Celebrating Local Excellence in Trades

29 Nov 2024

Celebrating Local Excellence in Trades
Celebrating Local Excellence in Trades
Apprentices, teachers, and members of industry gathered last night for the biggest SuniTAFE Trades Night yet.

Supported by Energy Safe Victoria, this year’s event saw over 200 attendees check in to the Mildura campus to see how the trades departments are changing lives and to celebrate the industries who are building, manufacturing, and developing the Mallee.

The winners of the 2024 SuniTAFE Trades Awards were announced on the night. These awards recognise students who have excelled during their studies.

Regional WorldSkills medallists from the recent Sunraysia competitions were also announced at the event, with 21 Mildura campus students winning gold, silver, or bronze.

There were double the celebrations for two apprentices this year.

Kye Lawrence-Hall was named Outstanding First Year Automotive Electrical Technology Apprentice and was awarded a gold medal for the WorldSkills Automotive Electrical category.

Similarly, Shane Boram was named Outstanding Third Year Light Automotive Apprentice while also collecting a gold medal for the Automotive Mechanics category.

This year also saw a record number of women winning apprentice awards or WorldSkills medals, including in the categories of Automotive Sales, Second Year Heavy Automotive, Third Year Engineering Fabrication Trade, and Third Year Engineering Mechanical Trade.

SuniTAFE Chief Executive Officer Brett Millington was pleased to showcase the success of so many apprentices last night. 

"Trades Night is a unique opportunity for us to celebrate with students, their employers, teachers, and families," Mr Millington said. 

"This student journey takes a village and the fact that we can bring everyone together in our Nexus Space and Student Hub is very special.

"It was fantastic to acknowledge the effort and continued hard work of the students being awarded amongst all trades last night, whether they are in first year or third year. 

"We're proud to see an increased number of female apprentices receiving awards. Over the years, we've progressively tried to increase the number of women that are entering trades and it's great to see their skillsets and achievements recognised. 

"I also want to acknowledge all of the employers who attended last night. One of the things we try to achieve is the ability to change lives and these employers are doing that on an individual basis with these young people. 

"The growth of our regions in any sector is supported by people who are residing in homes, working in buildings, receiving electricity or clean water. All of our trades help to underpin what it is to be a modern society."

The Swan Hill campus Trades Night will be held Wednesday 4 December, where more SuniTAFE students will receive recognition for their hard work.

 

Full list of award winners

Outstanding 1st Year Heavy Automotive | Sponsored by Snap-on Tools Mildura
Wiley Dixon

Outstanding 2nd Year Heavy Automotive | Sponsored by Snap-on Tools Mildura
Madeline Rasmussen

Outstanding 3rd Year Heavy Automotive | Sponsored by Snap-on Tools Mildura
Folau Mafi

Outstanding 1st Year Automotive Electrical Technology | Sponsored by Training Systems Australia
Kye Lawrence-Hall

Outstanding 2nd Year Automotive Electrical Technology | Sponsored by Training Systems Australia
Nathan McFarlane

Outstanding 3rd Year Automotive Electrical Technology | Sponsored by Training Systems Australia
Benjamin Gardner

Outstanding Automotive Sales | Sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Kellie Richardson

Outstanding 1st Year Light Automotive | Sponsored by Mildura Motor Holdings
Ty Roberts

Outstanding 2nd Year Light Automotive | Sponsored by Mildura Motor Holdings
Carter Metcalfe

Outstanding 3rd Year Light Automotive | Sponsored by Mildura Motor Holdings
Shane Boram

Outstanding 1st Year Engineering Mechanical Trade | Sponsored by SMGT
Callum Whitehouse

Outstanding 2nd Year Engineering Mechanical Trade | Sponsored by SMGT
Tommas Gowers

Outstanding 3rd Year Engineering Mechanical Trade | Sponsored by SMGT
Jessica Bitzenis

Outstanding 1st Year Engineering Fabrication Trade | Sponsored by BOC
Patrick Voutier

Outstanding 2nd Year Engineering Fabrication Trade | Sponsored by BOC
Joshua Gregg

Outstanding 3rd Year Engineering Fabrication Trade | Sponsored by BOC
Alliah Rayson

Outstanding 1st Year Carpentry | Sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Dylan Boseley

Outstanding 2nd Year Carpentry | Sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Logan Bysouth

Outstanding 3rd Year Carpentry | Sponsored by Skills and Jobs Centre
Nathanial Allford

Outstanding 1st Year Electrical | Sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria
Alex Kelly

Outstanding 2nd Year Electrical | Sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria
Kyle Milner

Outstanding 3rd Year Electrical | Sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria
Thomas Morrison

Outstanding 1st Year Plumbing | Sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria
Jay Volenski

Outstanding 2nd Year Plumbing | Sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria
Pau’la Ma’u

Outstanding 3rd Year Plumbing | Sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria
Justin Lowe

Max Hart Memorial Award | Sponsored by Max Fry Smash Repairs
Cody Patullo