September 15, 2025
Two people with South Burnett connections have won trophies at the 2025 Queensland Training Awards State Final, held in Brisbane on Saturday.
Goomeri resident – and former nurse – Therese Stanton had worked in healthcare since 1985 before she suffered a series of strokes.
However, Therese was determined to return to the field that she loved and after rehabilitation and studying for a Certificate III in Sterilisation Services, she now works five days a month at the Toowoomba Day Hospital.
Employment and Training Minister Ros Bates said Therese’s story was one of resilience and inspiration.
Therese was presented with the Equity Student of the Year award at the State Finals.
Vocational Student of the Year, Cameron Flack, works for Global Engineering and Construction in Kingaroy.
Cameron worked in the hotel industry before shifting his career focus to oil and gas.
He became alarmed about the suicide and injury rate among workers in the industry.
Cameron studied for a Diploma of Work Health and Safety and now mentors colleagues, leads psychosocial health initiatives and advocates for cultural change and safety awareness.
The 2025 Australian Training Awards will be held in Darwin on December 5.
- Related article: Brylie Has Forged A Bright Future
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Queensland Winners:
Individual award categories:
- Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year – Jessica Bichsel, Certificate III in Carpentry, Ipswich
- Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year – Kayla Gagai, Certificate IV in Youth Work, Cairns
- Vocational Student of the Year – Cameron Flack, Diploma of Work Health and Safety, lives in Moorooka, employer is based in Kingaroy
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year – Dion Sands, Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, Yarrabah
- School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year – Hamish Genrich, Certificate III in Agriculture, Crows Nest
- Equity Student of the Year – Therese Stanton, Certificate III in Sterilisation Services, Goomeri
- VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year – Andrew Abbas, CQUniversity, Emerald
Organisation award categories:
- Community Training Initiative of the Year – BASE Services Hospitality Traineeships program, Toowoomba
- Large Employer of the Year – The Ville Precinct, Townsville
- Medium Employer of the Year – Murroona Gardens, Bowen
- Small Employer of the Year – Intuition The Art of Hair, Mackay
- Large Training Provider of the Year – CQUniversity Australia
- Small Training Provider of the Year – Hastings Deering (Australia)
- Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award – Energy Queensland Cadetship Program – Energy Queensland and TAFE Queensland
