CHILDCARE ASSISTANT WINS STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
Breanna Pilon, Childcare Assistant at Rainbow Cottage Childcare Centre has been named the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year at the 2025 Western Region NSW Training Awards.
Breanna started as a Skillset trainee hosted by Dubbo Regional Council and Rainbow Cottage Childcare Centre with the goal to complete Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Throughout her training Breanna showed exceptional dedication, leadership and diligence. Breanna has completed her traineeship and since become a permanent employee at Rainbow Cottage Childcare late last year.
“I was very surprised to be nominated for the award and even more surprised when they read out my name as the winner. I felt really proud of my role in early childhood and working with children,” Rainbow Cottage Childcare Assistant Breanna Pilon said.
“I enjoy working in early childhood as no one day is the same. I love having different discussions with the children, as you don’t know what they are going to say, and I enjoy being creative and active with the kids.”
“I would recommend a traineeship to others as it is a hands-on approach to learning and not just through a textbook. You get to see firsthand how the children behave in certain events and how you can work with children to help them develop and learn,” Ms Pilon said.
Breanna Pilon is a remarkable young woman who has a deep passion for educating children and infusing Indigenous history and culture into their learning.
Rainbow Cottage Coordinator Briana Merchant said this award for Breanna is so well deserved and recognises her hard work and passion for early childhood.
“Breanna is a much-loved educator by the children at the centre as well as the parents and carers and we wish her all the best for the state awards late this year,” Ms Merchant said.
Breanna now qualifies for the NSW State Awards in Sydney in October.
Last Edited: 08 Jul 2025