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Winners and finalists

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Central Queensland regional winners and finalists

Congratulations and good luck to the finalists from the Central Queensland region.

Winners were announced at the regional final:

When​
Saturday 21 July 2018

Where
Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre

View the Central Queensland reigonal final dinner program (PDF, 2.4MB)​.

The Central Queensland region thanks their sponsors.

Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year

Proudly sponsored by MEGT (Austr​alia) Ltd

Brittany Webster, Winner of the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year award, Central Queensland 
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Regional winner: Brittany Webster

Qualification: Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
Training provider: Horticultural Training Pty Ltd
Employer: Mackay Regional Council

Brittany Webster's passion for protecting and promoting the natural environment lead her to seek out a horticultural role with Mackay Regional Council in 2013. In her five years at the council she was identified as a leader, role model and advocate for women in horticulture, and has regularly been asked to share her knowledge, mentoring other trainees and educating the community on sustainable environmental practices.

Regional finalists

Laura Carrodus
Qualification: Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Training provider: CQUniversity Australia
Employer: Hastings Deering (Australia) Limited

Cameron Colussi
Qualification: Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Training provider: CQUniversity Australia
Employer: BM Alliance Coal Operations Pty Ltd

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year

Proudly sponsored by BUSY At Work

Michelle Doughty, Winner of the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year award, Central Queensland 
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Regional winner: Michelle Doughty

Qualification: Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management
Training provider: Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges
Employer: Central Highlands Regional Council

With a background in conservation and research, Michelle Doughty was looking for a way to get back in to the workforce. As a trainee ranger with CHRC, she is able to undertake on-the-job conservation and land management duties while she learns. In addition, to completing her traineeship, Michelle has enrolled in a Certificate IV in Government Investigations to improve her future prospects as a ranger officer.

Regional finalists

William Devreede
Qualification: Certificate III in Business
Training provider: Skills@Top
Employer: Central Highlands Regional Council

Joel Paulson
Qualification: Certificate II in Horticulture
Training provider: CQUniversity Australia
Employer: Central Highlands Regional Council

Vocational Student of the Year

Proudly sponsored by CQUniv​ersity Australia

Luke Sondergeld, Winner of the Vocational Student of the Year award, Central Queensland  
​​​

Regional winner: Luke Sondergeld

Qualification: Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing)
Training provider: CQUniversity Australia

After experiencing first-hand the essential contribution that nurses provide to our health system, Luke Sondergeld knew that he had found his future career, and wanted to start training as soon as possible. Such was his passion to begin his qualification, he enrolled in a Diploma of Nursing as soon as he was discharged from hospital, and attended his first class with surgical dressing still attached. Now undertaking further nursing studies, Luke can't imagine doing anything else.

Regional finalists

Caitlyn Barnes
Qualification: Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
Training provider: Moranbah State High School

Suzanne McCormack
Qualification: Diploma of Horticulture
Training provider: Horticultural Training Pty Ltd
Employer: Mackay Regional Council

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

Proudly sponsored by Macka​y Regional Council

Jarred Armstrong-White, Winner of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year award, Central Queensland  
​​​

Regional winner: Jarre​d Armstrong-White

Qualification: Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade
Training provider: Hastings Deering (Australia) Limited
Employer: Hastings Deering (Australia) Limited

Jarred Armstrong-White began working for Hastings Deering in 2013 as a trades assistant. Fast forward five years and Jarred is still employed with them, now as a fully qualified diesel fitter. As the first person in his family to finish Year 12, he is a firm believer in the benefits of training and continues to be a role model to his family, friends and his local Indigenous community.

Regional finalists

Joel Paulson
Qualification: Certificate II in Horticulture
Training provider: CQUniversity Australia
Employer: Central Highlands Regional Council

Jerron Wagg
Qualification: Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management
Training provider: Horticultural Training Pty Ltd
Employer: Mackay Regional Council

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year

Proudly sponsored by Queensland Tr​​ai​ning & Development

Katie Busk, Winner of the School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year award, Central Queensland 
​​​

Regional winner: Katie Busk

Qualification: Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical)
Training provider: UNE Partnerships
Employer: Construct Health Physiotherapy
School: Moranbah State High School

The workplace experience Katie Busk has gained through her school-based traineeship has allowed her to learn more about the physiotherapy profession, and gain a better understanding of study options in the industry. Katie believes her training has given her a head start on her future study plans, having gained knowledge of the day-to-day workings of a physiotherapy practice, and the health industry as a whole.

Regional finalists

Phoebe Child
Qualification: Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical)
Training provider: UNE Partnerships
Employer: Sonic Healthplus - Moranbah
School: Moranbah State High School

Jamie Lee Hartwig
Qualification: Certificate III in Agriculture
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: GT & LM Hartwig
School: Eidsvold State School

Equity VET Student of the Year

Proudly sponsored by Queensla​nd Alumina Limited

Debbie Chilmaid, Winner of the Equity VET Student of the Year award, Central Queensland  
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Regional winner: Debbie Chilmaid

Qualification: Certificate II in Community Services
Training provider: Designer Life
Community-based organisation: Community Solutions

After a personal tragedy, Debbie Chilmaid spent a long time out of the workforce. When Community Solutions first offered Debbie the opportunity to complete a Certificate II in Community Services, she was apprehensive about returning to study, but it turned out to be the first step towards changing her life. Debbie is now, in her own words, qualified, employed by Blue Care Mackay Galaxy and happy.

Regional finalists

Javier Fernandez
Qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support
Training provider: CQUniversity Australia
Community-based organisation: Welcoming Intercultural Neighbours Inc.

Melissa McCurley
Qualification: Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Training provider: C&K College of Early Childhood
Skilling Queenslanders for Work funded organisation: MRAEL
Community-based organisation: C&K Eimeo Road Community Kindergarten

VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year

Proudly sponsored by North Quee​nsland Bulk Ports Corporation

Charlie Jenson, Winner of the VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year award, Central Queensland  
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Regional winner: Charlie Jensen

Employer: CQUniversity Australia

Charlie Jenson's passion for hospitality and impeccable service culture is passed on to more than 100 vocational students each year. Her students come from a variety of backgrounds, with different skill levels and experience. To overcome this, she has developed a suite of innovative strategies and training methods to ensure that even the most disengaged students find success, both in the classroom and in the hospitality industry.​​

Regional finalists

Traci Giblett
Employer: Royal College of Health Care

Sheree Nicholson
Employer: Sarina State High School

Community Training Initiative of the Year

Proudly sponsored by Central ​Highlands Regional Council

 
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Regional winner: Central Queensland Multicultural Association Inc

Program: CQMA Community Care
www.cqma.org.au
0438 751 974

Central Queensland Multicultural Association Inc (CQMA) recognises the needs of migrant people, and is dedicated to supporting them as they integrate into their new communities. Through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, CQMA provides participants with access to traineeships in Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways, and Certificate III in Individual Support, with a 72 per cent success rate for employment outcomes.

Regional finalists

Welcoming Intercultural Neighbours Inc (WIN)
Program: Welcoming Intercultural Neighbours Inc (WIN)
www.win-australia.org.au
(07) 4903 1931

Women's Health Information and Referral Service CQ Inc
Program: Confident, Inspired & Ready for Work Program
www.womenshealthrockhampton.com
(07) 4922 6585

Large Employer of the Year

Proudly sponsored by CQUniversity Australia

 
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Regional winner: ​Queensland Alumina Limited

www.qal.com.au
(07) 4976 2111

Queensland Alumina Limited are committed to the development of their employees, providing the training necessary to perform their job competently and safely. Training is managed by a dedicated team of trainer assessors and supported by team mentors. To ensure that each employee is receiving the right training, skills and qualifications required to succeed in their role, individual training profiles are created to assess training needs.

Regional finalists

Boyne Smelters Limited
www.boynesmelters.com.au
1800 886 414

Mackay Regional Council
www.mackay.qld.gov.au
1300 MACKAY (1300 622 529)

Medium Employer of the Year

Proudly sponsored by Myn​eSight

 
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Regional winner: McDonald's NFR Holdings Pty Ltd (Mackay East, Northern Beaches and Canelands Foodcourt)

www.mcdonalds.com.au
(07) 4953 5533

NRF Holdings Pty Ltd licensee Nicole Ramsay is proud to be a part of the Mackay business community, dedicating herself to the continued improvement of her 'family' of McDonald's restaurants. At the heart of this is a focus on training. Staff at the organisation's three stores are encouraged to completed certificate II and III qualifications, and are supported while they undertake both on- and off-the-job training.

Regional finalists

Keppel Bay Sailing Club
www.kbsc.com.au
(07) 4939 9585

Score (Brisbane) Pty Ltd
www.score-group.com
(07) 4839 0300

Small Employer of the Year

Proudly sponsored by SKILLSTRAIN

 

Regional winner: Taylored Automotive Services

www.facebook.com/TayloredAutomotive
(07) 4958 2290

Since opening Taylor​ed Automotive Services in Dysart in 2013, Seamus Taylor has seen the business grow from a one-man operation to 10 full-time employees, including four qualified mechanics and a third-year apprentice​. Seamus' dedication to training also extends to the operational side of the business, employing a school-based trainee in a Certificate III in Business, and supporting other administration staff to obtain their VET qualifications.

Regional finalists

Bright Kids After School Care
www.moranbahshs.eq.edu.au
(07) 4949 2111

Pumped Juice Bar & Cafe
wwww.facebook.com/Pumped-Juice-Bar-Cafe-824626517574051/
0423 901 379

Licence
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY 3.0) (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/ )
Last updated
24 July 2018