AWARDS NIGHT 2006
Winners Shine was the theme for this year’s
MIGAS Awards Night held on the 20th October
in the Grand Chelsea Ballroom at the Mercure
Hotel. With Ben Ikin, former Brisbane Bronco
as the MC, he kept the audience of nearly 400
guests entertained with antics like that seen on the Footy Show along with side-splitting humour from Dockside Comedy Bar’s, Mark McConville, congratulations was received from Minister Hardgrave and there was dancing till late to the great sound of 4 piece band Cactus.

A big THANKS to Action Auto Group our Night Sponsor and other major sponsors AustralianSuper, Network Odyssey, Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Services, Total Tools and Trade & Technician Skills Institute without whose contribution this night would not be the huge success that it is. It was great to see the support from our hosts to the trainees and apprentices that were nominated for awards as they play an integral part of this process plus everyone
who attended on the night.
Master of Ceremonies: Ben Ikin Comedy to relate to… Mark McConville
With titles such as Director of Broncos Leagues Club, former Brisbane Bronco, Rugby League Commentator and Media Manager – Qld State of Origin Team it’s no wonder that Ben has lots of motivating stories from his expansive experiences.

A motivating factor as Player Welfare Officer for the Brisbane Broncos, is that Ben is
a huge supporter of training in industry.

He assists the team to gain industry skills and further education during their football profession enabling ongoing career opportunities. It’s through this role that Ben has been working with MIGAS to facilitate training and employment of future football stars.		 Presented by Dockside Comedy Bar, Mark McConville kept us laughing with stories of his recent return to industry
as a tradesman Boilermaker and how times have changed since he did his
apprenticeship along with his explanation of the diversity of the Australian male and his comical view of relationships.

Mark’s approach is up front and personal giving the audience a full physical
workout laughing the entire routine. He has an innate ability to connect with people allowing him to zero in on the
finer points of life and present them in a way that makes you laugh and laugh hard.

You can see Mark and other great comedians at Dockside Comedy Bar; take your friends for dinner with side-splitting entertainment. Log on to for who’s on or call Ph: 3391 1110.
Targeted Initiatives Program (TIP) Official Close by The Minister
Bridging the Gap Between Trades and
Schools With the objective to grow a greater
awareness of the modern trades to young
people completing their Senior Certificate
and raise the profile of school-based
traineeships to both students and business
within the engineering and automotive fields,
MIGAS undertook the Australian Government’s Group
Training New Apprenticeships Targeted Initiatives Program. With our strong history in the metal trades, MIGAS placed 110 school students into quality school-based traineeships within these industry sectors throughout Brisbane and Sunshine Coast regions.

The Hon Gary Hardgrave MP - Australian Minister for Vocational & Technical Education praised MIGAS General Manager David Brown for the hard work and dedication of his staff in attaining our final milestone of		 the Targeted Initiatives Program (TIP) a staggering 12
months early for the Sunshine Coast region and 8 months early for Brisbane. “The MIGAS project is an example of what can be achieved when you have a passion and a commitment to building on Australia’s strong economy by investing the time and energy into Australian Apprentices who have committed to a career in the traditional trades.” Mr Hardgrave said. Through this program MIGAS has enhanced training and employment alternatives for young people giving them career options and opportunities.

Already a large portion of TIP trainees have completed their school-based traineeship and are now undertaking a full time apprenticeship in their respective industry
with more to follow. We continue our aim of bridging the gap between industry and students. If you would like more information regarding taking on or becoming a school-based trainee, please contact your local
MIGAS office.

Brisbane: (07) 3868 1815
Sunshine Coast: (07) 5443 2880
Hunter Valley: (02) 4934 4000
Sydney: (02) 9821 1233