Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the Darling Downs South West region.
Winners were announced at the regional final:
When
Friday 26 July 2019
Where
Gatton Shire Hall
View the Darling Downs South West regional final dinner program (PDF, 1.3MB).
The Darling Downs South West region thanks their sponsors.
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Construction Skills Queensland
Regional winner: Ellie Farrington
Qualification: Certificate III in Carpentry
Training provider: Blue Dog Training Pty Ltd
Employer: Valdal Projects
With a passion for the built environment, Ellie Farrington started out studying architecture at university. Feeling that she was learning about design without any knowledge of construction, Ellie decided to change that. After switching to and completing a Bachelor of Mathematics, Ellie sought out a carpentry apprenticeship and hasn't looked back. Ellie's ultimate goal is to provide her clients with a seamless process from initial design to final building handover.
Regional finalists
Jack Goodrich
Qualification: Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Training provider: MTA Institute
Employer: Twidale Auto and Motorcycle (Goondiwindi) Pty
Terease Wallace
Qualification: Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Rob W Electrical
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Proudly sponsored by BUSY At Work
Regional winner: Karsha Dewis
Qualification: Certificate III in Business
Training provider: HB Training
Employer: Western Downs Regional Council
After completing school, Karsha Dewis was lucky enough to see an advertisement for a traineeship in her home town of Tara. A business traineeship was her preferred career path and working at Western Downs Regional Council provided an opportunity to work in a range of areas, such as rural services, communities, facilities and health. The wide range of experience has helped Karsha develop and grow personally and professionally.
Regional finalists
Tayla Dennis
Qualification: Certificate III in Tourism
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Group training organisation: Golden West Apprenticeships Limited
Host employer: Maranoa Regional Council
Isabella Greinke
Qualification: Certificate III in Business Administration
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Lockyer Valley Regional Council
Vocational Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Southern Downs Industry Education Association Inc (SDIEA)
Regional winner: Retaj Maryol
Qualification: Certificate II in Health Support Services
Training provider: HB Training
Employer: Brodribb Home Incorp
School: Harristown State High School
Retaj Maryol wants to be a doctor and is determined to take every available opportunity to make her career dreams a reality, starting with a Certificate II in Health Support Services. Retaj completed this qualification through the AllevE8 program in 2018 and is now undertaking a school-based traineeship in individual support. She believes her training will set her up for a successful career in medicine.
Regional finalists
Candice Gates
Qualification: Diploma of Leadership and Management
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Herriot House Veterinary Surgery
Megan Krause
Qualification: Diploma of Agribusiness Management
Training provider: UQ Skills
Employer: Sandalwood Feedlot
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Golden West Apprenticeships
Regional winner: Kyla-Rae Saltner-Johnston
Qualification: Certificate III in Business
Training provider: HB Training
Employer: Western Downs Regional Council
Having graduated high school, Kyla-Rae Saltner-Johnston was unsure of her career goals, but knew she wanted to start working and provide an example to other young Indigenous people in her community. The traineeship with Western Downs Regional Council offered Kyla-Rae the perfect opportunity to experience different areas and industries within council, while also gaining employment, learning new skills, earning a qualification and supporting her local community.
Regional finalists
Tayla Dennis
Qualification: Certificate III in Tourism
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Group training organisation: Golden West Apprenticeships Limited
Host employer: Maranoa Regional Council
Jaiden Turner
Qualification: Certificate III in Work Health and Safety
Training provider: Orion Training
Employer: Origin Energy Limited
School: Chinchilla State High School
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Proudly sponsored by DGT
Regional winner: Retaj Maryol
Qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support
Training provider: Akadia Training
Employer: Brodribb Home Incorp
School: Harristown State High School
With big dreams of a career in medicine, Retaj Maryol is doing everything possible to make her dream career a reality, starting with VET. After completing a Certificate II in Health Support Services, Retaj was offered a school-based traineeship at Brodribb Home. There she is gaining essential healthcare skills and knowledge that she hopes will give her a head start on her peers, as well as providing her with opportunities for employment when she gets to university.
Regional finalists
Tanicia Ireland
Qualification: Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
Training provider: FS Alliance
Employer: Oakey Beef Exports Pty Ltd
School: Oakey State High School
Brenna Prendergast
Qualification: Certificate III in Business
Training provider: Australian Training Company Limited
Group training organisation: Australian Training Company Limited
Host employer: South Burnett Rugby League
School: Kingaroy State High School
Equity VET Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by the SkillCentred Queensland Inc
Regional winner: Phyllicia Landers
Qualification: Certificate II in Retail Services
Training provider: SkillCentred Queensland Inc
Employer: SkillCentred Queensland Inc
Until Phyllicia Landers enrolled in a hospitality program funded by the Queensland Government's Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, she thought that in order to find employment she would have to leave her community in Cherbourg, where she had lived her whole life. Overcoming initial confidence and communication barriers, Phyllicia's determination and persistence prevailed, successfully completing her certificate II and going on to gain permanent employment at Cherbourg Cafe.
Regional finalists
Evelyn Cooke
Qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support
Training provider: Major Training Group
Group training organisation: Community Solutions
Host employer: Endeavour Foundation
School: Centenary Heights State High School Toowoomba Flexi School Campus
Retaj Maryol
Qualification: Certificate II in Health Support Services
Training provider: HB Training
Employer: Brodribb Home Incorp
School: Harristown State High School
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Toowoomba Regional Council
Regional winner: Dr Shweta Singh
Employer: UQ Skills
Dr Shweta Singh has an array of qualifications that give her a wealth of experience to share with her students. In delivering the Diploma of Agribusiness Management, Shweta has drawn on her background in both biodiversity and business to develop the program in line with student needs. The success of her innovative approach has been recognised with a 45% increase in enrolments for 2019.
Regional finalists
Tony Morgan
Employer: Axial Training
Anne-Maree Walsh
Employer: SkillCentred Queensland Inc
Community Training Initiative of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Broadspectrum Training Services
Regional winner: Goondiwindi SILO Inc T/A Gateway to Training
Program: Steady, Ready, Go!
www.gttc.com.au
(07) 4671 2258
The Gateway to Training (GTT) centre in Goondiwindi was developed in response to a lack of training infrastructure in the Border Rivers region. With funding from the Queensland Government, GTT successfully delivered the Steady, Ready, Go! program to 255 participants from 2015 to 2018. In 2019 the program is continuing, with GTT funded to deliver 80 more places across Goondiwindi, St George and Warwick.
Regional finalists
BASE Services Inc
Program: BASE Services Traineeships
www.baseservices.com.au
(07) 4638 2399
SkillCentred Queensland Inc
Program: Cherbourg Community Initiatives
www.skillcentred.com
(07) 5489 9777
Large Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by TAFE Queensland
Regional winner: Western Downs Regional Council
www.wdrc.qld.gov.au
1300 268 624
Responsible for a community spread across 38,000km, Western Downs Regional Council (WDRC) is committed to ensuring their workforce is connected locally and united regionally. This commitment has required an innovative approach to training, and one that is demonstrated at all levels of the organisation. WDRC consider the skills and experience their staff gain through training are essential to the management of their diverse workforce.
Regional finalists
Easternwell
www.easternwell.com.au
(07) 4659 1555
Toowoomba Regional Council
www.tr.qld.gov.au
13 18 72
Medium Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by MEGT (Australia) Ltd
Regional Winner: Astill's Electrical Services
www.astillselectrical.com.au
(07) 4162 7970
Astill's Electrical Services is a family based company, located in Kingaroy and servicing all areas of the South Burnett and Sunshine Coast regions. The company has grown rapidly since it was established in 2009, and now employs more than 20 people. Astill's currently has 6 team members undertaking apprenticeships and are actively working with local high schools to provide work experience opportunities for students and young people.
Regional finalists
Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council
www.cherbourg.qld.gov.au
(07) 4168 1866
HBK Holdings T/A McDonald's Dalby and Chinchilla
www.mcdonalds.com.au/learn/careers
(07) 4662 5366 (Dalby)
(07) 4662 7801 (Chinchilla)
Small Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Jobs Queensland
Regional winner: ENZED Surat Basin
www.suratbasin.enzed.com.au
(07) 4662 7038
ENZED Surat Basin is a family-owned hose fitting and hydraulic servicing business with a service centre located in Chinchilla and mobile service in Roma. Of its 12 employees, eight have undertaken training in the last 12 months. As a small business, ENZED recognises training and development of its staff as key to the growth of its business, and is dedicated to the continual improvement of skills and knowledge.
Regional finalists
Jazzy Lane Hair Studio
www.jazzylanehairstudio.com.au
(07) 4637 8818
Swift Energy Group Pty Ltd
www.swiftenergygroup.com.au
(07) 4630 6880
Last updated 29 July 2019
