2011 Winners

2011 Excellence Awards Winners

The CSQ Excellence Awards were proudly supported by Major Event Sponsor Brookfield Multiplex and Dinner and Award sponsor Civil Contractors Federation (CCF).

Awards presented on the night:

  • Training Excellence Schools Program

    1. Hutchinson Builders Award for Construction School of the Year
    – Mackay Christian College

    Mackay Christian College has been announced as the winner of the Hutchinson Builders Award for Construction School of the Year at the 2011 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards. The Award recognises the outstanding construction program the school runs for Grade 11 and 12 students at its Trade Training Centre. The judging panel was impressed by the approach the school is taking to develop construction career pathways, from setting up the Trade Training Centre in 2008, to creating industry support groups to provide on-site opportunities for students. The judges also noted the College’s construction program’s involvement with the local community, particularly the work students have undertaken to assist with flood recovery in the region.

    2. Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Services Award for Construction Student of the Year
    – Steven Jeffries

    Ipswich student Steven Jeffries has been announced as the winner of the Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Services Award for Construction Student of the Year at the 2011 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards. The Award recognises the outstanding achievement of a school based construction apprentice/trainee or student enrolled in a CSQ school program. The judging panel was greatly impressed with Steven’s enthusiasm and attitude. These winning attributes have helped him secure an apprenticeship after he leaves school. The judges also noted Steven’s willingness to help others, as evidenced by his efforts on a recent school trip to East Timor to help build a new school.

  • Learning Organisation Excellence Awards

    3. The Construction Training Centre Award for Private Registered Training
    Organisation of the Year
    – CSTC

    CSTC has been announced as the winner of the Construction Training Centre Award for Private Registered Training Organisation of the year at the 2011 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards. The award recognises a Private Registered Training Organisation who exhibits leading practices in education and training, in addition to developing relationships with industry groups and maintaining community links. The judging panel was greatly impressed with CSTC’s innovation and collaboration with other organisations to help attract new entrants into the industry. The judges also noted CSTC work as a good corporate citizen, particularly its willingness to assist disadvantaged sections of the community.

    4. Mission Australia Apprenticeship Solutions Award for Public Registered Training
    Organisation of the Year
    – SkillsTech Australia

    SkillsTech Australia has been announced as the winner of the Mission Australia Apprenticeship Solutions Award for Public Registered Training Organisation of the year at the 2011 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards. The Award recognises a government owned currently Registered Training Organisation who delivers vocational education training to the construction and building industry. The judging panel was greatly impressed with SkillsTech’s focus on identifying skills gaps in the industry and providing relevant training courses. The judges also noted SkillsTech’s forward looking approach which has them seen them use social media to engage students, implement a unique 24 hour helpline and continually refresh staff skills.

    5. QLeave Award for Individual Trainer of the Year
    – Lex Valentine

    Lex Valentine, a senior bricklaying trainer, has been announced as the winner of the QLeave Award for Individual Trainer of the Year at the 2011 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards. The Award recognises a trainer or teacher who trains with a private or public registered training organisation in the building and construction industry. The judging panel was greatly impressed with the dedication Lex has shown to training over his 18 year career, and the creative and innovative ways in which Lex trains his students. The judges also noted the great assistance Lex has provided to struggling apprentices and those with special needs.

  • Employer Commitment to Training

    6. John Holland Pty Ltd Award for Employer Commitment to Training – Qld up to $5M Turnover
    – Perren & Penny Plumbing

    Local Sunshine Coast company, Perren and Penny Plumbing, has been announced as the winner of the John Holland Pty Ltd Award for Employer Commitment to Training – Qld up to $5M Turnover at the 2011 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards. The Award recognises a construction employer or project who has made an outstanding contribution to workforce development and training. The judging panel was greatly impressed with the company’s strong track record of training apprentices in its 11 year history. The judges also noted the respectful culture Phil and Neil have instilled in the organisation, as evidenced by a number of former employees who have maintained long term relationships with the pair. They have shown a commitment to providing mentoring and support to staff that has ensured quality training outcomes for the organisation.

    7. Major Training & Recruitment Award for Employer Commitment to Training – Qld over
    $5M Turnover
    – Thiess Queensland/Lotus Glen Correctional Centre Project

    The Thiess Queensland/Lotus Glen Correctional Centre Project has been announced as the winner of the Major Training & Recruitment Award for Employer Commitment to Training - Qld over $5M Turnover at the 2011 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards. The Award recognises a construction employer or project which has made an outstanding contribution to workforce development and training. The judging panel was impressed by the excellent project planning and sensitivity to the local community, as well as their ability to incorporate elder wisdom into indigenous training. The judges were inspired by the team’s humility and acknowledgement of their own personal learning and development as a result of being part of this important project. The judges also noted the personal pride team members took in the project, and the complexities that a fully functioning prison has on carrying out the construction.

  • Stars of 2011

    8. QBuild Award for Construction Indigenous Person of the Year
    – John Binge

    John Binge, a leading hand / foreman at Mackay’s F K Gardner and Sons, has been announced as the winner of the QBuild Award for Construction Indigenous Person of the Year at the 2011 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards. Unable to attend the event, his employers accepted the award on his behalf. The Award recognises the achievements of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander currently employed in the construction industry. The judging panel was greatly impressed with the 19 year commitment John has shown his employer. The judges also noted John’s drive to bring his Aboriginal heritage and cultural knowledge to the construction industry and his ability to mentor younger Indigenous Australians.

    9. National Association of Women in Construction Award for Construction Female of the Year
    – Jessica Meek

    Jessica Meek, a Cairns-based electrician, has been announced as a winner at the 2011 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards. Jessica won the National Association of Women in Construction Award for Construction Female of the Year. The Award is intended to honour the commitment and achievements of a female currently employed as a tradeswoman, apprentice, trainee or professional in the construction industry. The judging panel was greatly impressed with Jessica’s drive to succeed in the construction industry, noting her achievements in Occupational Health and Safety initiatives and current enrolment in a Diploma of Project Management. The judges further noted that with her passion and determination, Jessica is a strong role model for women in construction.

    10. Civil Contractors Federation Award for Construction Professional of the Year
    – Andrew Chalker

    Brisbane resident, Andrew Chalker, has been announced as the winner of the Civil Contractors Federation Award for Construction Professional of the Year at the 2011 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards. The Award recognises a professional who inspires others to either upgrade their knowledge and skills or to pursue professional qualifications within the building and construction industry. The judging panel was greatly impressed with Andrew’s well planned and managed approach to his career. The judges further noted the innovative procedures and systems he developed to overcome potential barriers while working on the Corinda to Darra Rail Upgrade project.

    11. Laing O'Rourke Award for Construction Trainee of the Year
    – Arnold Alldridge

    Toowoomba resident, Arnold Alldridge, has been announced as the winner of the Laing O’Rourke Award for Construction Trainee of the Year at the 2011 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards. The Award recognises conscientious and positive attitudes to all aspects of training, and acknowledges the trainee’s level of competence in the areas of communication, teamwork and leadership. The judging panel was greatly impressed with Arnold’s energy and clear vision for the future. The judges further noted the opportunities provided by his employer, RoadTek, which Arnold described as motivation to continue to further his qualifications and career.

    12. Abigroup Award for Construction Apprentice of the Year
    – Neil Muller

    Cairns resident, Neil Muller, has been announced as the winner of the Abigroup Award for Construction Apprentice of the Year at the 2011 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards. The Award recognises the achievements of a third or fourth year apprentice or someone who has completed an apprenticeship in 2011, and required nominees to be motivated and committed. The award also required nominees to demonstrate how their training has enhanced their career and study opportunities. The judging panel was greatly impressed with Neil’s maturity and vision beyond his years. The judges further noted the success he has received in an industry vastly different to his previous career as a chef.

  • Judges Outstanding Achievement Award

    13. Judges Outstanding Achievement Award

    –Shaelee Drummond
    – Lisa O'Malley

    Blackwater State High School student Shaelee Drummond and her teacher Lisa O’Malley have been announced as winners of a Judges’ Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2011 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards. The Judges’ Outstanding Achievement Award is awarded by the judging panel to a nominee deserving of special industry recognition in regards to excellence, achievement and contribution to the future of the industry. This year the judges felt they could not award just one winner, and awarded two candidates instead. Both recipients showed a commitment to industry training and investment in current and future skills and judges made note of an outstanding contribution behind the scenes. The judging panel was greatly impressed with Shaelee’s enthusiasm and very deliberate approach to developing her career in construction, and further noted her creative carpentry skills and the resilience and persistence she had demonstrated on the projects she has worked on. The judges credited much of Shaelee’s drive and talent to the support and training shown by her teacher, Lisa. The judging panel noted everything Lisa had done to help Shaelee succeed and commented that all her efforts have made a real difference.