Tony Pasin (Barker, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

  I rise to speak on the Riverland and Mallee Vocational Awards, hosted by the Rotary Club of Berri, which I was delighted to attend on Friday last at the Berri Hotel in my electorate. The awards were developed in 1982. They have an esteemed history and they are highly regarded in my community, the state and the nation. They were developed by the Rotary Club of Renmark as a way of recognising the outstanding achievements of young apprentices in the Riverland and Mallee. In 1991, the awards expanded to recognise the growing significance of traineeships and in 2001 the awards developed even further by presenting an award to the most outstanding vocational education training student from the Riverland's many high-quality high schools.

Each year, the club celebrates the achievements of young people from the Riverland and Mallee region. The Riverland and Mallee Vocational Awards are the largest of their kind in regional Australia, which is a fantastic achievement and underscores not only the hard work of the apprentices, trainees and students but also the dedication of the Rotary Club members and employers in the district. The awards recognise the success, endeavour and enthusiasm of young outstanding members of the Riverland and Mallee community.

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the winners but before I do I would say to all of the finalists that it is trite to say but you were all winners by virtue of your nomination as finalists to these esteemed awards. This year's winners included Fahri Somuncu. He was the winner of the Building and Construction Industry Award. Fahri is an apprentice with Hotondo Homes in the Riverland, where he is considered a leader by his peers. Winning the Electrical Industry Award was James Horvat. James is an electrical apprentice with Yates Electrical Services and demonstrates an outstanding work ethic and quality of workmanship.

Joshua Voigt was the winner of the Engineering Industry Award. He was also a runner up in the Apprentice of the Year Award. Joshua is an apprentice engineer with SA Water Engineering Technologies and demonstrates a high level of skill and dedication in his trade.    Kara Bottrell not only was the winner of the Hairdressing Industry Award but also took out the top and coveted prize of Apprentice of the Year. Kara has become an indispensable member of Cindy's Hair and Beauty in the Riverland where she works as an apprentice hairdresser. She is a young lady with incredible confidence and energy, which was on display at the gala event. Madeline Ziegler was the winner of the Vocational Education and Training Student of the Year. Madeline is studying a Certificate III in Aged Care and Disability. Ellie Gillard was runner-up for the Vocational Education and Training Student of the Year. Ellie is undertaking a Certificate III in Children's Services whilst completing Year 12 at Loxton High School. Sharna Linke was runner-up for the Vocational Education and Training Student of the Year. Sharna is studying a Diploma in Children's Services whilst studying at Waikerie High School.

Klaudia Gregurec was the joint winner, with Holly Modra, of the Australian School-based Trainee of the Year. Klaudia completed her Certificate Ill in Hospitality whilst studying Year 12 and working at the Renmark Hotel. She mentors young people in the industry. Holly Modra is studying her Diploma in Children's Services while completing year 12 and working part-time with Mallee COGS. She hopes to one day work overseas in a kindergarten orphanage. Joanna Platten was runner-up for Australian School-based Trainee of the Year. She undertook a Certificate Ill in Business Administration whilst completing year 12. Benjamin Pilgrim was the winner of the Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year. Roy Grenfell was runner-up for Trainee of the Year. Louise Beech was the joint winner, with Emily Cocks, of Trainee of the Year and works with Hotondo Homes. Emily Cocks works at the Renmark Hotel as a hospitality trainee. Mark Cameron was winner of the Automotive Industry Award. He is a panel beater with Waikerie Crash who is realizing his passion for cars and the automotive industry. I congratulate each of this year's winners and I wish them every success with their future endeavours. The people of Barker can be confident, as can the nation, that we are in good hands.