Mark Callaghan’s Welcome

Dear WorldSkills Supporter,

A new breed of Skillaroos were unveiled today (6th of November) as the WorldSkills Australia spotlight well and truly moved to the 40th WorldSkills Competition to be held in Calgary, Canada in September 2009. The 2009 Team Australia Skillaroos were officially announced at the Official Team Launch held at Doltone House, Sydney marking the commencement of preparations for the team as they aim to build on the success of past Australian teams – in particular the 2007 Skillaroos.

The Launch was a huge success and was a fitting way for the 29 competitors and 26 experts, representing 26 skill categories to be officially acknowledged as Australia representatives. This new team of Skillaroos now has the opportunity to realise their dreams and represent their country on the world stage. We look forward to watching their progress as they continue to display the dedication, drive and passion that has allowed them to reach this point.

WorldSkills Australia is delighted to officially announce Team Australia, the Skillaroos!

Congratulations to the 29 talented Australians who will be representing Australia in 26 skill categories at the 40th WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, Canada in September 2009.

Team Australia was officially announced on November 6th against a stunning backdrop of the Sydney Harbour at Doltone House, Pyrmont Point.

The day’s Master of Ceremonies was comedian and radio presenter, Adam Spencer. Adam was fantastic at engaging the audience with his witty repartee and said it was a “pleasure to be part of the announcement of the Skillaroos”.

Consul General Thomas MacDonald Canadian Consulate, congratulated all 29 Skillaroos on their achievement and wished them all the very best in Calgary.

Philip Bullock, Chair of Skills Australia also attended the launch and addressed the attendees with a congratulatory speech to the Skillaroos and support teams.

Jeanette Allen, WSA Chair and Adam Spencer officially introduced each Team Australia competitor and presented the individual with a Certificate of Achievement.

2007 International Gold Medalist in Automobile Technology, Dale McMullen addressed the Skillaroos and provided advice to the team whilst drawing from his experience at the competition in Shizuoka, Japan.

On behalf of the 2007 Skillaroos, Dale officially presented the 2009 Team with the Australian Flag, which was received by the 2009 team representative and Manufacturing Team Challenge (MTC) competitor Luke Davies. The Australian Flag will accompany the team to Calgary next year and will be flown with pride as the 29 Skillaroos have the honour of representing all skilled Australian’s across the Nation.

Congratulations Team Australia Calgary, Canada, 2009
(In category order)

Aaron Samphier
Autobody Repair
Region: Sydney West
Employer: Aaa Malibu Paint & Panel
Training Institute: Tafe Nsw South Western Sydney Institute, Campbelltown College
Expert: Tom Vukelic, Tafe Nsw Southwestern Sydney Institute, Campbelltown College

Perrin Bouna
Automobile Technology
Region:  Brisbane
Employer: Hastings Deering
Training Institute: Skills Tech Australia, Bracken Ridge
Expert: Grant Petch, University of Ballarat

Jessie Gladwell
Beauty Therapy
Region: North Queensland
Employer: Cairns Beauty Academy
Training Institute: Cairns Beauty Academy
Expert: Sue Collins, Cairns Beauty Academy 

Nigel Croke
Bricklaying
Region: Macquarie
Employer: Spatacon Bricklaying & Self Employed 
Training Institute: TAFE NSW Western Institute, Bathurst Campus
Expert: Troy Everett, TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute, Wollongong Campus

Justin Laidlaw
Car Painting
Region:Hunter
Employer: Anthony Paterson Novocastrian Smash Repairs, Kotara 
Training Institute: TAFE NSW Hunter Institute, Glendale Campus
Expert: Brian Johnson, TAFE NSW Hunter Institute, Glendale Campus 

Michael Welshman
Cabinetmaking
Region: Western Australia
Employer: Hafele Australia Pty Ltd
Training Institute: South West Regional College of TAFE, Bunbury
Expert :Jason Hindes, JF Hindes Cabinetmaking 

Shane Ashton
Construction Metal Works
Region: Illawarra
Employer: K&R Fabrications
Training Institute: Tafe Nsw Illawarra Institute, North Wollongong Campus
Expert: John Sharples, TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute, North Wollongong Campus

Nenad Djuric
Cooking
Region: Sydney
Employer: HTN Hospitality Training Network
Host: Park Hyatt Hotel, Sydney
Training Institute: Tafe Nsw Northern Sydney Institute, Ryde College
Expert: Marion Fitzpatrick, TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute, Ryde College

Gavin Press
Electrical Installations
Region: Macquarie
Employer: Central West Group Apprentices 
Host: AJS Electrical 
Training Institute: TAFE NSW Western Institute, Dubbo Campus
Expert: John Rudge, OMYA Australia   

Stacey Pitman
Floristry
Region: Western Australia
Employer: Flowers In The Garden 
Training Institute: Challenger TAFE, Murdoch
Expert : Alan Randell-Smith, Own floristry business, Victoria 

Melissa Guiney
Graphic Design Technology
Region: Victoria Country
Employer: TAP Printing P/L
Training Institute: RMIT University, Melbourne
Expert: Sarah Jones, RMIT University 

Benjamin Dean
Industrial Control
Region: Ballarat / Wimmera
Employer: Laser Electrical Ballarat
Training Institute: University of Ballarat TAFE
Expert: Warren Carlyon, Gladstone Ports Corporation Limited 

Nick Davies
IT Software Applications
Region: Sydney
School: Barker College, Year 12 
Training Institute: TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute, Hornsby College
Expert: Caroline Hawkins, TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute, Hornsby College

Joshua Fimognari
Jewellery
Region: Sydney West
Employer: Carina Jewellers
Training Institute: TAFE NSW Sydney Institute Design Centre, Enmore
Expert: Andrew Rose, Malenta Creative Jewellery

Mitchell Edwards
Joinery
Region: Hunter
Employer: Ivan John Mesaric 
Training Institute: TAFE NSW Hunter Institute, Newcastle Campus
Expert: Steve Bulman, Westside Joinery  

Megan Kuhn
Ladies & Men’s Hairdressing
Region: Mid Coast
Employer: Vanessa Hair Fashion 
Training Institute: TAFE NSW North Coast Institute, Port Macquarie Campus
Expert: Donna DeMaria, TAFE NSW North Coast Institute, Port Macquarie Campus

Michael Buist
Landscape Gardening
Region: Sydney
Employer: Defined Gardens
Training Institute: Tafe Nsw Northern Sydney Institute, Ryde College
Expert: Benjamin Meade, Outdoor Concepts

Christopher Dimitriou
Landscape Gardening
Region: Melbourne
Employer: CVGT Employment and Trading Specialists
Host: Outdoor Concepts
Training Institute: Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE, Fairfield
Expert: Benjamin Meade, Outdoor Concepts

Andrew Arthur
Manufacturing Team Challenge
Region: Brisbane
Employer:  Electro Group Apprentices
Host: United Group Infrastructure 
Training Institute: Skills Tech Australia, Acacia Ridge
Expert: Brent Butler, Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University

Kyle Butler
Manufacturing Team Challenge
Region: Sydney West
Employer: Broens Industries 
Training Institute: Tafe Nsw Sydney Institute, Ultimo College
Expert: Brent Butler, Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University

Luke Davies
Manufacturing Team Challenge
Region: Sydney West
Employer: Eddie Dobbin & Sons Engineering 
Training Institute: Tafe Nsw Northern Sydney Institute, Meadowbank College
Expert: Brent Butler, Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University

Kyle French
Painting & Decorating
Region: Macquarie
Employer: Central West Group Apprentices
Host: Wayne Wilson Painting 
Training Institute: TAFE NSW Western Institute, Orange Campus
Expert: Ian Vickery, TAFE NSW Hunter Institute, Newcastle Campus

Tyson Knight
Plumbing
Region: Riverina Murray
Employer: ATEL Employment Services 
Host: A. Murray & Sons  
Training Institute: TAFE NSW Riverina Institute, Albury Campus
Expert: Grant Stewart, TAFE NSW, Illawarra Institute, Wollongong Campus

Nash Mason
Refrigeration
Region: Hunter
Employer: Hastie M&H Air Conditioning
Training Institute: TAFE NSW Hunter Institute, Newcastle Campus
Expert: John Kuilart, Teco Australia Pty Ltd 

Heh-Nian (James) Sun
Restaurant Service
Region: Sydney
Employer: Arisun
Training Institute: Tafe Nsw Northern Sydney Institute, Ryde College
Expert: Brigitte Collins, TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute, Ryde College

Daniel Karanges
Sheetmetal Technology
Region: Brisbane
Employer: Stoddart Manufacturing 
Training Institute: Skills Tech Australia, Salisbury
Expert: Brian Coleman, ALL FAB QLD   

Peter Steinweiss
Wall and Floor Tiling
Region: Sydney
Employer: M D Alvarez Tiling
Training Institute: TAFE NSW South Western Sydney Institute, Macquarie Fields College
Expert: Ron Simeon, Swan TAFE  

Daniel Jones
Web Design
Region: Sydney
Employer:  PeopleLogic
Training Institute: TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute, Hornsby College
Expert: Jarrad Langdon, Jala Design, TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute, Hornsby College   

Joshua Harris
Welding
Region: Northern Rivers
Employer: McKeeco General Engineering
Training Institute: TAFE NSW North Coast Institute, Wolongbar Campus
Expert: Paul Condran, BlueScope Steel

2009 Team Australia Support Team

Supporting the team in the lead up to and during the competition in Calgary is a dedicated group of people, many with a number of years experience at the international level:

Official Delegate: Mark Callaghan, CEO WorldSkills Australia
Technical Delegate: John Shiel
Competitor Team Leaders: Rachel Wallace and Dave O’Donnell
Assistant Competitor Team Leader: Adam Carr
Expert Team Leader: Noel Munkman

Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the support the 2009 Skillaroos will receive. WSA staff, WSA regional representatives, local trainers, employers, Government and Industry Partners will be doing their best to provide each of the 2009 Skillaroos with the opportunity to perform to their best on the world stage.

2008 WorldSkills International Youth Forum

The 2008 WorldSkills International Youth Forum Report and Presentation can be viewed online at www.worldskillsyouthforum.com. 2007 Skillaroos Holly Browne, Candice Faranda and Courtney Barton were integral change agents at the forum, along with 2005 Skillaroo, Jarrad Langdon who acted as facilitator at the Forum.

BBM (Big Brother Movement)

The selection process for BBM Scholarship Recipients will commence following the official announcement of Team Australia on November 6th. With thanks to BBM, 19 scholarships will be offered to eligible WorldSkills Australia Competitors.

International Volunteer Appreciation Day -1st November 2008

It may be a few days over, but never too late to recognise and thank our wonderful volunteers. The International Volunteer Appreciation Day and WorldSkills Australia would like to extend its appreciation to the 5000 dedicated and talented volunteers that have supported the organisation. Without the skills and commitment from these volunteers Australia-wide, WorldSkills Australia would not be where it is today. Thank you!

Pivot Point – Australia & New Zealand

Pivot Point is a global organisation committed to the development and delivery
of innovative, high-quality education systems for the hair and beauty industry.
These systems empower individuals to maximize their potential and elevate
the professionalism of the industry. 

Pivot Point is focused on providing high quality training and educational materials to the hairdressing industry in Australia and New Zealand to help hairdressers improve and expand their services.

Pivot Point International Academy Melbourne recently achieved the highest Three Gold Star Rating from the Institute of Trade Skills Excellence. This rating places Pivot Point International Academy Melbourne in the top echelon of trade educational institutions in Australia.

Got some news? We want to hear from you!

This newsletter is about the WorldSkills community, so we want news from the WorldSkills Australia community. If you would like to spread your news across Australia contact: Sarah Tulloch (stulloch@worldskills.org.au) at the National Office.