The two winners of the prestigious LIA Graduate of the Year awards have been named; Jessica McAuley from Drum Print WA and Robert Smithers of Dominion Print Group NSW, with both receiving their awards at the Queensland PICAs. McCauley received the biennial $15000 Visual Connections– LIA National Graduate Scholarship Prize, from Visual Connections president Mitchell Mulligan. He says, “This scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for Jessica to further her education and career opportunities within our industry.” Smithers collected the LIA – Printing Industries Future Leaders Award, from PIAA QLD branch members service manager, Mel Ireland. His prize consists of a fully paid trip to next year’s drupa trade show in Dusseldorf, and is awarded to the person the judges believe has the potential to become an outstanding contributor to the printing industry.
Winners: Jessica McCauley and Robert Smithers at the LIA presentation
The National winners were selected from a field of nine finalists who have already won the Graduate of the Year award for their respective state. Luke Wooldridge, LIA’s federal president Luke Wooldridge says, “We are very happy to present these two fantastic awards to the deserving winners, and we hope it helps boost their careers within this great industry of ours. The quality of this year’s graduates was first class and there was little separating the contenders.” Wooldridge continued “Once again it was a privilege to have the support of our sponsors Heidelberg, Printing Industries and Visual Connections for our premier evening. The long term support of the future leaders of our industry is greatly appreciated by both the LIA and the graduates.” The graduates had a memorable experience in Brisbane with a site tour at the new Platypus Graphics plant in Geebung, followed by a cocktail party the night before the PICAs. Woolridge says, “It was great to spend some time getting to know these enthusiastic young members of our industry. The LIA would like to congratulate each of the graduates who were already winners of their respective Heidelberg State Graduate awards” Those state winners are: NSW: Carl Weeks, Litho Web, Hannanprint NSW: Robert Smithers, Litho, Dominion Print Group QLD: Paul Talbot, Print Finishing, Greenridge Press SA: Kirsty Sparkhall, Print Graphic Displays SA: Michael Jelicic, ENO Plastic VIC: Luke Knox, Abaris Printing VIC: Robert Mudie, Franklin Printing Group WA: Bronte Vincent, Community Newspapers WA: Jessica McAuley, Drum Print
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