Kyneton’s Elliot Foster has been named Inspirational Student of the Year and Student of the Year Animal Studies in the 2024 Bendigo TAFE Industry Excellence Awards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elliot currently works with Farmer Darryl, a mobile animal farm based in Kyneton, where he assists with animal care and event setup across Victoria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After struggling to continue education in mainstream school, Elliot found a place to combine his learning journey with his passion in caring for animals at TAFE. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A neuro-diverse learner, Elliot began in the Certificate II in Animal Care and advanced to Certificate III in Animal Care Services where he quickly progressed with some customised support in place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gradually Elliot\u2019s confidence and independence grew. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe organised with the TAFE to do a kind of split course. My mum would always drive me and stay in the car park, and I would always go and sit with her for lunch,\u201d Elliot said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was not easy to integrate myself but then eventually I did start to break out of my shell a bit and I was able to catch public transport on my own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always loved animals since I was young, the way they behave, the way they can understand us and the connection we can have with them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why I chose to come here and do Animal Studies at Bendigo TAFE and throughout the year, I knew that I could start taking the next step. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI kind of wanted to do something that helps other people through animals, they\u2019ve helped me with my anxiety and keep me very grounded and centred and give me a lot more confidence as well.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kyneton’s Elliot Foster has been named Inspirational Student of the Year and Student of the Year Animal Studies in the 2024 Bendigo TAFE Industry Excellence Awards. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":18493,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[89,15],"tags":[3339],"ppma_author":[5225],"class_list":["post-18492","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-latest-news","tag-bendigo-tafe"],"yoast_head":"\n