Two of the Highlands' healthcare workers were recognised at the Illawarra NSW Regional Training Awards on Friday, June 5.
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It was a gathering of the region's most outstanding students, trainers and organisations in the vocational education and training sector.
And among this year's nominees were Mackenzie Isedale and Sienna Withers, who both overcame significant personal challenges to give back to the community.
![Canyonleigh's Sienna Withers overcame significant personal challenges to give back to the community. Picture supplied Canyonleigh's Sienna Withers overcame significant personal challenges to give back to the community. Picture supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/190291005/609f4e67-c6a2-4452-ac16-d6c588e93cea.jpg/r0_45_5083_3388_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Ms Withers, a former Moss Vale High student, is studying a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance while working at Harbison, an aged care provider in Bowral.
The Canyonleigh local won VET in Schools Student of the Year:
Her passion for nursing began at a young age after her father fell ill. He was diagnosed with two brain tumours, had multiple infections such as meningitis and golden staph, had a total of 48 brain surgeries and was recently diagnosed with state thee non-hodgkin's lymphoma cancer.
Seaking to the Southern Highland News Ms Withers said she hoped to reciprocate the same care, compassion and empathy that nurses have shown her father throughout his illness.
"Being nominated means so much because I get to speak about what I love and maybe even help others find their passion for something they didn't know they wanted to do," she said.
"Being a nursing VET student is an amazing opportunity as it sets me up for my future in this career. This course has helped me gain so much knowledge, skill, and passion for being a nurse.
"I myself have really bad anxiety but this course has brought me out of my shell, and made me believe in myself. I not only get to share my knowledge to my younger peers at school and my family and friends, I get to use it throughout my life," she said.
Mackenzie Isedale is also studying a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance.
![Mackenzie Isedale is studying a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance. Picture supplied Mackenzie Isedale is studying a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance. Picture supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/190291005/2bbc8751-e083-4b5c-bef8-690c89c387ad.jpg/r627_13_6000_3960_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The former Bowral High School student, who was nominated alongside Ms Withers, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was nine years old.
Due to the severity of her illness she was unable to attend school, which created learning difficulties.
However, she was supported by a team of caring doctors and nurses and this gave her a strong desire to give back to a system that cared for her when she was ill.
"Don't be afraid to try new things and you'll be amazed about the new skills you'll learn, and don't be afraid to ask questions and seek assistance," Ms Isedale said.
"I chose this course to gain a deeper understanding of the healthcare environment. I have always wanted to give back to a community that helped me, and I knew that nursing was going to be the career I needed to do from a young age.
"The opportunity to undertake this course as part of my high school education allowed me to get a head start with my career," she said.
The 2024 NSW Training Award winners are:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year: Ivan Morris, Corrimal
- Apprentice of the Year: Rachael Pearson, Helensburg
- School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year: Xavier Jeremijenko, Mount Keira
- Trainee of the Year: Brooke Fletcher, Cooma
- VET in Schools Student of the Year: Sienna Withers, Canyonleigh
- VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year: Michael Pfeffer, Dapto
- Vocational Student of the Year: Chloe Short, Nelligen