2025 Holmesglen Awards: A night of recognition and celebration

As part of the culminating Awards Festival event, thirty-seven student and staff finalists in fourteen categories were recognised for their achievements, while additional award categories included an Industry Appreciation Award and the inaugural People’s Choice Award.

The evening was a celebration of the impact TAFE courses, apprenticeship training and higher education courses can have on learners.

It was a particularly exultant and emotional one for the finalists and their loved ones, as each finalist had the opportunity to share their individual stories, reflecting on the resilience and dedication they demonstrated during their Holmesglen course journey. 

Winner of the 2025 Apprentice of the Year Award, Emma Jepsen said she was grateful to be nominated, and that she plans to leverage her electrical apprenticeship course recognition to encourage females entering the trades.

“I’m so thankful to Holmesglen and my teachers for all their support and with this award I hope to inspire other young women who are considering trades careers.” 

Staff awards included the Peter Lewinsky Teaching Fellowship aimed at enhancing skills and knowledge of staff through professional development opportunities. Recipient of the 2025 fellowship, Lily Su, plans to undertake a project to elevate research capabilities at Holmesglen.

“I’ve genuinely enjoyed the teaching environment and been impressed by Holmesglen’s strategic focus on growing applied research. I’m incredibly grateful for the Peter Lewinsky Fellowship, which will allow me to further develop my research skills.

"I plan to apply these learnings to support colleagues in developing their research skills and building their interest in research.”

The Industry Appreciation Award was awarded to the Eric Jones Stairbuilding Group, received by Daniel Auld, who acknowledged the high quality of apprenticeship training received by apprentices at Holmesglen.

“I’m very honoured to be here tonight, but it really should be the apprentices who are up on stage for the great work they are doing and Holmesglen teachers who are training them so well. They are the ones who deserve this award.” 

Introduced for the first time this year, the Holmesglen People’s Choice Award, recognised one student finalist and one staff finalist who had inspired widespread support. Over five thousand votes were received, cast by colleagues, classmates, friends, and family, reflecting the impact and each finalist had made on the Holmesglen community. 

Holmesglen thanks all student award sponsors including the Building and Construction Foundation, Ellucian, Erdi, Healthscope, ShineWing, Shelley Kline and Gideon Kline and the Holmesglen Foundation for their generous contributions.

See the full list of winners below and read the amazing stories of our 2025 finalists on our Awards page.

Student Awards

First Nations Student of the Year

(Proudly sponsored by Erdi)

Winner: Isaiah Columbine

Individual Achievement

(Proudly sponsored by Holmesglen Foundation)

Winner: Lara Freney

Vocational Student of the Year - VCE Major

(Proudly sponsored by Building and Construction Foundation)

Winner: Sebastian Kastrup

Vocational Student of the Year - Certificate

(Proudly sponsored by SW Accountants and Advisors)

Winner: Destiny Oung

Vocational Student of the Year - Diploma

(Proudly sponsored by Healthscope)

Winner: Fiona Wilson

George Kline Apprentice of the Year

(Proudly sponsored by Gideon and Shelley Kline)

Winner: Emma Rose Jepsen

Higher Education Student of the Year

(Proudly sponsored by Ellucian)

Winner : Kirra Johnston

International Student of the Year

(Proudly sponsored by Holmesglen Foundation)

Winner : Soyeong Ahn

Staff Awards

Aspire Award

Winner : Andrew Yarde

Leadership Award

Winner: Marilou Fisher

Service Award

Winner : Kim Kenwell

Teacher/Trainer of the Year

Winner: Glenda Llatas

Industry Appreciation Award

Eric Jones Stairbuilding Group