Austin Asche Apprentice of the Year

Sponsored by the Gil Court Memorial Fund.

Winner: Ella Cavallaro - Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician

Employer: Power and Water Corporation
Registered training provider: Charles Darwin University

Territory born and bred Ella Cavallaro has worked in the NT’s electrical sector for 10 years. She was the first female linesperson apprentice in the Territory, and in October 2015 graduated with her second apprenticeship - as an electrician.

During her apprenticeship at Power and Water, Ella got to move around the business, spending time underground and servicing its low voltage and high voltage assets. She also helped maintain the Channel Island power station, giving her an insight into instrumentation.

Ella is a strong advocate for women in trades and is nominating for the award to show other females that they can be successful in a career like hers. One of Ella’s proudest achievements during her apprenticeship is starting the 'Sparkettes', a support group that presents at career expos and schools to promote her trade to girls.

Outside work, Ella loves fishing and drums for local blues band '19 Miles and Counting'.

Runner-up: Courtney Cameron - Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Employer: Waterfront Bistro, Darwin Sailing Club
Registered training provider: Charles Darwin University

From year 9, Courtney Cameron knew she wanted to be a chef. She started her apprenticeship at 16 with a steakhouse before moving over to her current employer, the Waterfront Bistro at the Darwin Sailing Club, in 2013.

Courtney entered every cooking competition she could during her apprenticeship, with fantastic results. She represented the NT in the Nestlé Gold Chef’s Hat Award national finals in Sydney in 2013. Back in Darwin that same year, she won a gold medal in the Australian Apprenticeship competition and placed second in the Taste of the Territory Culinary Challenge, with her dish winning overall most outstanding main course.

Twenty-year-old Courtney completed her Certificate III in Commercial Cookery with Charles Darwin University (CDU) in September 2015. Her achievements outside the kitchen are climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge to cure her fear of heights and travelling solo through New Zealand, exploring the north and south islands.