Meet our teachers
Stella Georgiou - Beauty professional
Christine Lanham -& Alex Thorogood - Renewable energy professionals
Gaille Perry - Animal science professional
Oliver Squires - Hospitality professional
Kim Walters - Nursing professional
Stella Georgiou
Beauty Professional
Stella is a home grown TAFE success story. Stellla completed her Beauty Therapy training with TAFE in 1989. She graduated in May, travelled the world and came back to open her own salon - Giorgio Wynnum Hair and Beauty. In 2000, Stella sold her business to share her extensive knowledge and experience with students at TAFE. Since joining the TAFE team Stella has taught not only Beauty therapy but also Retail and Hospitality. Stella has international experience in fashion, photography, hair and make up. Stella has extensive experience as a TV spokesperson and has appeared most recently on Channel 9's Extra. She is always willing to go the extra mile.
"I love teaching! Working with students to grow their skills is extremely energising and rewarding."
Christine Lanham & Alex Thorogood
Renewable Energy & Environment professionals
Chris has been dedicated to teaching Renewable Energy and Sustainability for the past twelve years and teaching for the past 18 years. She has a passion for working with her students to help them develop a motivation for learning and striving to become the best they can be.
Chris has recently driven across the country in a program called "Desert Trek". The Trek was to promote renewable energy and sustainability and was achieved by driving a used vegetable oil powered vehicle some 11,108 km through three deserts and on less than $100.00 of diesel. The vehicle was self sustaining in energy with an onboard solar system to run fridges etc. The journey took Chris and her colleague to remote areas in Australia and achieved approximately 46 presentations on renewable energy and sustainability in six weeks.
Over the past 27 years, Alex has gained experience working in fields stretching from electrical and electronics engineering through to alternative energies and sustainability.
His experience includes working in most states of Australia and in a number of overseas locations including China, England and South Africa.
Alex's most recent experience was as a design engineer for an international organisation focusing on efficiency and alternative energy systems.
His experience has enabled him to mix industry technology with appropriate learning in the classroom. He actively promotes renewable energy and sustainability and has recently travelled across Australia on alternative fuel promoting renewable energy and awareness in such issues as climate change. A commitment to sustainability has seen himself and his partner develop a web site to promote training and to act as a learning aid.
Alex's most recent international experience was teaching Electronic engineering in Shanghai at SSPU.
He said "his greatest reward as a teacher is to see his students succeed both in industry and in life". "Education should excite and light the fire of possibility".
Gaille Perry
Animal science professional
After graduating with a veterinary science degree from University of Queensland, Gaille worked in mixed veterinary practice for 10 years before joining TAFE.
A long term interest in animal behaviour led to a membership by examination of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in 1992 followed by several years as an examiner and the secretary of the behaviour chapter of the college. A PhD in behaviour followed in 1999.
To maintain her professional experience, Gaille has worked at the Sydney Animal Behaviour Service for 8 years as a behavioural consultant and has played an integral role in the training of dog training instructors for over 10 years through the Delta Society, Australia.
Gaille is a consultant to the RSPCA Queensland on matters relating to animal behaviour and is a frequent speaker at their state and national conferences.
Oliver Squires
Hospitality professional
Swiss Born qualified Chef and Chocolatier Oliver Squires is a principal teacher in Hospitality.
Oliver has received an Australia Day Achievement Award for introducing the day release college system into Queensland for cookery apprentices, giving employers and apprentices a choice of attending college one day per week instead of a six week block for their technical training.
Oliver has been a judge with Redland Signature dish for the last 3 years.
Oliver also founded the chef's table events where experienced and high profile chefs visit TAFE to teach apprentices their own recipes and techniques
"I love seeing the fruits of my labours. It gives me great pride to see my students become successful chefs, travel the world and come back to Australia to share that knowledge with the next generation of apprentices."
Kim Walters
Nursing professional
Prior to joining TAFE as a teacher Kim had worked as a nurse for the past 15 years.
She has been employed as a Registered Nurse with the Wesley Hospital, the Red Cross and Durack Medical Centre.
Kim also has extensive experience in aged care working for 10 years as an AIN in Nursing homes and Aged care hostels.
Kim decided to start her teaching career last year because she loved mentoring student nurses while she worked on various hospital wards. Her teaching skills were recognised by the hospital who gave her the role of inducting and monitoring students on the practical placement.
"I find it a privilege to be able to be part of my students learning experience. I am as proud of their achievements as if they had been my own."
Other languages