped me build my confidence to act in these higher roles,” she said.

“My favourites aspects of the job are being out in the environment, collecting seeds, specimen cuttings, identifying plants and their growth habits.”

Kylie also acknowledged that her achievements and skills also belonged to her community.

“As a First Nations woman, my cultural obligation is to share my knowledge and skills. I really enjoy talking about native plants with young people – it gives me so much joy to see their faces light up.”

She encouraged anyone looking for a career in Horticulture to consider CQU.

“Why wouldn’t you want to study Horticulture? My speciality is native plants, but you can learn about exotics too. Plants are beneficial for our health and environment, and I’ve just recently enrolled to study the Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystems Management,” she said.

“The other great thing was the teacher-student relationship. My study achievements were successful because of my teacher, Kay Pearson. She engaged me, challenged me and made herself available when I need extra tuition.

“It’s one thing to enrol and start study, but to remain engaged and committed is just as important.”

CQU’s other winners were:

Certificate III in Business graduate Chloe Hutchinson, who received the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year award. Chloe completed her CQU TAFE studies through a traineeship with Gladstone Regional Council.

Livingstone Regional Council employee and proud Bailai woman Kylie Johnston won the Vocational Student of the Year category for her efforts while studying a Certificate III in Horticulture at CQU.

CQU Emerald Metal Fabrication Teacher Andrew Abbas was also named VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year.

Maddison and the other winners will now go on to compete at the State Finals of the Queensland Training Awards, to be held in Brisbane on 13 September. CQUniversity is also a finalist in Large Training Provider of the Year category at the State Finals.