Young boilermaker takes top honour at Cairns Trade Excellence Awards
At just 19, Mitchall Westernhagen has taken out the top prize at the TAFE Queensland 2026 Cairns Trade Excellence Awards, after being named both Engineering – Fabrication Apprentice of the Year and Outstanding Apprentice of the Year.
Hanby Welding and Engineering boilermaker, Mitchall Westernhagen, has completed his Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking/Welding) (MEM31922) through TAFE Queensland Cairns campus, capping a training journey that began with school holiday work experience.
TAFE Queensland North region Executive Director of Education and Training, Leanne Bell, said Mitchall’s success captured what the awards were designed to recognise.
“Mitchall’s employer first saw his potential during school holiday work experience, but what sets him apart is what he has done with that opportunity,” Ms Bell said. “He has shown discipline well beyond his years, from maintaining strong results as a school-based apprentice to putting in extra study and TIG welding practice outside normal hours.”
Ms Bell said Mitchall had also earned respect for the way he carried himself in the workplace and training environment.
“He is skilled, humble and generous with his knowledge,” she said. “Even when a health setback could have slowed him down, he stayed focused and kept moving forward. He is trusted with important work, supports others around him and shows the maturity of someone who has a long future in the trade.”
The Cairns Trade Excellence Awards celebrate the achievements of apprentices, trade students, employers and industry partners across Cairns and Far North Queensland.
More than 2,600 apprentices and trade students train with TAFE Queensland across Cairns and Far North Queensland each year. This year’s awards recognised 101 nominees, 43 finalists and 13 category winners, culminating in one Outstanding Apprentice of the Year.
Ms Bell said the awards highlighted the depth of trade talent across the region.
“Every finalist represents a story of practical training, employer support and hard work,” she said. “These apprentices and trade students are already contributing to local workplaces while building the skills our region will rely on into the future.”
Also recognised on the night was Elder Mareko from Where’s Wally Landscape and Garden Service, who was named Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Trade Student of the Year. Elder is completing a Certificate III in Landscape Construction (AHC30921) and was recognised for his reliability, workmanship and quiet leadership.
After moving to the mainland from the Torres Strait as a young teenager, Elder has built a strong pathway through training and employment, earning respect for the way he supports others and sets the standard in class and on site.
“Elder’s story is one of resilience, growth and determination,” Ms Bell said. “He has worked hard to create a bigger future for himself, and in doing so, he has become a role model for others. He turns up prepared, takes pride in his work and shows what can be achieved through discipline, support and belief in what is possible.”
Talia Rabech from Dawsons Engineering was also celebrated, taking home Female Trade Student of the Year. Talia is completing a Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking/Welding) (MEM31922) and was recognised for her professionalism, attention to detail and strong development across fabrication and welding.
Since joining Dawsons Engineering in the second year of her apprenticeship, Talia has built capability across carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminium, while becoming a positive role model for other apprentices.
“Talia brings pride and purpose to her trade,” Ms Bell said. “She asks questions, applies feedback and takes the time to understand not just how to do the work, but why it is done that way. That mindset is exactly what we want to see in future tradespeople.”
Ms Bell said Mitchall, Elder and Talia showed the breadth of talent being developed through vocational training.
“Each of these winners has taken a different pathway, but they share the same commitment to learning, improving and contributing to their workplace,” she said. “That is what trade excellence is about – skill, attitude, resilience and pride in the work.”
The TAFE Queensland 2026 Cairns Trade Excellence Awards were made possible thanks to the generous support of Gold Sponsor Cairns Hardware.
2026 TAFE Queensland Cairns Trade Excellence Award winners:
Trade Student of the Year:
- TAFE at School Trade Student of the Year: India Nevill, Plumbing, Newman Catholic College
- Female Trade Student of the Year: Talia Rebech, Engineering – Fabrication, Dawsons Engineering
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Trade Student of the Year: Elder Mareko, Landscape Construction, Where's Wally Landscape and Garden Service
Apprentice of the Year:
- Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Apprentice of the Year: Taj Bradley, Industry Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- Automotive – Light and Heavy Apprentice of the Year, Joel Mundie, Hunter Automotive
- Building & Construction Apprentice of the Year, Dylan Bateman, QBuild
- Cookery Apprentice of the Year: Mathew Bower, Bam Pow
- Diesel Fitting Apprentice of the Year: Joel Patterson, Palmer Sea Reef Golf Course
- Electrical Apprentice of the Year: Aaron Hogan, Cairns Regional Council
- Engineering – Fabrication Apprentice of the Year: Mitchall Westernhagen. Hanby Welding & Engineering
- Engineering - Fitting & Machining Apprentice of the Year: Anthony Marino, Austal
- Hairdressing & Barbering Apprentice of the Year: Tia Wilson, Effigy Hair
- Plumbing Apprentice of the Year: Flynn Meade, McGahan Plumbing
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year:
- Mitchall Westernhagen. Hanby Welding & Engineering