Premier recognises Gordon students

2025-07-04

Two exceptional students from The Gordon have been honoured with Premier’s VCE Awards for achieving the highest VCE marks in their respective vocational education subjects.

Rebecca (Bec) Pitt has been awarded the Premier’s Award for VCE VET Laboratory Skills, while Dana Mackay received the Premier’s Award for VCE VET Furniture Making. Both students were formally recognised at the 2025 Premier’s Awards ceremony in Melbourne on 2 July for achieving the highest score in their subjects.

Bec, a student at Belmont High School, completed her Laboratory Skills training under the guidance of Gordon teachers Janine Dean and Janelle Glass.

"Bec demonstrated an incredible commitment to her learning and a real passion for science," said VET teacher, Janine Dean. "Her ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings set her apart—we’re incredibly proud of her achievement."

Dana, who completed Year 12 at Sacred Heart College last year, undertook her VET Furniture Making studies with Gordon teacher Mark Dries.

"Dana showed great creativity, determination, and technical skill throughout her course," said Mark Dries. "Winning this award is a well-deserved recognition of her hard work and future potential in the industry."

Image of Premier's Award honouree Dana Mackay with VET Furniture Making (The Gordon) teacher Mark Dries
image of Premier’s Award honouree Rebecca (Bec) Pitt with Gordon teachers Janine Dean and Janelle Glass

Joe Ormeno, Chief Executive Officer of The Gordon, congratulated both students on their remarkable achievement.

“There’s a quiet power in learning by doing — and Bec and Dana have shown how transformative that can be. Their recognition in the Premier’s VCE Awards highlights what’s possible when vocational learning starts early and connects to real-world skills,” Mr Ormeno said.

“The Gordon is proud to partner with local schools to open doors sooner, giving students the confidence and capability to thrive. In our labs and workshops, they don’t just learn — they discover what their futures can hold. At a time when Victoria needs skilled talent, this is a powerful reminder of what high-quality VET delivers.”

Dana agrees. She said: “I’ve always had a passion for creative activities. Studying Furniture Making at The Gordon allowed me to follow this and go further. Through completing this course, I discovered many new pathways and opportunities. Winning this award truly validates the hard work and time I put into this subject and is a great honour.”

Bec said the award was a proud moment and a reflection of the support she received throughout her studies.


Studying Lab Skills at The Gordon was a fantastic insight into the practical side of STEM and helped me gain confidence in science, I’m proud of what I achieved and incredibly grateful for my teachers' support. They provided excellent resources and the course ran just like a professional lab, with the same equipment and procedures that I saw during work experience.
-- Rebecca (Bec) Pitt


These prestigious awards are a testament to the dedication and talent of The Gordon’s students, the expertise of their teachers, and the strength of the partnerships between The Gordon and local secondary schools.

It’s also the second time a Gordon Laboratory Skills student and Furniture Making student have received a Premier's Award for these studies.

At The Gordon, there are almost 2,000 students from 65 secondary schools in the VET Delivered to School Students program. Each week, 124 classes are held across 9 different locations. The Gordon’s curriculum includes ‘scored assessments’ in 10 different VET programs. Achieving the highest score in the state for two of these subjects showcases The Gordon’s place as a leading education provider. 

315 of Victoria’s top performing students were recognised at this year’s Premier’s VCE Awards, including three international students, seven students who completed the VCE Vocational Major program with distinction, and 23 Top All-Round VCE High Achievers who achieved study scores of 46 or higher out of 50 in at least five VCE subjects.


To view the full Honour Roll and to read more about the Premier’s VCE Awards, visit:
https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-vce-awards