Nigel and Maree: Kangan Batman TAFE’s top staff members for 2003
14 August 2003
Nigel Alex, Kangan Batman TAFE Teacher of the Year.
Maree Gardiner of Sunbury was recently named Kangan Batman TAFE’s Staff Member of the Year at the Quest for Excellence Awards ceremony. This ceremony is organised each year to reward the achievements and excellence of staff members across Kangan Batman TAFE’s many campuses over the past year.
Nigel Alex, is a popular sport/fitness teacher, well-known across Kangan Batman TAFE’s six campuses. He has also previously worked in Kangan Batman TAFE’s corrections education programs in juvenile justice and Port Phillip Prison. Nigel Alex currently works at Kangan Batman TAFE’s Richmond campus.
Nigel is held in high regard by staff, students, employers, and his teaching and health/fitness industry colleagues for his commitment and contribution to the fitness industry and education in his field. He is active in the industry/education networks and is constantly seeking to improve training by developing high quality learning resources and implementing best practice.
“Teaching is actually my second career. After school I completed an apprenticeship in sheetmetal welding and worked for seven years as a welder at the Commonwealth Government’s Ammunition Factory in Footscray,” says Nigel.
“Throughout that time I continued to play a lot of sport, competing in tennis and Taekwondo (Black Belt). Eventually I realised that I wanted to work in sport, and returned to study at 24 to complete a degree in physical education, before going on to complete my teaching qualification.”
“I believe my experience as a mature-age student helps me understand and relate to my students at Kangan Batman TAFE, as many of my evening short course students are mature-age,” he says.
In addition to his full-time work at Kangan Batman TAFE, Nigel also works in the fitness industry part-time at the City Club, Grand Hyatt Melbourne, where he has been a Fitness Consultant for members and house guests of the hotel since 1996.
Maree Gardiner is an extremely loyal and committed staff member who commenced at Kangan Batman TAFE in 1997. Maree currently works in the Institute’s Marketing Department at its Moreland campus, commencing as the Short Course Coordinator in the department three years ago and recently taking on the expanded responsibility of Advertising, Brochures and Special Events.
Over the past six months, Maree enthusiastically embraced this broadened role, training new staff members in marketing and developing an understanding of areas in which she had not previously been involved.
Outside work Maree, a mother of three adult boys, is a fitness enthusiast not missing a day at the gym. Her long day can start as early as 5.30am with an hour or more spent at the gym on her way to work. Maree feels that her passion for exercise helps in her ability to balance work, home and family.
“I initially started at Kangan Batman TAFE as the Short Course Enrolment Coordinator. Within 12 months I was hooked and short courses became a passion. For me the challenge was improvement of processes, and more importantly how to increase short course income for the Institute,” says Maree.
“Juggling a career and family is always difficult, but I believe organisation is the key. My being organised has rubbed off on the family and our home is quite orderly, with everyone chipping in, making that juggling a little bit easier. I have been going to the gym and walking regularly for around 15 years now and the exercise definitely increase my energy levels.”
Maree was chosen for the breadth of activity undertaken in her role and her commitment to continuous improvement while carrying out her job. Maree’s expertise in short courses has been sought by other TAFE’s across Melbourne.
