Local vocational students, trainees, apprentices and employers were recognised for their training and education efforts at the inaugural Wheatbelt Training Awards at Greenhills Inn, on Sunday 18th November.

The luncheon to celebrate apprenticeships, traineeships and vocational education in the region was opened by Hon. Kim Chance MLC and was also attended by Max Trenorden MLA and Mr Gary Snook MLA.

Brendan Simpson, WA Rural Ambassador and a local cabinet maker from Quairading made an impressive Master of Ceremonies and guests enjoyed entertainment from York locals Ali B, Flint the IceMan and Northam DJ Jo Laird. The forty two finalists, who travelled from across the region were also treated to a showcase of regional produce, prepared by Delictable Gourmet from Kauring.

Award Winners

Wheatbelt Apprentice of the Year

Lonny Ford
AgServe Goomalling
Winner

Anthony Joss
Hutton and Northey, Merredin
Highly Commended

Clark Reynolds
Baxters Rural Centre, Cunderdin
Highly Commended

Jesse Topliss
AMMS, Southern Cross
Commended

Wheatbelt Employer of the Year
John Blackwell,
Blackwell Plumbing, Northam

Wheatbelt Trainee of the Year

Amanda Colli
Cunderdin Agricultural College
Winner

Danielle Gogan
Wheatbelt GP Network, Northam
Highly Commended

Stephen Dames
Westarp, Northam
Highly Commended

Farahlie Ash
Westonia Shire
Highly Commended

Wheatbelt School Based Trainee of the Year

Natalee Siddons
Main Roads, Northam
Winner

Sandie Della Maddalena
Northam SHS
Highly Commended

Wheatbelt Vocational Student of the Year

James Mitchell
Narrogin Agricultural College
Winner

Kurt Wise
Narrogin Agricultural College
Highly Commended

Wheatbelt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

Cheyenne Dodd
Central Midlands SHS

Wheatbelt School and Business Partnership of the Year

Wyalkatchem DHS

The awards were coordinated by Directions and three volunteer students Simone Swift, Jessica Wade and Teagan du Boulay of the Water Corporation Northam. The three students put immense effort and time into the unique presentation and developed event management experience along the way.

The day also acknowledged students who had completed their
training in 2007. Congratulations to the following students who received their certificate of completion at the Awards:

Elizabeth Campman
Certificate III in Aged Care

Amanda Colli
Certificate II in Agriculture and Certificate II in
Workplace Training and Assessment

Stephen Dames
Certificate III in Textile Fabrication

Travis De Vries
Certificate II in Business

Teagan du Boulay
Certificate III in Business
 

Anthony Joss
Certificate III in Engineering, Tradesperson, Automotive Heavy

Danielle Gogan
Certificate II in Business

Clark Reynolds
Certificate III in Engineering

Cameron Stocks
Certificate II in Agriculture

Jenna Waight
Certificate III in Business

Nolly Orchard
Certificate II in Aged Care

Shirley Nieuwpoort from Abbotts Forge, Grass Valley designed the unique trophies for the award winners. Each trophy captured the Wheatbelt spirit with corrugated tin, natural timber and wagon wheels.

The awards were an initiative of Directions, The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Employfast, C Y O’Connor TAFE, the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Support Network (ATSN), Local Community Partnerships (LCP), Austral Risk Insurance Services and the Wheatbelt Development Commission. Photography courtesy of Micheal Marriott.

Photography courtesy of Michael Marriott, Northam WA 96225009