Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › GippsTAFE

Paul Nails National Title

Local apprentice Paul Moloney is the toast of his workplace and his course at GippsTAFE this week, after winning his section of the National Work Skills competition in Brisbane.

By GippsTAFE - 11th June 2004 - Back to News

The cabinet maker and joinery fourth year apprentice, representing Victoria, proved the best in his section and took the title with his construction of an intricate and eye-catching door.

Paul, who completes his apprenticeship with Traralgon business Darling’s Precision Joinery in two months, may have an opportunity to represent Australia at the international World Skills competition, depending upon whether his section is one of those selected for the event in Finland next year.

For the moment, though, Paul and his employer Bill Darling are happy to see the national title come to the Latrobe Valley.

If anything, Bill and Paul’s GippsTAFE tutors were more delighted than Paul with their protégé’s efforts.

GippsTAFE’s Head of Building Studies, Ray Mason-Woods, said Paul’s win was a demonstration of the quality and skill of local tradespeople. "He’s a great kid and he has been well trained by Bill, his foreman Craig Bayley, who both also did their apprentice training with GippsTAFE, and the building department staff."

Bill Darling was surprised by the size of the World Skills competition and the standard of participants.

"It was a much bigger event than I thought it would be," he said. "There were more than 50 categories and about 600 competitors and there was a lot of interest in it. They had 42,000 people through the doors in Brisbane to have a look over the weekend."

In Paul’s section, the competitors had to make a door, following guidelines set out by the judges and completed over the three days of the event. Paul’s effort is a minor work of art, with two hinged mirrors a feature of the front, while the other side includes a series of intricate timber inlays.

He admits it was quite a difficult task. "It was pretty hard to get my head around it," he said. "We only had an hour to familiarise ourselves with the guidelines and the job and then they said go and we had to get into it."

After Paul’s success, Bill was thankful for the assistance from GippsTAFE. "They helped set up the regional event, which gave Paul a chance, and then supported him to get to Brisbane," he said. "Ray (Mason Woods) and Owen (Flahvin, Paul’s teacher) have just been terrific and they were delighted; they’ve already been over to congratulate Paul."

GippsTAFE had another apprentice take part in the competition, hairdresser Nikki Miller from Shear Perfection in Morwell. While Nikki didn’t win, with the title going to a fully qualified hairdresser from Sydney, Nikki said she was very happy to have made the final.

"It was a great experience, I got heaps out of it," she said.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Bass Coast wins National AustStab Award for sustainable road recycling and innovative rehabilitation
  Bass Coast Shire Council won the 2025 AustStab Award for Excellence for pioneering road recycling methods, cutting emissions by 85%, truck movements by 80%, and delivering faster, more sustainable, durable roads with less disruption.
• Gippslander Scott Morris joins national bowel cancer advocacy push at Parliament House in Canberra
  Bairnsdale Scott Morris joined Bowel Cancer Australia's Call on Canberra, sharing his stage four diagnosis to advocate for earlier screening, better treatment pathways, and urgent national action on rising early-onset bowel cancer rates.
• Melina Bath criticised Labor's plan to create new national parks, locking out long-term bush users
  Liberals and Nationals oppose Labor's plan to convert 65,000 hectares into national parks, citing unfair exclusion of bush users despite strong opposition and a 40,000-signature petition against the proposal.
• Shop Local in South Gippsland to strengthen community, support jobs, and keeping our economy thriving together everyday
  Shopping locally in South Gippsland strengthens our economy, supports jobs, services, and community groups. Every dollar spent locally multiplies impact, with increased spending boosting growth by millions annually. Shop Local South Gippsland.
• Bass Coast celebrates Victorian Seniors Festival this October with events, workshops, performances and community connection
  The Victorian Seniors Festival returns to Bass Coast this October with the theme Connect, Create, Celebrate, offering workshops, performances, games, tours, and free transport for Seniors Card holders.
• Eat Drink Play Gippsland celebrates local flavours, award-winning cheeses, and culinary creations from passionate regional makers
  Eat Drink Play Gippsland showcases top restaurants, award-winning cheeses, and artisanal delights. From snacks to gourmet dishes, the festival celebrates local flavours and passionate makers, offering something delicious for every palate.
• Darren Chester met Tom Harms in Canberra, praising his WorldSkills selection as testament to talent and community support
  Maffra apprentice Tom Harms will represent Australia in Electrical Installations at the 2026 WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, after excelling through national trials. Darren Chester praised his achievement as Gippsland talent showcased globally.
• South Gippsland Eat, Drink Play Festival celebrates local food, drinks, live music, kids' activities, and outdoor fun and other updates
  Eat Drink Play Gippsland returns this spring at Leongatha Railway Precinct, showcasing regional food, drink, and live music. With daytime tastings, evening entertainment, and kids' activities, it's a family-friendly celebration of Gippsland.
• West Gippsland CMA hosts free sustainable farming workshops with local landcare groups from September 2025 to March 2026
  West Gippsland CMA is hosting free farm field days September - March, showcasing sustainable agriculture, carbon farming, and local expertise. Workshops cover soil health, biodiversity, biofertilizers, and agribusiness opportunities.
• Darren Chester honours Legacy volunteers' century of supporting veterans' families at national launch
  Darren Chester praised Legacy volunteers at the national launch, highlighting their century of supporting veterans' families. Legacy Week 2025 will raise funds through badge and bear sales to provide vital services.
• Wellington Shire Council to update Community Local Law 2021, ensuring relevance, inclusivity, and strong legal compliance
  The Safer Communities Plan includes Jack's Law to clear weapons from streets, Restart for repeat offenders, and Youthstart to support at-risk youth. Mr Cameron says Labor lacks a plan to tackle Victoria's crime crisis, leaving regions vulnerable.
• Martin Cameron slams Allan Labor government over year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticised Labor's year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings, after multiple ministerial referrals left residents concerned about neglect, squatters, and ongoing government inaction.
• Gippsland Water launches Community Emergency Support Team to assist and support locals during emergencies
  Gippsland Water has launched a Community Emergency Support Team to provide safe water, information, and local assistance during bushfires, floods, storms, and power outages, working alongside emergency services and communities.