Meet our teachers

At BNIT, our students learn from the best! BNIT's teachers stand out: supportive and friendly with high level skills, extensive experience and the ability to impart valuable knowledge and nurture creativity. From a vast range of industry backgrounds, each is a professional in their field. Dedicated to the best in education, they all regularly return to industry to ensure BNIT students receive up-to-the-minute training. Plus they love what they do!

We invite you to meet them...

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Carly Hanson
Justice Teacher

'I have worked in the private legal and justice sector for the last ten years. I was first introduced to this field through a traineeship with TAFE! I have also qualified for admission as a Solicitor with the Supreme Court of Queensland.

I am engaged with industry as a volunteer legal support officer with the Women's Legal Service once a month. I am also a member of the Queensland Law Society and regularly attend their seminars and workshops, which focus on current issues and changes in the law.

BNIT is great for justice as it is the only training provider which offers programs in justice administration via distance and face-to-face, with courses specifically designed to cater for students wishing to enter the Queensland Police Service.

The best thing about teaching is when I get to advise students that they have been marked as competent in their assessments! I also love hearing from students about how their studies at BNIT have helped them achieve their goals and begin a career in the justice sector.'

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Michael Harris
IT Networking Teacher

'Prior to teaching, I worked for several years as a Digital Systems Design Engineer for a large international company added to 10 years in community services. My most enjoyable work was working with 'at-risk' young people.

Teaching at BNIT affords interaction with such a diverse grouping of people of all ages and backgrounds. I enjoy the practical, hands-on methods used to educate and train. The future of ICT is both challenging and fun and BNIT's course helps students discover that.

I also really enjoy seeing students grow in their own self-confidence and belief as they acquire new skills and abilities, both in ICT and personally as they relate with the teaching team and their peers.

ICT is such a rapidly changing industry and my key method for staying in touch with industry is maintaining numerous subscriptions to newsgroups, webinars and other ICT-related journals and magazines.

BNIT has practical training that is both enjoyable and relevant, and well regarded by local employers. This semester, around 20% of our Diploma graduates found full-time work in the industry before they had even completed their studies.'

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Michael Norton
Business and Management Teacher

'I have taught at BNIT for the past 22 years. However, I was once a Social Science high school teacher. After leaving this profession, I worked as a manager with the Rural Youth Organisation (Qld) as their Assistant State Secretary for a number of years. I am currently a leader in the Uniting Church which I attend in the role as a Church Councillor and Elder.

I am currently the Chair of the Business Teaching and Learning Network for Business, Finance and Justice teachers across TAFE Queensland. 

I like working with students and especially get a buzz when I see them develop into confident men and women about to enter the workforce, apply for promotion, or embark on a new career. 

I recall one graduate who came to us as a very insecure mature aged woman and mother. She left this program as a confident lady who topped the course!

I would recommend for any student to study at BNIT because of its enthusiastic teaching staff who promote the creation of a satisfying learning experience. We also have a high percentage of business graduates who are successful in gaining jobs or are able to articulate into university study in their chosen discipline.

What can I say; I love my job!'

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Lynda Roberts
Aged Care Teacher

'Prior to teaching, I worked as a Registered Nurse for many years. I have also watched my parents, parents-in-law and other relatives use aged care services. 

I draw on my experience as a Registered Nurse and am now a close observer of aged care to help structure the course in a way that industry wants and needs.

I see some of my most successful graduates as the mature-aged students who come to BNIT, not having studied for a long time and who are totally lacking confidence in their ability. To be able to help such students obtain employment after six months in an area where you know their life skills will be invaluable, is very pleasing and students are very grateful for the help they receive.

I think we have it all at BNIT when it comes to aged care. We have various options to choose from and allow greater flexibility for our students via a flexible course delivery structure. The aged care team is committed to providing well-trained staff in order to graduate students with promising career outcomes.'

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Vicki Pinches
Fitness Teacher

'I have worked in the fitness industry for the last 17 years and still teach Body Balance and Body Step in local fitness clubs. 

I love the variety at BNIT and the fact that no two days are the same! I enjoy sharing my knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for fitness with our students and get great satisfaction from seeing them achieve their goals and pursue a career in the fitness industry.

Receiving an Australia Day Achievement Award this year was just amazing, I felt really honoured and still can't believe I was nominated. I believe success is a real team effort; I enjoyed the opportunity to share my award (and a tim tam or two) with the people who make my job so enjoyable every day.  

BNIT has great facilities, passionate and committed staff who can offer students an exciting and rewarding learning experience. I think we offer a real 'hands on' experience; where else can you spend a day at the gym or on the beach doing boot camp; now that's my idea of fun!'

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Gareth Lee
Cookery Teacher

'As a qualified chef I have worked in cafés, restaurants and 5 star international hotels. As a teacher I have previously worked in the private sector were I was the Head Trainer for Cookery in one of Queensland's biggest private RTO's.

I have the privilege of doing my currency at e'cco Bistro in the Brisbane CBD, which is owned and operated by one of Brisbane's best known chefs. This opportunity allows me to observe cutting edge food trends, modern cookery techniques and networking with fine chefs.

On my first shift at e'cco, one of the apprentices introduced himself and said he was a student at BNIT. He stated with enthusiasm that he thought his teacher was excellent and that the chefs at BNIT were very inspirational. I felt immense pride at the fact that BNIT had educated an apprentice capable of working with Brisbane's best.

BNIT boasts a dedicated team of brilliant chefs who are exceptional teachers. A student can be assured that they will have the best equipment and ingredients available with which to learn. We also have exceptional learning resources that are current, easy to use and interesting.  Our teachers are student focused and as such we endeavour to nurture our students to bring out their potential.

It is a great privilege to be part of a team that delivers dynamic programs that have the capacity to inspire students to be the best that they can be.'

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Lisa Hamilton
Event Management Teacher

'Prior to teaching I had a rewarding twenty-three year career within the hospitality, tourism and events sectors. I held managerial positions within major hotel chains in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth. 

I really enjoy working with the students and seeing them progress through the course. The best part is when they stay in touch and let me know of their successful career path!

It was a great honour to be awarded the 2010 Australia Day Achievement Award for exemplary classroom practices and modelling organisational and departmental values.

In addition to doing work experience with the students twice per year, I actively participate in 'release to industry' and consult with local event professionals to foster innovation within our programs. 

I highly recommend the event programs at BNIT as they are very practical with a lot of hands-on experience with exposure to live events.'

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Robyn Jones
Interior Decoration Teacher

'Prior to joining BNIT, I owned my own soft furnishings company specialising in custom made curtains and bedding. I continue to run and operate my own interior decorating business so I am in constant contact with many clients, manufacturers and suppliers to the design industry.

The highlight of my career was being asked to teach full-time as this was always my passion in life and to show others how much fun it is to be creative. I love sharing my decorating experiences with the students but I also get real joy out of seeing them soak up the information we impart and watch them apply it to their assignments and then out in the workplace.

We have many successful graduates, some who have started their own businesses and others who have taken up high profile roles in interior decorating. One student has become the marketing manager of the Queensland Interior Decorators Association.

I would most definitely recommend BNIT to any student because we ensure that BNIT delivers the most current and up-to-date programs that have been created through liaising directly with industry. As a teacher of BNIT, I personally take great interest in my students and work with them to ensure a high level of success is achieved whilst they are studying.'

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Andrew Milner
Horticulture Teacher

'I have been teaching horticulture programs for over 15 years at BNIT. My life before teaching included work within the nursery and the landscape industries.

What I like most about teaching is the satisfaction of seeing students graduating from courses with plenty of new horticultural knowledge and skills, that gives them confidence to help gain them employment in the horticulture industry.

Over the years, it was a highlight to win several garden display competition awards with student groups at industry events.

As a member of the nursery and gardening industry I have the opportunity to engage with industry by attending training and workshops throughout the year. I've also been awarded the title of Certified Nursery Professional through the NGIA (Nursery Garden Industry Australia).

I highly recommend BNIT as it offers both experienced teaching staff in horticulture and industry accredited facilities that provide a high level of student training.'

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Kevin Westerdale
Travel and Tourism Teacher

'I was an operations manager for a wholesale airline ticketing supplier for more than seven years prior to teaching, although I am still in the travel industry in a big way. I currently run my own franchise travel agency and also have my own business running soccer tours overseas.

I love being in the classroom meeting new students and teaching them about the wonderful industry they are about to become a part of.

One of the biggest highlights was when BNIT were named the Best Registered Travel Industry Training Institution at the 2010 AFTA National Travel Industry Awards. We were also finalists in 2009 and are current finalists in 2011 so we know we have the best team, the best course and more importantly, we know the travel industry fully endorses BNIT tourism.

I keep myself updated in the latest tourism news, technology and product knowledge - I then pass this updated knowledge on to the students at BNIT. In addition, I talk with other industry partners on a regular basis especially in the area of employment for our graduates.

I actually graduated through BNIT in 1996 and I have had a fantastic career in tourism for over 15 years. So I would most definitely recommend BNIT to any potential students and the simple reason is this - we are the best!

If you want to work in an industry where you can travel the world, socialise, learn new things every day, run your own business, experience fantastic discounted travel and make dreams come true for your clients,  this is the industry for you. Come and see us at BNIT and make the right move!'