Reach for the Stars- Townsville 1 June 2012

The 28th Annual TORGAS Awards was such a successful event, tickets sold out within the first 2 weeks! The apprentices and trainees were recognised for their outstanding success and achievements over the past year.

This year we saw 70 finalists competing in 29 categories, including the Owen T Jones TORGAS Queensland Apprentice of the Year for the most outstanding TORGAS apprentice from the 4th year finalists representing Townsville, Bowen/Whitsundays, Mackay and Brisbane. Over 350 guests attended the Awards night with people from all over Queensland attending the event.

Additional awards were added celebrating Women in Non Traditional Trades and recognising apprentices' and trainees' workplace, health and safety standards.

The Owen T Jones TORGAS Queensland Apprentice of the Year was won by John Birt. John has worked very hard to complete his apprenticeship and is now a qualified tradesman. His host, Minlec described him as a hard-working apprentice who has great work ethic. Congratulations John Birt!

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Townsville Winners and their Host Businesses

TORGAS School-Based Trainee of the Year: Tayla Horton, hosted by Flinders Shire Council
TORGAS School-Based Apprentice of the Year: Matthew Kempe, hosted by Air-Conditioning by Darren Barr

TORGAS Business Administration Trainee of the Year: Teneille Watkins, hosted by Downer EDI Engineering
TORGAS Civil Construction Trainee of the Year: Bradley Smith, hosted by RoadTek Asset Services

Automotive Most Outstanding 1st Year Apprentice: Tremaine Tait, hosted by MTU Detroit Diesel Australia
Automotive Most Outstanding 3rd Year Apprentice: Rian Pace, hosted by Fulton Hogan Industries
Automotive Most Outstanding 4th Year Apprentice: Rhys Morley, hosted by MTU Detriot Diesel Australia and Derick Miller, hosted by Komatsu Australia

Building & Construction Most Outstanding 1st Year Apprentice: Michael Birt, hosted by Northern Plumbing
Building & Construction Most Outstanding 2nd Year Apprentice: Jesse Nash, hosted by TT Building Services
Building & Construction Most Outstanding 3rd Year Apprentice: Kerryn Norman, hosted by Flinders Shire Council and Clinton Von Deest, hosted by AJ McLean Constructions
Building & Construction Most Outstanding 4th Year Apprentice: Carl Becker, hosted by Flinders Shire Council

Electrical Most Outstanding 1st Year Apprentice: Chalmers Underwood, hosted by Airlec NQ
Electrical Most Outstanding 2nd Year Apprentice: Troy Menegon, hosted by QLD Sugar
Electrical Most Outstanding 3rd Year Apprentice: Jeffrey Royle, hosted by Royle Electrical
Electrical Most Outstanding 4th Year Apprentice: John Birt, hosted by Minelec
Electrical Mature Aged Apprentice / Wayne Allan Award: Scot Anderson, hosted by Amcor Packaging

Engineering/Refrigeration Most Outstanding 1st Year Apprentice: Ashley Carmody, hosted by DMC Electrical and Air Cooling
Engineering/Refrigeration Most Outstanding 2nd Year Apprentice: Chase Burraston, hosted by Pacific Coast Engineering and Andrew Savickas, hosted by Locker Group and Pacific Coast Engineering
Engineering/Refrigeration Most Outstanding 3rd & 4th Year Apprentice: Stephen McAnally, hosted by Pacific Coast Engineering

Hospitality Apprentice of the Year: Kaitlyn Russo, hosted by Bohle Barn Hotel

Indigenous Trainee of the Year: Les Tanna, hosted by Townsville City Council
Indigenous Apprentice of the Year: Tom O'Riley, hosted by Bohle Hydraulics

TORGAS Trainee of the Year: Teneille Watkins, hosted by Downer EDI Engineering
Owen T Jones TORGAS Queensland Apprentice of the Year: John Birt, Minelec

Women in Non-Traditional Trade: Leah Carr, hosted by Downer EDI Engineering

Workplace, Health & Safety Recognition Award: Less Tanna, hosted by Townsville City Council
Workplace, Health & Safety Recognition Award: Damian Andrews, hosted by RoadTek Asset Services
Workplace, Health & Safety Recognition Award: Carl Becker, hosted by Flinder Shire Council
Workplace, Health & Safety Recognition Award: Kerryn Norman, hosted by Flinders Shire Council
Workplace, Health & Safety Recognition Award: Janelle Wright, hosted by Townsville City Council

Mentor of the Year Award: Jason McPherson, Pacific Coast Engineering
Mentor of the Year Award: Glen McIntosh, Flinders Shire Council
Mentor of the Year Award: Anthony McLean, Anthony McLean Constructions

Host Business of the Year Award: Royle Electrical
Host Business of the Year Award: Mineforce
Host Business of the Year Award: Downer EDI Engineering
Host Business of the Year Award: Air-Conditioning by Darren Barr

The Locker Group Award: Bryce Bebendorf, hosted by QLD Sugar Lucinda

TORGAS Rising Star Award: Matthew Ashwell, hosted by Flinders Shire Council

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Thanks to our Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor 

Diamond Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

ANZ
Jupiters Hotel & Casino
Career One
Queensland Apprenticeship Services
Lazer GrafX
Corporate Traveller
Parry Nissan
Telstra

Prize Sponsors

Tony Ireland Townsville
Robin's Kitchen
Locker Group
Snap on Tools
PSG Richard Flanagan
Global Welding Supplies
Housing Industry Australia
Pricewaterhouse Cooper
Heatcraft