Western Cape College’s Fiona Marshall has been recognised as one of 2024’s best contributors to education in Far North Queensland. Photo: Supplied.
She is always helping students in Weipa achieve their career goals, but Western Cape College’s (WCC) Fiona Marshall has marked a significant milestone in her career after winning the prestigious Australian College of Educators’ Noreen Wilcox Excellence in Education Award.
The award, which celebrated the significant contributions of school staff across Far North Queensland, was held in Cairns on 21 August.
The well-deserved recognition in the Contribution to Education category came after six years as the school’s industry liaison officer – a role in which Ms Marshall tirelessly prepares students for a successful and fulfilling future after graduation.
“I was truly honoured to be nominated for this role,” Ms Marshall said.
“Winning the award was a wonderful surprise, especially given the exceptional nominees who shared the stage with me.
“I would like to officially thank the Noreen Wilcox Awards committee and Noreen Wilcox’s family for hosting the awards that are a celebration of education and non-education staff.”
As part of her role, Ms Marshall works with year 11 and 12 students on their school-based traineeships and apprenticeships from beginning to end, and assists them in applying for full-time apprenticeships after graduation.
She also co-ordinates the work experience programs for students in years 10-12, organises the annual Western Cape Careers Expo, and regularly establishes and maintains relationships with local businesses and employers to source opportunities for students.
Principal Dan Tonon congratulated Ms Marshall as an invaluable member of the WCC family.
“Fiona has an incredible reputation around her networking and skills to be able to support students to identify and engage in a pathway to suit their needs, as well as for workplaces to be able to find employees that suit their needs and aspirations,” he said.
“It requires her to work intensively with a lot of our businesses, but also obviously very intensively with the students and their families, and the support she provides is immeasurable.
“This award is a testament to the amazing work she’s done to support our young people into the workforce.”
Ms Marshall said she was proud to accept the award on behalf of the entire school, emphasising it was not only about herself, but about the work of every staff member at WCC who dedicated themselves to their students.
“These staff relationships have been and are so important for continual support for the WCC students and their career pathway journeys,” she said.
“I absolutely love what I do, and seeing the students, past and present, achieve their career goals always puts a smile on my face.”
