Lara’s long road to diploma shows dedication
LARA Lewis-Stapleton has juggled raising two sons as a single mum, working part time across several jobs, and studying full time at TAFE to gain a Diploma of Nursing.
“I started nursing years ago but life got in the way with kids and commitments, so that took a backburner,” she said.
“It was always something that I desperately wanted to go back to and finish.”
She said completing the 18month course would change not only her life, but the lives of her children.
“It was really tough, my boys had to sacrifice a lot. Sometimes I wondered if it was worth it, but my eldest son is starting high school next year and I thought it was good timing for me to finish now and have a new career so I can be better able to support him,” she said.
TAFE awarded Ms LewisStapleton with the Myra Sessions Award for commitment, determination and enthusiasm to learning under exceptional circumstances. She was one of 70 graduates who collected their diplomas, certificate III or certificate IV last night.
Graduates were from a wide range of courses, including health care, nursing, hospitality, cookery, hairdressing, beauty, sport development and horticulture.