24 September 2026
South Metropolitan TAFE was incredibly proud to have two winners at the 2026 WA Training Awards ceremony, held on 10 September at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Hosted by the Department of Training and Workforce Development, (DTWD), this prestigious awards night puts our state’s top achievers in the spotlight.
Our winners included Warona Machingaifa, who was awarded the WA International Student of the Year 2026, and Breanna (Bree) Zoethout, who was awarded the WA Vocational Student of the Year 2026.
Warona’s training journey has helped her to shape a clear and purposeful career path in community services, and reinforced her passion for helping individuals build safety, stability and hope for the future.
An international student from South Africa, Warona has family connections in Zimbabwe and Botswana. She says that her culturally diverse background helps her to offer meaningful cultural understanding to others.
Warona completed three qualifications at South Metropolitan TAFE, including the Certificate III in Community Services, Certificate IV in Community Services, then progressing to the Diploma of Community Services.
This has been a life-changing pathway for her, and throughout her training she applied her learning across youth, disability and justice settings.
Now undertaking a Bachelor of Community Services, Warona has a goal to become a caseworker in child protection where she can advocate for vulnerable people and contribute to more inclusive communities.
Our second winner, Bree, undertook the Diploma of Events Management at South Metropolitan TAFE.
With a strong passion for women in sport, Bree had a dream to work in women’s football. During her training, she kept her dream in mind and set to work developing core competencies as an events professional in her course.
The highlight of Bree’s journey was securing employment at Football West during her training, achieving her career objective of working in women’s football.
She also secured the opportunity to work alongside the Sam Kerr Football Centre venue team and the Perth Glory women’s team on match days, gaining exposure to elite sport environments.
“I am proud to represent vocational education through the way I approach my work and professional development. My training at South Metropolitan TAFE has equipped me with practical, industry-relevant skills that I apply daily within the events industry,” Bree said.
Bree’s journey of growth and resilience demonstrates how dreams can come to life through vocational training.
On behalf of the team at South Metropolitan TAFE, congratulations Warona and Bree, and we wish you every continued success in the future.
Want to train at South Metropolitan TAFE?
Follow Warona’s path and forge your career in community services. Gain skills to become a community worker, youth worker or family support worker.
Begin your training with an introductory course such as the CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services.
Further develop your skills with the CHC42021 Certificate IV in Community Services, which is currently fee free.* Advance your skills with the CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services.
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Check out our courses in Community Services(opens in a new tab) .
Or, walk in Bree’s footsteps and gain skills to become an events professional.
Begin with the SIT30522 Certificate III in Events, which is currently fee free*. Advance your skills with the SIT50322 Diploma of Event Management.
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Check out our courses in Events.(opens in a new tab) .
*This course is fee free** for residents of Western Australia. Some eligibility conditions apply for the fee free training and other fees may apply for some courses. Please refer to the FAQs(opens in a new tab) for more information.
**Please note that eligibility requirements apply to some of the fee free training.
Warona is presented her award by the Director General of the Department of Training and Workforce Development Jodie Wallace.
Bree receives her award from the Director General of the Department of Training and Workforce Development Jodie Wallace.
Warona won the WA International Student of the Year 2026 at the WA Training Awards.
Bree won the WA Vocational Student of the Year 2026 at the WA Training Awards.
Warona (centre) was also the winner of International Student of the Year at the SM TAFE Student Awards earlier this year.
Bree (second from right) was a finalist in the Vocational Student of the Year category at the SM TAFE Student Awards.