August 28, 2025
South Burnett trainees and apprentices starred at the recent Darling Downs and South West Region Queensland Training Awards held in Toowoomba.
Former Stanwell apprentice Brylie Jones, who completed her Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication through TAFE Queensland in Kingaroy, was named the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year award.
Brylie was the first female boilermaker apprentice at Stanwell and trained under the guidance of TAFE engineering teacher Peter Town at the Kingaroy campus.
“Don’t let anyone’s opinions stop you from doing exactly what you want to do,” Brylie said.
“People told me it was hot, heavy, and hard work — especially for women — but I was determined.
“All it takes is one person to believe in you, and that person is you.”
Brylie has continued to build her career in the energy sector after completing her apprenticeship.
She recently extended her hands-on experience by working on a shutdown project with UGL and is beginning a new role with international energy company Kent.
Winner of the Vocational Student of the Year award was Cameron Flack from Global Engineering and Construction in Kingaroy.
Cameron completed a Diploma of Work Health and Safety with ASTRA Group Services.
His career moved from hospitality to oil and gas and he now mentors others in safety initiatives.
Lilly White, who works at Kingaroy Hospital, was named the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.
Lilly completed a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance with Connect ‘n’ Grow.
She’s part of the Deadly Start Education 2 Employment program and hopes to become a midwife.
Kingaroy TAFE employee Rose McMahon was a finalist in the same category as well as a finalist in the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year award.
Rose completed a Certificate III in Business.
Western Downs Regional Council graduate administration officer Gerhard Mortimer was named the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year and Equity Student of the Year.
After sustaining a life-changing injury in 2020, Gerhard was forced to re-evaluate his career path and develop new skills to successfully move into a corporate environment.
In the employer categories, Kingaroy Refrigeration Air Conditioning & Electrical was a finalist in the Small Employer of the Year category; South Burnett CTC was a finalist in the Medium Employer category and South Burnett and Western Downs councils were finalists in the Large Employer category.
Global Engineering and Construction won the Medium Employer category.
The category winners will now go on to the State Finals of the Queensland Training Awards which will be held on Saturday, September 13, in Brisbane.
[Photos: Supplied]
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