Students honoured by awards
ROCKHAMPTON'S Dominic Marrinan and Dylan Mann are constantly juggling school with work, all the while trying to find the time to be a normal teenager.
But the hard work has paid off, with both grade 12 Emmaus College students named finalists in the Queensland Training Awards for the Central Queensland region.
Dominic, who is completing a carpentry apprenticeship with Burns and Twigg, is up for School-based Apprentice of the Year.
He said it was good to be recognised for his hard work.
"I'm pretty happy with myself," he said.
"I had only just turned 16 when I started my apprenticeship.
"It was strange going from the big fish here (at school) to being a little fella in the adult world."
Dylan is undertaking a traineeship at Commonwealth Bank as a customer service representative and was named a finalist in the Indigenous School-based Trainee of the Year category.
Dylan was proud of his achievement.
"It means we're doing something good and shining out in the community.
"Even if I don't win, it's the experience that counts."
He hoped to one day become a financial planner or branch manager.
"The branch manager where I work is really confident with what he's doing and he inspired me."
Dominic hoped to stay in the commercial carpentry field after he graduated.
"I've always worked with my hands," he said.
"I like timber and I like being outside, so carpentry was a natural fit."
The awards will be announced on August 4, with Dylan travelling to a ceremony in Brisbane and Dominic attending one in Mackay.
