A proud moment at Parliament House

A reflection from Joe Ormeno, Chief Executive Officer, The Gordon

Standing in the historic halls of Parliament House alongside the Hon. Gayle Tierney, Minister for Skills and TAFE, I was reminded once again of the incredible impact our students have — not just in their chosen fields, but as representatives of the best of Victorian skills and training.

We were there to honour Victoria’s WorldSkills gold medallists, and it was a special privilege to see The Gordon’s own Charlotte Follett recognised for her outstanding achievement: winning gold in Floristry at the 2025 National Championships.

Charlotte’s success story is inspiring on many levels. She is an apprentice at Jacinta’s Flower Studio in East Geelong, trained under the guidance of The Gordon’s talented floristry teacher, Dayne Robinson. Beyond her technical skills, Charlotte’s journey is about courage — stepping out of her comfort zone, embracing pressure, and pushing herself to new heights.

As Charlotte herself said:

Winning gold at WorldSkills has been an incredible experience and something I’ll never forget. The competition was out of my comfort zone and pushed me to a new level with my skill. I’m proud to represent Geelong and Victoria on a national stage.

Her words capture the essence of what we strive for at The Gordon: giving students the tools, the confidence, and the opportunities to excel — not just in the classroom, but in life.

Charlotte’s achievement is a shining example of the transformative power of TAFE. It shows how world-class training, dedicated mentors, and a supportive community can help individuals realise their potential and, in doing so, inspire others to aim higher.

On behalf of everyone at The Gordon, congratulations Charlotte and our other medal winners. You’ve made us proud, and you’ve shown Australia the exceptional talent that comes from Geelong and from TAFE.

— Joe Ormeno, Chief Executive Officer, The Gordon