TAFE students

TAFE Students

At the Thurgoona Community Centre, we have had immense benefit from the many dedicated work placement students who have so passionately embraced their work at the centre. These students have not only been able to complete their work placement hours, but have invested who they are into the work that we have made available. Without them, major programs could not have progressed and we are richer from their involvement. Here are a few of their stories.

We also have the amazing support of local volunteers who come alongside these students and contribute to their quality of experience at the centre. They are the backbone of the success that we enjoy. If you enjoy working with young people and would like to help, please give us a ring on 6043 1588

Over the past decade, TCC has accommodated over 20 work placement students. Each has utlised different programs to fulfil their assessment requirements and so experiences have varied emensely. Using TCC for work placement is all about the right fit. It is a benefit to both the student and the organisation.

Anjila Situala- Diploma of Community Services (Online Study- Student) December 2025

Anjila During her time on Work Placement

"Completing my placement at Thurgoona Community Centre as part of the Diploma of Community Services has been a rewarding and transformative experience. During my placement I had the opportunity to engage with different groups, a diverse group of community members and I also got the chance to participate in different activities whilst exploring the different groups that run at Thurgoona Community Centre.

The team at Thurgoona Community Centre — Kathleen, Sam and Sherylyne — provided an incredibly supportive, inclusive and culturally safe environment.
Their advice, support, and enthusiasm to provide their knowledge helped me to develop solid professional abilities and self-assurance. They constantly made sure I had excellent educational opportunities and trusted me with tasks which helped to improve the center's activities. I gained a greater understanding of ethical practice, mindfulness practices, confidentiality, and focused on client support thanks to this placement. Additionally, it improved my decision-making abilities, working on team abilities, and communication abilities.

I am truly grateful to the staff at TCC for their mentorship and for creating a learning environment where I felt respected, supported and valued. If not for the youth facilitator Katheen who was able to work with me I would have had to travel to Melbourne to complete my placement and I would not have been able to do that and continue to work as I was able to do. My time at Thurgoona Community Centre has prepared me well for future roles and has boosted me for the role to play as community worker and encouraged my passion for working in the community services sector.”

Sarah- Diploma of Community Services- TAFE Student November 2025

Anjila and Sarah in front of the WH&S board they helped to implement

“Having my first work placement at TCC was an amazing experience, with the support of Youth Programs Facilitator and Youth Mentoring mentor Kathleen it has vastly improved my professional development. What made this experience so impactful was that TCC already had the Youth Program embedded within their centre. This meant I wasn’t just completing a placement—I was part of a program designed to nurture and empower young people like me. Having access to structured supervision, mentorship, and a welcoming team created an environment where I could test my boundaries, learn from experienced professionals, and feel genuinely supported every step of the way. TCC has such a welcoming, knowledgeable and engaging group of people which in turn made for a truly educational, memorable and valuable experience. I am grateful that TCC have the Youth program already at their centre and I had the opportunity to be able to use that service to have supervision while undertaking work placement for community services”

Savannah Page
"I will be a volunteer for life after meeting such beautiful people at the Centre".

 

Kristen Bullivant – Diploma of Community Services

Throughout my time at the Thurgoona Community Centre I had great experience for my first placement during my studies. It gave me a great insight into the community and how everything works. I was lucky enough to be involved in the grant process which I have never known anything about so that was interesting. I learnt how important and beneficial networking is, I got to sit in at an Albury City Council Youth meeting which was good to learn about different issues that were getting discussed and the process of events they were planning.

During the first couple of weeks at the centre I was asked to be team leader, usually I am very quiet and not that confident around people I don’t know that well however I thought I am at placement to learn and experience new things so I said I would do it. Being team leader was a great opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and put myself out there so I’m grateful I was given the opportunity to do so. I have gained a lot of confidence after my placement and to have a little more faith and confidence within myself. My experience has showed me the significant impact that volunteers and passionate workers have to help keep the community events and programs progressing and that they have a great spirit.

I met a lot of amazing people throughout the weeks I was at the centre who all helped and supported me during my time there, I felt very comfortable there and would suggest this placement to anyone.

I will miss everyone there and will keep in contact to see how the program and everyone is going.