Caitlyn Galagher - Winner School Based Trainee - Apprentice for the Region 

Year 12 student, Caitlyn Gallagher was recently named 2019 School Based Trainee / Apprentice of the Year for the Hunter New England Region at a gala event held at the Tamworth Memorial Town Hall.

As part of her HSC, Caitlyn is studying a Certificate III - Health Services Assistant. In addition to the theoretical component, the course requires Caitlyn to work one day a week at the Wee Waa Hospital where she has learnt a wide range of practical nursing duties and clinical procedures.  

Chosen from more than one thousand nominees, Caitlyn’s nomination made it to the final 20, all of whom were present at Friday night’s Awards dinner. Also present to see her take out the major award were Caitlyn’s parents Anne-Maree and John Galagher.

The Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year Award is presented to a student who is undertaking a Certificate II or above qualification as a part-time Australian School-based Apprentice. The Award recognises the student’s commitment to their formal studies at school, and in the workplace.

Of winning her award, Caitlyn said ‘When my name was announced I was quite honestly in shock for a moment. I’m really grateful and pleased to have received the award. It’s encouraging and really great to be recognised in this way. I have to say, though, that my achievement has really been assisted greatly by the staff at Wee Waa Hospital and our Careers Adviser, Ms Blewitt who does a lot to help me.’

With a Bachelor of Nursing in her sights, Caitlyn explained, ‘I have really enjoyed my traineeship and it has confirmed for me that nursing is definitely the career direction I want to pursue. Next year I am hoping to study Nursing at the University of New England in Armidale.’

‘Working at the hospital has given me so much valuable practical experience.  I have learnt a broad range of clinical procedures and had the opportunity of hands-on experience and this will really help me with my future studies and nursing work', Caitlyn added.

Juggling a part time job, working one day a week at the hospital as well as her HSC study commitments has been challenging, but as Caitlyn observed, ‘It has taught me a lot about time management and prioritising my commitments and these are things that are important in life but very much as a nurse.’

From here, Caitlyn will be entered for judging for the state awards that will be announced in September. All state winners are then judged for a national award.

Returning home with the Years 9 and 10 school excursion and unable to attend the awards dinners, Wee Waa High School Careers Adviser, Ms Stephenie Blewitt said she couldn’t be more delighted that Caitlyn took out the award. ‘She has worked hard and at times it hasn’t been easy to juggle her TAFE and HSC commitments, but she has learnt the art of time management and excelled. We are all so proud of her'. 

Also shortlisted as a finalist for another award that evening was Curtis Bolton (son of Beryl and Conrad Bolton) who is studying a Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Operations and works at Narrabri Coal Operations.