Methmac Communications is thrilled to announce of the winners of our inaugural Set to Soar Personal Development Award and Step Up Professional Development Award.

These awards are part of our commitment to giving back to the Gippsland community by empowering and equipping people with skills to step up in their careers and soar in their lives.

We were overwhelmed with the quality of nominations for the awards and choosing our winners was no easy feat, BUT we are confident we have chosen two exceptional people who are not only committed to making a change in their own lives, but also giving back to the community in which we live.

Both winners receive more than $500 in tickets to Methmac workshops and a one-on-one coaching session with Director Leah Mether.

SET TO SOAR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD WINNER

Congratulations Terri Plozza of Traralgon!

Terri nominated for the awards on the advice of a friend and her application stood out against very tough opposition.

Terri, pictured with her daughter Lola, has faced significant challenges in her life, but is determined to pursue her goals, remove the roadblocks to success, and make the most of her opportunities.

Not only did Terri want to win this award for herself, she wants to learn skills to help her give back to the Gippsland community.

“This award will give me access to some invaluable resources that will allow me to utilise the skills I have and in turn give back to the community,” Terri wrote in her application.

“I would love to learn how to get the best out of myself and ultimately I’d like to learn how to teach others to do the same. My goal is to offer counselling services for eating disorder sufferers in Gippsland and I want the skill set to allow me to achieve this.”

Wow! What an awesome and inspiring goal. We can’t wait to work with Terri over the next five months and see where the future takes her.

STEP UP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD WINNER

Congratulations Denise Collis of Buln Buln!

Denise applied for the award to help launch herself back into the professional arena after moving to Australia from New Zealand a few years ago.

While her focus has been on supporting her family, she is now ready to re-enter the workforce.

“I believe I have valuable learnings from my previous career in community relations and health in New Zealand where I supported people in a regional area impacted by a mining and power industry downturn. It was a similar situation to what’s happening now in the Latrobe Valley,” Denise said.

“I believe my experiences could help the Gippsland community and I would love the support and opportunity to step up in my professional development in the hope of finding local employment.”

Denise said she wanted to use the skills learnt from Methmac workshops to support the local community as it navigated through challenging times.

“I want to support, advocate and facilitate people through these challenges,” Denise said.

“This is the perfect time for my professional development and I will absolutely make the most of this prize.

“I’m like the little train that could – ‘I think I can, I think I can’. With this award, I know Leah can take me to a place where ‘I know I can’.”

Well done Denise. We look forward to working with you over the next five months.