CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Mr VIOLI (Casey) (16:44): Young people within our community should be able to choose the educational pathway that supports them to achieve their goals. For many, like myself, their educational pathway is through year 12 into university to complete a degree before entering the workforce. Others achieve their best through an apprenticeship or a traineeship before spending their working life in a trade based career.
To recognise the important role that our local apprentices and trainees play within our community and small businesses, it was an honour to host my Casey Apprentice and Trainee Awards recently. This year's awards showcase the exceptional talent, drive and dedication of our local apprentices and trainees, who give their all to their profession and remind us that the future of our nation is being built today through the hard work of our emerging trades workforce.
All the nominations received for this year's awards were of the highest calibre, with many industries represented, from electrical to automotive and from sports turf management to hairdressing and child care. The finalists were selected by a committee of local tradespeople and employers. Thank you to Billy Crombie from Babaji's Kerala Kitchen in Belgrave and Warburton, Rebecca Humphris of Humphris Nursery and Patrick Glassborow from Hatrick Electrical in Lilydale for the tough job they had in reviewing and selecting the finalists from such a talented group of nominees.
And congratulations to all the finalists of the 2026 awards, including Jai, a fourth-year apprentice in sports turf management, Luke, a third-year apprentice electrician, Chloe, a first-year early-childhood trainee, Poppi, a second-year apprentice chef, Alex, who's a third-year mechanic apprentice, Remmi, who's a fourth-year automotive refinishing apprentice, and Jo, who's a second-year apprentice mechanic.
Congratulations to the winner of the 2026 Casey Apprentice and Trainee Awards, TT, and distinguished finalists Jack and Haylee. TT is completing a plumbing apprenticeship with Walliker Plumbing in Lilydale and was recognised for his dedication to his trade, his strong work ethic and the example he sets for the young people within his community. Jack is a second-year commercial cookery apprentice from the Alpine Hotel in Warburton and was nominated for his leadership, positive attitude and willingness to take on new challenges.
The third-year apprentice hairdresser Haylee was recognised for her commitment to her craft, mentorship of younger apprentices and hard work. It was a great night of celebration, with the finalists, the guests and their employers joining us to celebrate our local trades and our local apprentices.