COFFS born and schooled Evangelene Rushforth, the Apprentice of the Year in the Australian Training Awards 2025, received her award in Sydney last month.
Evangeline, a former student at Bishop Druitt College, who attended Coffs Senior College in Years 11 and 12, completed her Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade while being employed by GTNT (Group Training Northern Territory).
The company is the NT’s largest not-for-profit provider of employment and training services.
Evangeline is hosted by South32-GEMCO at Groote Eylandt, east of Darwin.
Living and working on Groote provided practical experience and personal growth, supported by GTNT Group Employment Specialist Rachel Christo.
In her acceptance speech, Evangelene acknowledged the change a vocational education and training pathway can make.
“I know we have a lot of people and businesses here who have been in charge of hiring new apprentices, and I just wanted to say thank you.
“You have no idea how life changing it can be to find something you love to do and what a difference it can make to someone like me who lacked direction and purpose.”
Four years ago, after three years studying a Bachelor of Law and Arts, Evangeline made the decision to leave university in pursuit of a more “hands-on and meaningful” career.
Her apprenticeship in Groote Eylandt stemmed from a solo van trip around Australia.
When her old van broke down in Darwin she stayed put, trying a few occupations before completing a Certificate II in Horticulture and Conservation and discovering a strong preference for manual work over office or café roles.
The apprenticeship developed transferable skills and reinforced a commitment to hands-on work.
Over four years, work included participation in the recovery team after a plane crash, solo response work following Cyclone Megan when a fuel line fell into the ocean, machining critical components during urgent breakdowns, and locating and repairing fuel leaks.
Additional responsibilities included serving as the team’s Health and Safety Representative, running pre-start meetings for crews and contractors, leading safety seminars, and raising critical safety issues with management.
Training included RIIRIS402E Risk Management, enabling facilitation of risk assessments beyond standard JSAs.
Increasing responsibility throughout the final year of the apprenticeship built confidence in leading jobs, making decisions, and completing tasks independently.
A strong interest in mentoring emerging apprentices and taking on future leadership roles also developed during this period.
Advocacy for the VET sector is a significant focus for Evangeline, particularly encouraging women to pursue trade careers.
By Andrea FERRARI
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