Service excellence employee of the year
Indii Crawford
TAFE Transformation Office
A key asset to Education Delivery, Indii is the driving force behind the Asset Information Management System (AIMS) project. This major role involves streamlining more than 10,000 assets to meet government mandates. Her work ensures every piece of training equipment has the correct documentation and maintenance requirements.
The AIMS project required Indii to conduct deep engagement across departments and employ the skills to actively bring people along on the change journey. This included educating and training staff who may have had little awareness of the system or government mandates.
Working closely with external stakeholders to build a shared understanding of AIMS, Indii’s calm approach and willingness to explain has strengthened relationships.
Indii’s work has directly improved safety, the student experience, and organisational capability.
Naz Ebrahimi
Art, Design and Environment
Naz brings an unmatched level of care to Chisholm’s Art, Design and Environment department.
Her team describes her as steady in the eye of the storm. She is a calm presence who over the years has navigated pandemic disruptions, multiple building relocations and leadership transitions with grace.
Naz also manages the Creative Industries social media and celebrates student work. She serves as a dedicated mentor and go-to person, welcoming new staff with training and genuine kindness.
Community is important to Naz, especially during the conflict in Iran, her home country. Even while anxious for her family in Iran, she gathers members of the Iranian community, creating spaces of mutual support and reassurance.
Naz always shows up for others with selfless dedication.
Simone Rigby
Academic Administration
In Academic Administration, Simone stands out as an inspiring leader who prioritises people.
She empowers her team, who manage critical tasks like billing plans, student refunds and awards, by implementing customer service strategies. Her work has transformed student communications and outcomes.
A major achievement includes her rollout of My eQuals, which issued over 18,000 secure transcripts in 2025. This gives students instant, verifiable, electronic awards and badges. This change provides fast-tracked recognition for students and has enhanced their sense of accomplishment.
Simone’s impact extends beyond her daily role. She is a cornerstone of graduation events, ensuring every gown is ready and every award is compliant. She frequently volunteers her time to help other departments solve complex problems and fosters a joyful culture by baking extraordinary goodies for staff milestones.
Melanie Sayers
Marketing and Communications
As Events and Engagement Team Lead, Melanie is dedicated to the end customer experience. She recently reimagined Chisholm Info Days into a successful expo format, drawing over 1,700 registrations and welcoming 800 prospective students to campus.
Through her guidance and strategic focus on secondary schools, the Student Recruitment team contributed to substantial increases in Chisholm’s Consideration rating reaching 12% in 2025, from 8% in 2023, and Preference hitting 5% from 2% in 2023 and 2024.
Melanie mentors her team and fosters a culture where everyone helps each other on event days. From delivering the inaugural Apprentice Graduation and Awards Celebration, to organising the End of Year Celebration for 900 staff, her meticulous planning – and 90% corporate event satisfaction rate – speak for themselves.
Melanie is currently studying the Certificate IV in Leadership and Management, to further her positive impact.
Leigh Stabryla
Student Support and Engagement
Leigh, an Apprenticeship Support Officer, is widely praised for his passion and practicality in every interaction. He often thinks outside the box to solve problems for apprentices.
Leigh’s dedication is visible in the numbers. He maintains a contact volume approximately 35% higher than the team average, ensuring no apprentice feels overlooked.
He takes the initiative to personally visit trade departments and introduce himself, building genuine rapport during trade days and community events.
One of Leigh’s key contributions involves delivering engaging class presentations to support apprentices. Leigh’s positive approach makes him a favourite among apprentices, who consistently provide glowing feedback about his support.