Careers in the works for top Indigenous apprentices
Jonathan Mullins of Thornbury and Tehani Mahony from Keilor East have been awarded with PBA Safety Peter Pratt Family Indigenous Apprentice Awards at this year's Master Plumbers' and Mechanical Services Association of Australia's (MPMSAA) 100th Year Gold Medal and Training Awards.
Their achievements were acknowledged along with 23 other award winners at a special ceremony held by the MPMSAA at Victoria's historical Government House last month.
The pair were presented with their awards by the Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser and Peter Pratt representing PBA Safety, award sponsor.
The Indigenous Apprentice Award is presented to the top two Indigenous plumbing apprentices to encourage post-apprenticeship studies in all areas of plumbing.
Jonathan, who is employed by VICTEC, is pleased with the career path he has chosen with plumbing.
“It is an interesting trade. I can take it with me when I travel and be guaranteed of job opportunities,” he said.
Looking at his strengths, Jonathan feels he is perfectly suited to this career path.
“I am 100 percent committed to everything I put my mind to and I am committed to this trade.”
Tehani is no newcomer to winning awards. In July last year she was acknowledged with a NAIDOC Award for her achievement in the plumbing industry.
With an unconventional love for the plumbing trade, Tehani has no regrets turning her back on her initial studies in nursing.
“It was just too much studying and too much indoor work. I prefer to be outdoors,” she said.
Currently in the third year of her plumbing apprenticeship, through the Australian Government's Structured Training Employment Program (STEP), Tehani has excelled in a trade not traditionally taken up by women.
Tehani is enthusiastic about the career path she has chosen.
“I feel plumbing offers me a great opportunity, to be able to do something that interests me and that is not a regular job for females,” she said.
“I look forward to becoming a qualified plumber. I hope to travel around Australia and the world once I complete my apprenticeship. With plumbing as my trade, it will assist me in my travels because plumbers are needed everywhere.
“I also want to spend time convincing others who feel disadvantaged. There are myriad opportunities out there - whether your background is Indigenous, ethnic or Australian, recognise them and take them up.”
Presenting the awards to the winners, the Governor of Victoria said he welcomed the opportunity to host the event at Government House.
“In 1965 Sir Rohan Delacombe, the then Governor of Victoria presented the very first educational award for Indigenous students, at the MPMSAA's Gold Medal and Training Awards. The Sir Rohan Delacombe Award became the very first education award to celebrate Australia's Indigenous heritage.
“It is with great honour that I continue this tradition, and help recognise the contribution that the Master Plumbers' and Mechanical Services Association of Australia has made in supporting and educating the young people of Victoria over the past 100 years,” said Professor de Kretser.
The Sir Rohan Delacombe educational award was also presented on the night to James Dean from McGuire College and Rebecca Williams from Sebastapol College in Ballarat to continue their education.