TAFE NSW Grafton Graduate Scott Wright Wins Prestigious William Galvin Scholarship

ROBERT HEYWARD

TAFE NSW Grafton graduate and rising culinary star Scott Wright has been awarded the prestigious William R Galvin Memorial Scholarship, recognizing his exceptional dedication and passion for the tourism and hospitality industry.

The $5,000 scholarship, established in memory of TAFE NSW teacher William R Galvin OAM, supports outstanding students by providing access to advanced training, conferences, and study tours, empowering the next generation of industry leaders.

This year’s competition was highly competitive, resulting in a joint award, with Scott sharing the honour with fellow TAFE NSW graduate Mia Barclay, a Certifcate III in Cake and Pastry graduate from TAFE NSW Hamilton.

From Humble Beginnings to National Recognition

Scott’s culinary journey began humbly in his hometown of Yamba, washing dishes in a local restaurant.

Today, he works as a Chef at the Blaxland

Inn in Pokolbin, New South Wales, and credits his success to the transformative opportunities provided by TAFE NSW.

“This scholarship will make an enormous difference for me,” Scott shared. “With the rising cost of living, it will help me continue my studies and pursue my career goals.”

Scott candidly refected on his unconventional path.

“I wasn’t overly academic in school, but everything changed when I started working in a restaurant. I loved the heat, the chaos, and the precision of the kitchen. TAFE NSW gave me the tools to turn my passion into a career.”

During his studies, Scott excelled in a range of high-profle competitions, including:

• Competing in WorldSkills.

• Finalist in the Nestlé Golden Chef Hat Cookery Competition.

• Participation in the Fonterra Proud to be a Chef Mentoring Program.

• Winner of the TAFE NSW Apprentice of the Year Excellence Award.

Scott’s ambition extends beyond Australia. He aspires to work at Fallow, a celebrated London restaurant known for its sustainability and bold culinary ideas. He plans to use the scholarship to travel to London and learn from the restaurant’s renowned Head Chefs.

“Long-term, I want to return to Yamba, open an incredible restaurant, and bring world favors to my hometown,” Scott said.

A Teacher’s Perspective

Scott’s TAFE NSW teacher, Bernadette Ryan, praised his unwavering determination and passion.

“Scott’s story is one of resilience and drive. He overcame every challenge with enthusiasm, proving time and again that he belongs in one of the toughest trades. His passion is infectious, and I can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next.”

Scott’s achievements exemplify the transformative power of vocational education and highlight the potential of young Australian talent in the global hospitality industry.

Congratulations, Scott, on this welldeserved recognition!

I was snoozing on the grass, paws in air, sun on my tummy, dreaming about my ‘soon to be delivered’ lunch treat. ‘Mum Jane’ at times brings my bowl OUTSIDE for me so I don’t have to go far to eat it. I remained in my sunny reverie a little longer then vaguely heard a ‘peck-peck’ noise. (‘Leemo Cat’ here.) Aaaargh! It appears Mum & Dad magpie spied my bowl, gured I was undoubtedly ‘away with the birdies’ in a deep sleep, & it would be most wasteful not to consume what was in it. So they did. ‘Gobble gobble gobble, munch munch munch, Leemo’s fast asleep, so we’ll take his lunch’ whilst squawking with delight. I woke with a start & saw them ying o with full beaks. OMG! My bowl was pecked clean. How rude! I reckon I’ve got a valid & indisputable case of the to report, and rightfully so. ‘Mum, I wish to go the Police Station ‘cos my lunch was stolen.’ Oh dear, I’ve seen some, hmmm, “spellbindingly horrendous” looks on her pruney face in the past, but this one surpassed all of them. I thought she was going to faint. Eeeek! She recovered su ciently (a er tea & biks) to address my request. ‘Hmmm, Leems, this is indeed a dilemma; let’s have a chat before we go charging o to the Police Station.’ Hmmm, I sorta nodded OK. ‘Now Leems, are you aware of what day it is to-day?’ (I personally gure it’s just another day like any old day.) ‘Whaddya mean Mum?’ ‘Well my boy, TO-DAY is the rst day of the month of Christmas. AND, Leems, are you aware Christmas is a time that revolves around the concept of KINDNESS, GIVING & SHARING, be it gi s like a Puppy, Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh, a bale of hay, hugs, or even a Christmas pudding. I want you to give thought to the ‘birdies’ who ate your lunch.. OK? (Hmmm, I reckon this is dumb!) ‘Mum & Dad magpie most likely have a family of chicks to feed, so when they ate your lunch, they were not doing it ‘cos they were stealing or greedy; they ew o with your treats in their beaks and delivered it to their nest to feed the chicks. Kinda like when I go out to get food for you Leems; I bring it home and put it in your bowl for YOU to eat. Gottit?’ (Hmmm, I ‘spose she’s got a point. I surmised Mum COULD maybe eat it all herself but she instead gives it to meesie; oooh, how kind, what a nice warm purry feeling I have a er thinking deeply about this!) ‘So, Leems, as you appear unusually benign at this moment, tell me now what you plan to apply by using KINDNESS, GIVING & SHARING in your own thinking and actions, not just for Christmas, but all the time?’ (OMG! I reckon she’s typically NOW going too far. “ALL THE TIME?

Aaargh” Hmmm. A deep ponder is needed before I commit to anything so burdensome.) So, I had a ponder & spoke. ‘Right Mum, I acknowledge that at times I could share more & adopt more gracious behaviours. SO, every day I’m going to leave a ‘teensy’ amount of food in my bowl and push it outside for the magpies, meaning you need to put MORE food in my bowl to begin with. Pretty ni y huh! Su ce to say I’ll be doing my bit of kindness & stu . (I won’t TRY to describe the look on her face.) Many purrsies, Leemo.