Mini vic.gov.au

This is a low bandwidth version of vic.gov.au. Contents may not be up to date. © Copyright State Government of Victoria

Margaret O’Rourke OAM

2025 Outstanding Achievement in the TAFE and Skills Sector Award recipient

2025 Outstanding Achievement in the TAFE and Skills Sector Award - Margaret O’Rourke OAM

Margaret O’Rourke OAM, received the Outstanding Achievement in the TAFE and Skills Sector award for her visionary and strategic leadership, with contributions to the sector that have been both transformative and far-reaching.

Marg has had a long and enduring association with Bendigo Kangan Institute, including as Board Chair. As a champion of access, equity, diversity and quality training and education, Marg was the driving force behind an ambitious reform agenda that successfully responded to changing community and workforce needs, and led to operational excellence, improved student outcomes, a competitive edge and financial sustainability for Bendigo Kangan Institute.

Marg was instrumental in significant infrastructure modernisation projects across both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, to improve access to vocational education, enhance the learning experience for students and address critical skills shortages. This included the $60 million Bendigo City Campus revitalisation, the $6.8 million Broadmeadows Trade and Skills Centre, and the $60 million Broadmeadows Health and Community Centre of Excellence.

She prioritised equity and inclusion through significant support for disadvantaged learners, including support for at-risk youth; a Reconciliation Action Plan, to embed cultural respect into the institute’s operations; and English language intensive courses, attracting a range of international students and contributing to the institute’s growth and diversity.

Marg’s leadership has also supported the institute’s global footprint and reputation, and enhanced Australia’s skills training profile abroad. Under her stewardship, Bendigo Kangan Institute earned both national and international recognition and was the 2022 Victorian and Australian Large Training Provider of the Year.

Marg’s influence and positive impact extends well beyond Bendigo Kangan Institute. As a former Chair of Regional Cities Victoria, she played a key role in local government and raising awareness on regional issues such as workforce planning, ensuring alignment of VET with local community needs. Her leadership through BKI of VETASSESS, Australia’s leading skills assessment provider, has helped address critical workforce shortages by supporting skilled migration and workforce development. She was also a former Mayor and Councillor of Greater Bendigo.

In 2024, Marg was the recipient of an Order of Australia Medal in recognition of her outstanding service to education, rural development and the community.

Marg has demonstrated exceptional and authentic leadership, dedication, advocacy and an enduring commitment to equitable access to vocational education and training. Her influence has not only reshaped educational practice, but it has changed perceptions of VET and improved lives, particularly for regional communities.

About the award

The Outstanding Achievement in the TAFE and Skills Sector Award (previously known as the Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement) is presented in recognition of an individual’s outstanding leadership and contribution to the Victorian TAFE and training sector for more than 15 years.

Recipients of this prestigious award have reached a pinnacle of their profession or industry and have demonstrated long standing commitment and outstanding leadership in the Victorian TAFE and training sector.

Updated 19 September 2025

About the VIC Government

Grants and programs

Jobs and careers

Arts, culture and heritage

Business and the workplace

Communities

Education and training

Environment, water and energy

Finance and economy

Health and social support

Housing and property

Law and justice

Safety and emergencies

Science and technology

Sport and recreation

Traffic and transport

Working in the Victorian Government