PAL Awards 2026: Celebrating the Power of Applied Learning
Young people, families, educators, industry and community leaders came together on Tuesday 20 October for the 2026 Peninsula Applied Learning (PAL) Awards, celebrating the achievements of applied learning students from across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.
Co-hosted by the Peninsula Applied Learning (PAL) Association and the Frankston Mornington Peninsula Local Learning and Employment Network (FMPLLEN), the annual awards recognise the effort, growth, resilience and achievements of students undertaking applied learning pathways.
But more than an awards night, the PAL Awards are a celebration of the many different ways young people can succeed.
Throughout the evening, students were recognised across the Excellence, Achievement and Industry Award categories, with their stories highlighting determination, leadership, personal growth, hands-on learning, community involvement and meaningful engagement with industry.
Behind every student recognised was also a network of people who helped make their journey possible — families who encouraged them, educators who believed in them, schools that created opportunities and employers who opened their workplaces and shared their knowledge.
Celebrating outstanding partnerships
The evening also recognised the schools and industry partners helping to strengthen applied learning across our region.
Pt Leo Estate received the Industry Partnership Award, recognising its outstanding commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people and promoting careers in hospitality and tourism.
FMPLLEN’s partnership with Pt Leo Estate began in 2022, when Ainslie Lubbock and Sudeep Chhabra spoke with students at Mt Eliza Secondary College about careers in the industry. Their enthusiasm made an immediate impact and has grown into an ongoing partnership.
Pt Leo Estate continues to support young people through initiatives including FMPLLEN Careers Expos and, in 2026, hosting the Careers in Hospitality and Tourism Forum for local school networks.
The School Best Practice Award was presented to McClelland College, recognising its commitment to high-quality applied learning and creating engaging opportunities that connect learning with the real world.
Patterson River Secondary College also received a commendation for its contribution to best practice in applied learning.
Supported by our community
We were honoured to welcome Zoe McKenzie MP, Chris Crewther MP and Jodie Belyea MP to the evening.
Their attendance was an important show of support for our students and for the role applied learning plays in helping young people build confidence, discover their strengths and create meaningful pathways into further education, training and employment.
The PAL Awards would also not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors and supporters. Their investment allows us to celebrate the achievements of young people while demonstrating that applied learning pathways are valued by our broader community.
We also extend our thanks to the schools, teachers and educators who work alongside young people every day; to the families who encourage and support them; and to our industry partners and employers who provide the real-world experiences that can change the direction of a young person’s life.
Putting young people at the centre
At the heart of the PAL Awards are the students themselves.
Every award represented a different story. For some, it was about outstanding achievement. For others, it was persistence, finding confidence, overcoming challenges, discovering a passion or taking an important step towards employment or further study.
Together, those stories demonstrate the power of applied learning in our region.
The 2026 PAL Awards were a wonderful reminder of what can happen when schools, families, industry and community work together around a young person — recognising their strengths, providing meaningful opportunities and supporting them to build a future that works for them.
To every student recognised at the 2026 PAL Awards — we are incredibly proud to celebrate your achievements and look forward to seeing where your pathway takes you next.
