Apprenticeship Awards - 2004/2005

Each August, the Rotary Club of Melbourne, sets aside one meeting to celebrate "Apprentices Day".  Apprentices Day reinforces the long association the Club has had in promoting apprentices and supporting post compulsory education and training.

The Vocational Services Committee, on behalf of the Club selects up to four apprentices from those nominated to receive Victorian Training Awards for Outstanding Student of the Year.  The Club's selection of awardees is independent of the state awards and is normally held prior to the Victorian awards.

The Club awards a certificate of recognition and achievement and a cheque for $500.00.

One of the awardees is also named the Frank Newman Apprentice of the Year and receives a summary citation describing Rotarian Frank's outstanding involvement in apprenticeship training over many years.

Traditionally, the awardees are introduced to the Club, presented with their certificate and cheques by the President and Frank Newman and then are invited to address the Club briefly on their experiences as an apprentice and their future aspirations.

This year, the 2004 Rotary Club of Melbourne Apprentices of the Year were:

Nicholas Crooks

Nick is from St Kilda and completed his certificate in hospitality in commercial cookery at the William Angliss Institute of TAFE.  Nick was awarded the apprentice of the year award in 2001 by the TAFE and in 2003 was a silver medallist in two major cooking skills competitions.  Nick currently works at the Black Cockatoo Restaurant at Mount Buller as the junior sous chef.  Working at Mt Buller provides Nick with an opportunity to combine his cooking and skiing skills. 

Christopher Muston

Chris is from Mulgrave and recently completed his certificate III in plumbing and gas fitting at the Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, where in 2003, he was awarded the outstanding apprentice award.  Chris is currently employed in the family plumbing business at Glen Waverly but has already established his own business and is developing a very focussed business plan.

Andrew Dower

Andrew is from Ballarat and recently completed his certificate III in offsite construction for joinery, timber, aluminium and glass at the University of Ballarat.  In 2003 Andrew was awarded the gold medal for worldskills and the Team Makita National Young Achiever Award.  In August Andrew won the Victorian Training Award for the outstanding student of the year.  Andrew was the Club's selection for the Frank Newman apprentice of the year award and it was delightful to have Frank present the award to Andrew.  Andrew is employed by Coronet Kitchens in Ballarat.

Apprentices Day is always popular and well attended by Club members.  The quality of the skills of the awardees together with their confidence and interesting presentations makes this day an annual highlight.