The Board has endorsed the Apprentice of the Year Award 2023.  PP Robert Mosel has on as the project.

 

The winner of the Award is generally announced at the Club’s Annual Dinner which is scheduled this year to be June 24^th 2023. The Rotary Club of Geraldton has traditionally given the winner $1000 and depending on the runner of entries a runner up might be considered $250

 

The Rotary Club of Geraldton Apprentice of the Year has been going since its inception in 1964 when a young Ron O’Malley won it as an apprentice Plumber before he went into business with Maurie Drennan to form the Drennan O’Malley car dealership. See attached documents.

 

If you look through the list you will see other notable winners – Robert Dines who also ran for seat of Geraldton in the last State Election and also Laurie’s son.

Teresa Italiano – hairdresser who also competed in the Amazing race with fellow hairdresser Sue Bumbak in 2012.

 

I am sure that you will know other winners on the list.

 

I have a list of Host employers and groups involved namely:

 

 

There may be others that can be added to the list that you may know.

The concept of presenting an award to the Apprentice of the Year dates back to the mid 1960’s whereby the Advisory Committee of the then Technical Education Centre (now TAFE) which was chaired by the late Bert Pepperell, who was the Managing Director of the Geraldton Building Company, decided it was an important recognition given that apprentice numbers were strong and apprenticeships were much sought after.

All apprentices in all trades were eligible for the award providing they had completed their trade studies at the end of the year covered by the award.  It is important to note in those early days, apprenticeships were a full five years and apprentices commenced their terms when they were 15 or 16 years old.  The off-the-job component of the apprenticeship was provided through the Technical Education Division of the Education Department which was the only provider of the off the job studies requirement in those days.

The early award ceremonies were held at the end of each year on campus at TAFE.  The award was supported by the Geraldton Building Company with the event being attended by the Chief Commissioner of the State Industrial Relations Commission, Mr Bernie O’Sullivan, who insisted in attending each year.

The Award was adopted by the Rotary Club of Geraldton and was designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and experience of the winner. This was achieved by arranging an organised trip to Perth with visits for the apprentice to experience advanced skills of their particular trade. The Rotary Club of Belmont would host the apprentice and take them to the various sites/businesses over a period of one week.

To be eligible for the Award, the apprentice must have successfully completed the final year of the off-the-job courses (TAFE) component and be nominated/recommended by their employer.  A selection panel comprising of staff and industry would rank the applicants and decide upon a winner.  The finalists were invited to a formal function and presented with certificates from which the winner is announced and presented with the award.  It is important to note that TAFE is now not the only provider of off-the-job training thus creating an environment where employers can choose their preferred provider, and in some cases are forced to send their apprentice elsewhere to access available courses.  All apprentices within the Victoria District WA remain the target group.

It is interesting to note that many apprentices have progressed through life into successful careers both within their chosen vocations and/or sought opportunities and success in other ventures.  Through their success they made a contribution back into the community by providing employment and/or training opportunities for others in a similar way that opportunities were provided for them. 

The Rotary Club of Geraldton - Apprentice of the Year Award has always held a place of significance in the history of the Club and is an award held in high regard within the Midwest Community.  Currently, the award consists of a Certificate, a cash amount and an ongoing record on the perpetual honour board.

The initial winner of the award was Ron O’Malley in the year 1964 when he was an apprentice Plumber.  Ron has gone on to be a successful business person in Geraldton, as have many other winners of the award.