Educator of the year finalists
Brad Allsop
Plumbing and Safety Services
After years working as a specialised service technician, Brad pivoted to vocational education. He now teaches the Certificate IV in Gas.
His real-world teaching approach prioritises practical exercise, recognising most students prefer to a hands-on approach. Brad replaces presentations with tactile exercises and even brings old controls from home as tangible examples for students.
Brad has built new systems and created workbooks to improve student assessment tasks. His innovative lesson designs have been adopted across teaching teams
A dedicated community member, Brad has been a volunteer with the CFA for over 30 years, where he began his teaching as a training instructor.
Brad maintains strong engagement with industry networks. His passion and proactivity are an asset to each student and the gasfitting workforce.
Anthony Baildon
Allied Health
Anthony brings expertise and empathy to the VETDSS Allied Health Program. He believes student engagement and support are paramount, so he fills his classes with tactile activities and a patient, steady presence. Anthony creates a safe learning environment where every student feels capable and valued.
Behind the scenes, Anthony invests countless hours liaising between trainers and the placement team. He ensures every student has a placement aligned with their interests and strengths.
Anthony is a mentor within the Allied Health team, assisting new trainers with curriculum requirements and trouble-shooting challenges.
Anthony empowers the next generation of healthcare workers through patience, mentorship, and genuine care. His colleagues say, “Anthony makes everyone around him better.”
Nadine Bowen
Allied Health
After four decades working in disability services, Nadine brought her expertise to the classroom, teaching the Certificate IV in Disability Support.
Nadine makes her students feel valued and encourages them to contribute, believing students learn better when they feel safe. She recognises the needs of diverse learners,recently providing bespoke support to two deaf students in her class.
Nadine went above and beyond to secure placements for these deaf students, advocating for their learning journey and for stronger industry acceptance of diversity.
A team player, Nadine regularly volunteers to help others and do placement visits. She also stepped into an Education Manager role during a critical period, balancing leadership and teaching.
Nadine aims to encourage enrolments through innovative course design. “It’s about being able to positively impact people with disabilities and encourage my students to positively impact lives,” Nadine says.
Lucia Caldarelli
Hair, Beauty and Wellness
Lucia creates a vibrant learning environment for the Certificate III in Hairdressing students. Known for her approachable nature and infectious energy, she excels at making complex technical skills easy to grasp.
Her curriculum innovations increase accountability and engagement in her classroom. For example, Lucia has pioneered a digital tracking guide that offers real-time clarity on competency achievements.
Beyond the classroom, Lucia fosters a collaborative culture by sharing resources with the Hairdressing team and building ties with salon professionals.
Driven by a passion for growth, she is currently studying to further refine her expertise and prepare the next generation for success.
Neil Hyde
Engineering
Neil is genuinely invested in his Engineering students’ success. His clear communication and industry expertise make complex concepts accessible – qualities he is praised for in student feedback. By starting each session with collaborative discussions about students’ workplace projects, he ensures learning remains practical and engaging.
Going above and beyond, Neil provided expert assistance in the successful delivery of a $1.95 million CNC project. He also contributed to the VET community by partnering with the new Frankston Tech School to develop specialised molds for new machines.
Looking ahead, Neil aims to continue building strong industry relationships, ensuring his teaching methods always reflect the latest workplace standards and innovative technologies.
Carolyn Jury
Art, Design and Photography
A passionate educator in the Diploma of Graphic Design, Carolyn builds connections with students that last long after graduation. She transforms complex concepts into interactive experiences, recently using Figma to turn a static weather app into a gamified learning tool.
Her colleagues describe her as a driving force, especially regarding her advocacy in the creative industries.
Beyond the classroom, Carolyn runs her own design business and is a committed member of the Australian Graphic Design Association. This ensures her teaching aligns with current professional practice.
Her students test real-world processes and tap into Carolyn’s extensive industry network. From raising the department's profile, to helping graduates find work in organisations like the AFL, Carolyn’s dedication is shaping the future of the creative industry.
Nick Place
Plumbing and Safety Services
With an Associate Degree in Vocational Education and Training, Nick brings current teaching strategies to Chisholm’s Certificate III and IV in Plumbing. He also tackles the highly technical units of sewer and septic systems.
Nick understands that many learners are returning to study after years on the tools, often requiring extra digital or literacy support. He wants everyone to have a fair chance at success, and offers one-to-one mentoring and custom-built resources.
His impact extends to his peers, where he leads team sessions on fast-changing industry standards and provides teaching resource packs. By collaborating with the Plumbing Trainers Managers Group, Nick keeps his training aligned with modern licensing expectations.
Nick was nominated for the Chisholm Stars GEM Award in 2025.