Celebrating The Gordon Awards for Excellence

Alicia Martin took out top honours, being awarded the Student of the Year for her achievements while studying the Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural).

Alicia came to The Gordon to retrain in Building Design as a mature-aged student having previously served as a member of Victoria Police. After a workplace injury, Alicia considered new opportunities and chose to follow her father’s footsteps in architecture.

“My father worked as an architect/building designer for nearly 60 years. From a young age, he instilled a strong appreciation for the built environment in me. My fondest memories spent with him were sitting on his lap at his drawing board or visiting sites and holding a staff while he took measurements, Alicia said.

“I have always been naturally creative but have found it difficult to channel it successfully as I am also deeply analytical and strive in a structured environment. Building design gives me a creative outlet that has boundaries as I am required to work around strict regulations which require me to tap into my problem-solving skills. It has given me something I really love to focus on, giving me purpose and direction.“

Alicia also won the Design Excellence Award.

The Apprentice of the Year award was given to Horticulturist Simon Berry for his achievements in studying Certificate III in Parks and Gardens.

Simon said his “dream was always to secure ongoing employment at the Geelong Botanic Gardens as a horticulturist” which he now has achieved.

“Horticulture has always been my passion (with an interest in bonsai and Niwaki since my teenage years), so I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity of studying under the tutelage of Course coordinator Tony Hughes and John Mitchell, both of whom are a wealth of knowledge and an asset to The Gordon,” Simon said.

“I am still amazed that I get paid to do something I absolutely love. I will be forever thankful to The Gordon.”

Simon also won the Natural Environment & Science Excellence Award.

Chief Executive Officer for The Gordon, Joe Ormeno said “These awards recognise the commitment and perseverance to succeed. To be named a finalist amongst the more than 11,500 students that studied at The Gordon in 2024 is an outstanding achievement.”

“These students, apprentices, and trainees represent the best of The Gordon — a diverse, talented, and determined group of learners who set out to achieve something more.”

“Demonstrating more than academic excellence, these students are people to watch; they are high-achievers in the community and the classroom. Many have overcome challenges and unforeseen obstacles with determination and grit, or had the courage to take on a different pathway mid career.”

He said the quality of applications was “impressive”, and the competition “fiercely contested”, noting all finalists should be proud of their achievements.

A total of 42 finalists were acknowledged for their outstanding contributions while studying at The Gordon.

2025 award recipients by Category 

Special recognition awards: