Rising star in early childhood named Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student of the year

In a powerful celebration of commitment, culture and educational excellence, Breanna Pilon, Childcare Assistant at Rainbow Cottage Childcare Centre in Dubbo, has been awarded the prestigious Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year at the 2025 Western Region NSW Training Awards.

Breanna’s journey into early childhood education began as a trainee through Skillset, hosted by Dubbo Regional Council and Rainbow Cottage. Undertaking a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, she consistently demonstrated dedication, leadership, and a passion for nurturing young minds.

Since completing her traineeship, Breanna has become a permanent educator at Rainbow Cottage, where her impact is already deeply felt by children, families, and colleagues alike.

“I was very surprised to be nominated for the award and even more surprised when they read out my name as the winner,” Breanna shared following the announcement. “I felt really proud of my role in early childhood and working with children.”

Breanna describes her love for the profession as rooted in the dynamic nature of early learning. “No one day is the same. I love having different discussions with the children. You don’t know what they are going to say. I enjoy being creative and active with the kids.”

Her advice to others considering a career in early learning? Consider a traineeship. “It’s a hands-on approach to learning not just through a textbook. You get to see firsthand how the children behave in certain events and how you can help them develop and learn.”

A strong advocate for integrating culture into curriculum, Breanna brings Indigenous perspectives into her practice, enriching learning experiences and helping to build cultural awareness from the earliest years.

Rainbow Cottage Coordinator Briana Merchant praised Breanna’s contributions and her growing leadership in the sector. “This award 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 later this year.”

Breanna now progresses to the NSW State Training Awards, to be held in Sydney in October a further opportunity to showcase the talent and potential within the early childhood profession. Learn more about Rainbow Cottage Childcare Centre here.

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