A 24-year-old from Romsey has just won the prestigious Australian Technical Officers Association’s Apprentice of the Year Award, competing against finalists from several trades.
Bonnie Saunders received the award at a lavish function attended by about 400 people at the Plaza Ballroom in Melbourne.
The award recognises outstanding performance in training.
As a final (fourth) year electrical apprentice working on the huge Metro Tunnel project in Melbourne with the renowned Nilsen Electrical company, Bonnie is looking forward to graduating and becoming a fully fledged electrician next year.
Back in April, 2022, she was selected as female electrical apprentice of the year for Victoria and Tasmania.
This was for outstanding excellence in trade training and on the job performance, with 69 initially under consideration.
The latest award is regarded as a further ‘step up’, and Bonnie admitted she was pleased to be a finalist, let alone emerging as the winner.
“We were sitting at table 13, and that’s my lucky number, so I guess it was a good omen,” she laughed.
Bonnie hopes this win will help motivate more girls/women in the Macedon Ranges and beyond to seriously consider taking up a trade, rather than going down an academic path.
It’s been a real learning curve for Bonnie since leaving Gisborne Secondary College; she’s always had a work ethic, but was initially unsure which direction to take.
A tradie suggested she try work experience with him, and she hasn’t looked back since.
For some months Bonnie has been working nightshift, leaving Romsey in the afternoon and returning very, very late.
“The disadvantage is there’s no train at that time, but traffic is virtually nil and you just have to avoid the kangaroos.
“I’ve found workmates are really good, and I’ve learnt a lot about electro-technology.
“You can never stop learning.
“Next year I hope to stay with Nilsen Electrical, after finishing my apprenticeship in July.”
She’s keen to ‘spread the word’ about the positives of becoming a tradesperson, and is willing to talk to interest groups.
Bonnie expressed appreciation to long time Nilsen field officer Elise Halton for her help.
“My Dad (Michael) has been great and I think I’ve inherited some of my technical skills from him.”
Michael, who is employed by Barker Trailers at Woodend, said he was very proud of his daughter on her progress to this level, and also proud of her brother Harley, who is immersed in IT.
Bonnie also had words of praise for ‘Nan and Pa’ (Barbara and John Saunders, from New Gisborne) for their continual encouragement over a long period of time.
Minister of TAFE and Regional Development, Gayle Tierney, made the award presentation.
The evening was staged by the Apprentice Employment Network, GAN Australia and Apprenticeships Victoria.
