2008 Tasmanian Training Awards Souvenir Programme [PDF 3.5MB]
Apprentice of the Year - Matthew Barwick
Certificate III in Construction (Carpentry & Joinery)
RTO: TAFE Tasmania
Matthew is 23 years old and lives in Hadspen.
He is a Site Foreman Carpenter for award winning design and construction firm cb&m design solutions. He has a specialist role in construction and onsite project management of premium designer homes and his current project is the construction of a 7.5 star energy rated boutique home in Port Sorell.
Matthew was active in his local football club until recently when he began focusing on work within the Tasmanian Scuba diving Club. Through the Tasmanian Government’s Fish Wise fund, the Scuba club has been charged with collecting important data on the advance of invasive species of Tasmania’s waters.
Matthew’s employers actively encourage involvement with community and preservation projects.
Trainee of the Year - Florence Wren
Certificate IV in Hospitality (Supervision)
RTO: MEGT (Australia) Ltd
Employer: MEGT (Australia) Ltd
Host employer; Hong Kong Restaurant
Current employer: Lenna of Hobart
Florence is 19 years old and lives in Moonah. She moved to Tasmania from England four years ago with her father.
When she finished year 12, Florence decided to take a year off from study then go to University to do engineering or surveying. However, during her year off she discovered a passion for the hospitality industry. Her career path is set out, with her penultimate and ultimate goals of being a general manager, then owner, of a hotel.
In her spare time Florence enjoys exploring Tasmania and helping out with various community festivals.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year - Olive Ralph
Certificate IV in Visual Art and Contemporary Craft
RTO: TAFE Tasmania
DOB 19 April 1945
Olive lives in Somerset.
Olive is currently enrolled in Certificate IV in Visual Art and Contemporary Craft, specialising in ceramics. Olive chose to study the arts because of a fascination with making objects. Olive is committed to helping others in the Aboriginal community and is involved in the Elders care program. She is a member of the Aboriginal Speakers’ Program and shares her people’s knowledge and culture with school students.
Olive was an Aboriginal Health Worker in Burnie the 1990s and, while living in Launceston, worked at the Crisis Centre for homeless people.
Vocational Student of the Year - Laura Brothers
Certificate IV in Training & Assessment
Diploma of Training & Assessment
RTO: Jenard Training & Personnel
Laura is 23 years old and is employed as a Project Officer by the Tasmanian Government Department of infrastructure, Energy & Resources in Hobart. However it is for her volunteer work with Surf Life Saving Tasmania that Laura undertook her training courses.
Laura has been involved with Surf Life Saving Tasmania since 1998, initially as a competitor and more recently as a trainer. She has developed training programs that meet the needs of members and has also taken on the role of State Education Advisor.
Laura’s involvement with surf life saving extends to training and educating migrants. This training brings challenges such as language and gender barriers and cultural expectations.
VET in Schools Student of the Year - Taylor Downes
Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation
Taylor is 17 years old and is a student at Rosny College. She completed the VET Outdoor course which helped her gain experience which led to her achieving the Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation.
As well as allowing her to explore future work in the outdoor recreation industry, the course has enabled her to develop many important life skills. As well as her main qualification, Taylor has combined her studies with Photography Production. She received an environment award from the Bellerive Rotary Club and achieved a TER score which has secured her a position at UTAS to undertake a Bachelor of Human Movement, specialising in Outdoor Education.
School-based Apprentice of the Year - Melanie McCoy
Certificate III in Children’s Services
Melanie is 18 years old and a student at St Brendan-Shaw College in Devonport. She is trained by Stepping Ahead Training and Development and works at the Stepping Stones Childcare Centre.
Working with children and assisting them develop has always provided Melanie with real satisfaction, therefore her school-based apprenticeship was a perfect opportunity to undertake a qualification in a field she was passionate about.
Melanie participates in school sports, is a member of her school charity group “Vinnies” and is an accomplished pianist.
Employer of the Year - Australian Bulk Minerals
As an organisation, Australian Bulk Minerals (ABM) sees itself as entrepreneurial and innovative with a work smarter, can-do, push-the-envelope, never give up attitude!
ABM is a significant player in Australia’s mining sector and has long-term supply contracts with steel producers in Australia and Asia.
ABM embraces training as an investment for the future; creating effective links between people, resources, technology, structure, culture and processes to build cost effective solutions to meet business challenges at all levels.
Small Business of the Year - Newstead Hair
Newstead Hair was an established hairdressing salon when Julia Carey became owner/manager in 2006. At just 23 years of age she employs six apprentices, nine seniors and two receptionists. The training of apprentices is of the utmost priority. It is such an integral part of the culture at Newstead Hair that it is viewed as a key future direction for the company.
At the recent Tasmanian Hairdressing Awards, Newstead Hair was awarded Salon of the Year.
Training Initiative Award AND Registered Training Organisation of the Year - Industrylink Training and Recruitment
Industrylink Training and Recruitment was founded on the belief that the hospitality sector required a skilled and passionate workforce. Nicholas Platon, founder of Industrylink, saw that in Tasmania the industry was not recognised as a serious career path and was determined to change that mindset. When the company was formed in 2006 there were just three employees working out of a terrace house in Battery Point. Within two years that company has grown into a business with its own classrooms, library and offices for its management and staff. In March this year Industrylink Training and Recruitment opened its own restaurant and training facility in its new premises in the heart of the city.
