Painter Toby Christiansen, five other locals recognised at 2023 MTE SA awards
An apprentice painter and decorator from Murray Bridge who competed at the Worldskills Australia competition last month has picked up another gong.
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One of South Australia’s best young tradies can be found right here in the Murraylands.
Toby Christiansen was among half a dozen locals – pictured below – to be recognised at MTE SA’s annual awards in Murray Bridge on Friday night.
A building trades excellence award was just one more accolade for the apprentice painter and decorator from local company Hills and Country Painting.
Only weeks early, he represented South Australia at a Worldskills Australia competition in Melbourne, and was in the running to be named the best in the nation at his craft.
Although he didn’t win, MTE SA CEO Tracey Kelly hoped his success would inspire other local tradespeople.
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“You don’t just have to do the work that you’re doing on site,” she told the audience at the awards.
“You can aspire to be the best in the state, or the best in the nation, or the best internationally.”
Mr Christiansen described himself as honest, hard-working and always willing to give his all.
“I’m inspired by my own dedication and determination, proud of who I am, constantly striving to be the best version of myself that I can be,” he said.
“I believe that my hard work and positive attitude will take me far in life.”
Other local award recipients on Friday night included:
- Full-time employee award: Matthew Lindner, workshop manager at Rivercity Trailers
- Chairman’s award, apprentice: Luke Cox, studying heavy commercial vehicle mechanical technology with Chapman Heavy Mechanical
- Chairman’s award, trainee: Courtney Rigney, studying business with the Moorundi health service
- Third-year apprentice of the year: Jake Woodhouse, studying cabinet making with Pfeiffer Cabinets and Upholstery
- Second/third-year trainee of the year: Ebony Schiller, studying business with Murray Mallee Aged Care
Several hundred people got schmicked up for Friday night’s awards at the Bridges Events Centre.
A total of 75 people were nominated for the 16 awards on offer from MTE SA.
The Murray Bridge-based training organisation has almost 200 apprentices and trainees on its books.
- Purchase a high-resolution photo: $2 at murraybridgenews.square.site.
Disclosure: The author attended the awards as a guest of MTE SA.
