Recent AOF winners

2008 Scholarship Winners

Rolf Barfoed
Cabinetmaker of Gowrie ACT

Matthew Ely
Jeweler of Glenmore Park NSW

Matthew Milburn
Carpenter of East Geelong Vic

Thomas Spottswood
Project Fitter from Nikenbah Qld

Hollie Tomlin
Painter and decorator of Geelong Vic

Christopher Whyte
Motor mechanic of Hurstbridge Vic

2007 Award Winners

Christopher Barber
Spray Painter from Nhill, Victoria. Winner of a Joint AOF/VACC scholarship. Attended Gordon Institute TAFE completing his apprenticeship to certificate level three in 2005.

Chris specialises in Automotive Crash Repair and Restoration at Nhill Paint 'N' Panel. Throughout his apprenticeship he was recognised by Gordon TAFE, as a dedicated and enthusiastic student who got on well with fellow students and has the desire to over achieve. He has many hobbies and sporting interests that include Hockey captain and coach which is a real passion of his, also water skiing, guitar, dirt bike riding and restoring cars. Chris has a desire to work in Europe where they have high standards of paint matching and quality.

Josh Lewis
Chef, Geelong, Victoria. Attended Gordon Institute TAFE completing his apprenticeship in 2006. He is employed by the highly rated Melbourne restaurant Vue De Monde.

Josh has won many awards including, VICTAFE Cookery challenge Gold Medal in the category of best desert and first place in the Daryl Cox team appernticeship culinary competition. Josh has worked in all sections of Vue De Monde gaining valuable experience. His community interests include spearfishing and music. He will be going to work in Spain where he has already received the promise of employment at a Top Ten World restaurant "Mugaritz" renowned for its commitment to perfection. Here he hopes to gain experience at a Michelin star rated restaurant.

Karl Lewis
Agricultural Diesel Mechanic, Somerville, Victoria. Winner of Joint AOF/VACC scholarsip Attended Group Training Link Employment Auto Skills Centre in Dandenong and Chisholm TAFE, where he completed his apprenticesip to certificate level three in 2005. He is employed by Paton's Machinery at Mornington.

Karl has received several awards and recognition including Occupational Health and Safety certification. His interests include Volunteer pit crew mechanic for speedway mini service plus bike riding.

Karl wants to work in Canada or the USA where the agricultural machinery industry is large.

Sophie Seehusen
Beauty Therapist, Seaford, Victoria. Completed an Advanced Diploma of Beauty Therapy to Certificate level three at ChisholmTAFE, whilst undertaking a traineeship at "Heaven on Earth Day Spa", her current employer.

Sophie is the proud mother of a young boy and enjoys combining motherhood with her career. Sophie has won several awards including, Regional and National World Skills Gold Medallist in 2005 and 2006, she was a Chisholm outstanding student nomination, International Dermal Institute Outstanding student and Chisholm Hair and Beauty Student of the Year. Her interests include weekly visits to an elderly lady suffering from poor health and providing a relaxing massage, pedicure and manicure along with a relaxing chat. Sophie is a keen snowboarder and music lover.

Her interest in gaining overseas work experience is to gain employment at internationally renowned spa resorts that offer advanced therapy techniques.

Danny Temple
Automotive Electrician, Taree, NSW. He completed his apprenticeship certificate level three with distinction in 2006 at Tamworth TAFE. He is employed at McAlpin and Maurer Automotive in Taree.

His career achievements include Apprentice of the Year for the North Coast Region 2007, Institute of Automotive Engineers Award 2007, Gold Medalist at both the 2005 Regional and 2006 National World Skills competitions. First place at Automotive Technology SkillEx, Wellington, New Zealand. His interests include a passion for the guitar where he has been awarded prizes for Eisteddfods, plays soccer and cricket.

Danny wants to work in Germany and the UK with the leading automotive technology companies.

Kristin Weymouth
Jeweller, Essendon, Victoria. Completing her apprenticeship in 2007 at North Melbourne TAFE where she achieved certificate level three. Kristin is employed by Ken Gray and Alister Reid Gallery providing Jewellery design and manufacture.

Her career achievements include Affiliated Importers - Student Choice Award, 1st Place, World Skills Certificate of Merit 3rd place award, Jeweller's Association of Australia competitor in 2004.

Kristin's interests include participation in Jewellery Industry, NMIT student auction activities and end of year exhibitions, attends live music performances. Kristin has a desire to achieve an understanding of European art and cultural traditions and their influence on jewellery design, together with a broadening of her knowledge of the jewellery industry.

Currently overseas:
Stuart Pilgrim - (Canada)
Kate McAuslan - (Thailand)
Peter Buckley - (departing early 2008)

Michael Byers
Michael is an automotive technician who attended Riverina Institute Tafe NSW. He completed his apprenticeship in 2005 specialising in Citroen cars. He then went on to complete certificate IV (Automotive Light Vehicles) in 2006.

His achievements are; Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers Apprentice with the highest average mark in 2004 and 2005. Nominated for Apprentice of the Year Australia, 2005. VACC Technical Achievement Awards level one and two, 2003 and 2004. TAFE NSW Outstanding Achievement Award 2005.

Michael’s interests are playing and coaching rugby, four wheel driving and bushwalking.

Michael plans to work in the UK at Citroen headquarters.

Michael’s scholarship is sponsored by the Victorian Overseas Foundation Association.

Candice Furanda
Candice is a Hairdressing Stylist completing her apprenticeship in 2005 whilst studying at the renowned Taylor Weir School of Hairdressing in WA.

Her achievements are; Taylor Weir School of Hairdressing Apprentice of the Year in 2004 and 2005, WA State Winner L’Oreal Style and Shoot 2004, WorldSkills State Silver Medalist Perth going on to win the Gold Medal at the 2006 Competition in Melbourne.

Candice will be representing Australia at the WorldSkills World Competition in Japan in 2007. Candice desires to work and gain learning in Milan and the UK.

Carlie Horne
Carlie works in garment production as a Design Assistant. She attended Hunter Institute TAFE completing Certificate IV in Fashion Design, Industry Practices and Clothing Production in 2004. She then went on to complete Certificate III in Millinery plus a Diploma in Clothing Production in 2006.

Her achievements are; Gold Medal at the Hunter WorldSkills Competition for Garment Production 2005, Silver Medal at the National WorldSkills Competition, Outstanding Achievement Award, Jean Bliss Award for TAFE 2006.

Her main interests are touch football, netball and dancing. Carlie plans on working in either London and/or Paris, the leaders of fashion industry who influence the rest of the world’s fashions. Ultimately Carlie would like to open her own fashion label.

Christine Stock
Christine is a Mechanical Applications Engineer in SA. Prior to her current position she completed a tool making apprenticeship which includes such fields as project management, metrology and tool design with the Regency Institute of TAFE, South Australia. Christine then went on to complete a Diploma of Mechanical Engineering plus an Advanced Diploma of Engineering.

Her achievements are; Regency Institute of TAFE Further Education Scholarship 2004, Australian WorldSkills Gold Medal in CAD Mechanical 2006, Holden South Australia Apprentice of the Year 2005 and Current National Apprentice of the Year as a fourth year apprentice. As a fourth year apprentice, Christine served on the Board of Directors of the Engineering Employers Association of SA Group Training Scheme.

Her interest are piano, Yoga, Pilates and Ti-chi plus tutoring English.

Christine would like to travel to Europe or the USA working for her current employer, Imaginit Technologies, gaining knowledge and experience not available in Australia.

Shane Theodore
Shane is employed as a Leading Hand Carpenter Builder in Colac, Victoria. He completed his studies at the Gordon Institute TAFE Geelong in 2005.

His achievements are; 2003 Second Year Geelong Regional Apprentice of the Year, First Place at the Regional WorldSkills Competition , Third Year Geelong Regional Apprentice of the Year , First Place National WorldSkills Team Event, State Finalist in the Victorian Master Builders Awards 2005.

Shane has interests in the following; Australian Rules Football playing for Colac, also has an interest in Rugby League, scuba diving and cricket.

Shane is particularly interested in developing knowledge and experience in energy efficient buildings and would like to travel overseas to a country leading in these areas.

Shane’s Scholarship is sponsored by the Geelong committee of the Victorian Overseas Foundation Association.

Matthew Tyler
Matthew is an Automotive Technician who attended Warrigal and Richmond TAFE Colleges completing his apprenticeship in 2005.

His particular interest is in vehicle dynamics and engine management.

His achievements are; Apprentice of the Year Award for each of his three years at TAFE, VACC Excellence Awards 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Matthew’s interests are his projects of rebuilding a 1971 Kingswood, a Kawasaki KX 250 motorbike and a XM Falcon. He performs local community work and participates in boy’s camps and other voluntary work at parish schools.

Matthew is interested in gaining a position at a specialist vehicle design and build centre in the UK.

Matthew’s scholarship is sponsored by the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce.