VET Teacher / Trainer of the Year

Sponsored by INPEX Ichthys Project

Winner: Chrissy Zelley

Subject Area: Early Childhood Education and Care
Employer: Charles Darwin University

Charles Darwin University (CDU) trainer Chrissy Zelley’s classroom is not confined by four walls. With her student group spanning an impressive 110,000 square kilometres in the Territory’s north, it can be difficult to deliver successful training courses.

Chrissy teaches the Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care with students from Timber Creek, Kalkaringi, Mataranka, Ngukurr and Katherine. However, the real obstacle for Chrissy is far more challenging as some students speak English as their fourth language.

One of Chrissy’s major career achievements has been the success of her Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care students located in Ngukurr.

Runner Up: Martin Astridge, Certificate II in Community Engagement

Subject area: Community Engagement
Employer: NT Police Force

Martin Astridge is a devoted father of three but nurtures and improves the professional and personal lives of many more. Having been a police officer for almost 20 years, Martin has a wealth of knowledge and experience in community engagement. The lucky recipients of this knowledge are NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services College cadets where Martin leads the Certificate II in Community Engagement.