From single parent to student of the year: How FEE FREE TAFE changed Pinar’s life

Pinar came to Australia in 2008 and soon after became a single parent to two children.

She started volunteering and studying Diploma of Community Services to follow her passion for community work, ultimately awarded Bendigo TAFE’s 2022 Student of the Year and was a finalist for the 2023 Victorian Training Awards Vocational Student of the Year.

“If it wasn’t for Free TAFE, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to study,” Pinar said.

“When I studied at Bendigo TAFE, it was more about what I really enjoyed doing and out of my life experiences, what I really wanted to do in terms of my passion. Bendigo TAFE having quite a lot of connections in this field, enabled me to follow that path. It was fantastic to do what I wanted rather than what was expected of me.”

The course has expanded career opportunities for Pinar, including working as a Redress Advocate to reduce barriers to service accessibility experienced by people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

“When I first decided to study community services, all I had in my mind was to help people, particularly migrant women,” she said.

“I am able to help people now. I am able to apply my life experience in a positive and productive way. I am happy now and I hope I can make others happy.”