Australian Printer was among young achievers on the night, with journalist Carlos Martinez presenting five Printer Magazines Group Awards. Winners included Simon Lu for print finishing, Johnathan Green for graphic prepress, Tom Guy for printing, Chantell Baily for screen printing and Robert Patterson for outstanding achievement.

Michael Kinninmont, managing director of Offset Alpine was the keynote speaker on the night telling the assembled guest that the industry had changed significantly since he began in print however the high quality of its graduates has remained unchanged.

Giving some advice to the winning students, Kinninmont said, “Apprentices have a four year window to learn your craft so learn it well, ask a lot of question and remember that even when your apprenticeship is finished you will always be able to learn something new.”

He continues, “In this industry we get judged on our weakest link so we just can’t have any. You are now on the starting blocks and you are potentially the future leaders of the industry.”

Also commenting on the night, Alison Wood, associate director of Ultimo Collage said the training has been developed in close collaboration with industry. She said, “We expect our teachers to be on the edge of the industry so we are certain what we are doing is current, relevant and high quality.”

Wood continues, “These courses are hard, they are not Mickey Mouse and we know that the students have worked very hard to get where they are.”

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