Students win doghouse awards

Woy Woy resident Jason Vass and Umina resident Kurt Pridehave won three awards in the TAFE NSW Doghouse Challenge.

The two North Sydney College students took out the RSPCA Special Award, the Best Teamwork Award and the Packing Award at the challenge held at TAFE's Lidcombe College on October 25.

Eight teams of trade students from TAFE NSW campuses in Sydney and the Hunter took part in the competition to build the best designer doghouse.

TAFE NSW donated the finished kennels to the RSPCA to help them raise money for their work finding new homes for dogs in need.

RSPCA NSW chief executive officer Mr Steve Coleman said the Doghouse Challenge was a great help and fundraising opportunity for the RSPCA.

"We are very proud to be associated with the TAFE NSW Doghouse Challenge," Mr Coleman said.

"It's a wonderful event that celebrates creativity, ingenuity and team work.

"The finished masterpieces are auctioned to help us raise funds so we can continue to protect all creatures great and small."

The TAFE NSW Doghouse Challenge is now in its 5th year.

Each team consists of two apprentices at different stages and their TAFE teacher as a mentor and industry expert.

The North Sydney and Hornsby team got the "seal of approval" from both human and animal judges including RSPCA dogs Coconut, Ben and Trooper.

Each team was given a set amount of materials, donated by a hardware chain, and then students used their specialist trade skills learnt at TAFE and their own creativity to come up with the winning doghouse design.

Students' designs were judged by industry experts from TAFE NSW on criteria such as team skills, design and originality.

Press release, 30 Oct 2007 Rebecca Flood, TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute