Proudly sponsored by Mas National
Five-year-old Amity Lobb discovered she wanted to work in kitchens when she made her first batch of honey crackles with her grandma.
As an Adelaide Oval apprentice chef, Amity has participated in large-scale events (banqueting, à la carte, degustation dining), and assisted senior chefs with menu creation, learning from all experiences the hospitality industry offers.
At TAFE, Amity enjoyed the range of training blocks available and appreciated the wealth of knowledge shared by lecturers who had worked locally and internationally, fuelling her desire to travel and learn.
Commitment to her craft has seen her achieve competition success, recently representing Australia in the junior national team at the IKA Culinary Olympics, Stuttgart, Germany and becoming a gold medallist in the Nestle Golden Chefs Hat state finals.
Seeing adventure in every day, Amity is excited to share her expertise while continuing to learn and develop, particularly in the world of international cuisine.
South Australia’s first female stonemason, Bianca Taylor, discovered a passion for stonemasonry, securing a rare apprenticeship at 16. On her first day of training, Bianca was in awe of the knowledge and skills being passed down; 4 years later, Bianca still feels privileged to be learning the art of stonemasonry.
Her dedication and lateral thinking proved invaluable on the Adelaide Railway Station historic restoration and old Royal Adelaide Hospital redevelopment.
Bianca’s involvement in heritage conservation and community initiatives demonstrates how her commitment extends beyond her craft.
A Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship has seen Bianca working alongside master-masons on Exeter Cathedral in England in mid-2024.
With an apprenticeship and her own business, Taylor Made Heritage Restoration, Bianca is set to make lasting contributions to South Australian heritage while inspiring future generations, promoting sustainable industry practices, and preserving South Australia’s rich architectural history.
Bianca aims to mentor aspiring stonemasons and support local artisans.
A mature-age apprentice with ProBuild Australia, Bradley Wilkins is driven by his passion for carpentry. He enjoys the dynamic nature of the work; each day presents new challenges and opportunities to enhance his skills and knowledge, which makes the job engaging and rewarding.
Bradley was awarded the Adelaide Training and Employment Centre (ATEC) Carpentry of the Year Award and the ATEC Apprentice of the Year Award.
His journey to being a qualified carpenter reflects his dedication, adaptability, and thirst for knowledge. Grateful for his experiences and valuing his trainers’ professional and flexible approach, he credits them as being instrumental in his development.
Equipped with a strong foundation in carpentry, a robust skill set, and a commitment to excellence in the field, Bradley is eager to continue growing in knowledge and experience while contributing to the industry. And the next challenge for this perfectionist? A Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Callum Irlam undertook a Certificate II in Commercial Cookery in Year 11, began an apprenticeship at the Loxton Hotel in Year 12, and then worked full-time at the hotel, finishing his Certificate III in Commercial Cookery 15 months early.
He was awarded the Loxton High School VET Student of the Year and the Riverland and Mallee School-Based Apprentice of the Year.
Callum works as a sous chef (second in charge) at the Loxton Hotel and believes his achievements are due to commitment, hard work and support from peers and family.
He credits his apprenticeship with developing his confidence and knowledge, helping him to grow as a person and a chef.
Callum is committed to using his experiences to teach and inspire the next generation of apprentice cooks.
Ella Stasinowsky recently completed her Certificate III in Mechanical Engineering at TAFE SA as an apprentice with B.L. Shipway, a well-established family-owned South Australian business, where she gained experience in hydraulics, pneumatics, and maintenance.
At high school Ella’s passion was Hill Climb Racing, a physics-based driving game. Her enthusiasm was shared by her brother-in-law, a former car racer; learning much from his extensive mechanical knowledge, Ella decided to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.
Learning from colleagues and supervisors about leading a group of people toward success has inspired Ella to do the same. Ella’s future aspirations? Finishing her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, teaching apprentices, and learning how to manage a workshop.
Hard work sees Ella finishing her apprenticeship with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for the colleagues she has been privileged to work with; she is eager to continue working with such incredible people.
The winner will receive $1,000 to be used towards their training and development.