Certificate III community services work student Wayne Wright picked up two awards - Aboriginal student of the year and Aboriginal vocational student of the year, while Sammantha Devlin, who completed a certificate III in commercial cookery, was named apprentice of the year.

Mr Wright overcame many personal obstacles in order to graduate and said he wasn’t expecting to be awarded Aboriginal student of the year.

“It was very overwhelming to receive Aboriginal student of the year, I didn’t know I was receiving that one,” he said.

“Being Aboriginal it means a lot, I’m very proud of who I am.

“I’m proud because I’ve never achieved anything like this before apart from my School Certificate.”

Institute director Kate Baxter said Orange’s two award recipients should be proud of their achievements.

“Both Wayne and Sammantha are extremely talented, hard working, have been great role models for their peers and are very deserving of this recognition,” she said.

“Wayne overcame many personal obstacles to graduate. He was a fine example that students of all ages and abilities can achieve great things if they want to.”

Although Mr Wright at times wondered if his studies would be worth it, his persistence has now paid off with a job offer from Mission Australia.

“I’m working at Mission Australia as an Indigenous trainee,” he said.

“As part of that they’ve asked me to go back to TAFE for 12 months to do a family case management diploma.

“It will be a challenge but that’s what I like about TAFE - it’s rewarding.”

bryson.ferreira@fairfaxmedia.com.au