Michael has the tools to keep trucks in action
24 May 2002
Michael Everett from Tresco has won the prestigious Trucks in Action Award, which is presented annually to Kangan Batman TAFE's top heavy vehicles apprentice.
His prize is something every mechanic dreams of: a state-of-the-art, metre-high and wide toolkit valued at $4,000.
Michael, 25, who trained at Kangan Batman TAFEÂ's Coburg campus, received the award at the instituteÂ's recent graduation and awards ceremony.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Trucks in Action Award, which is provided each year by the Gippsland Field Days, a Warragul-based non-profit organisation. The Gippsland Field Days runs two major events: the awardÂ's namesake, the biennial Trucks In Action truck show, and Farmworld, AustraliaÂ's premier annual mixed farming field day.
Since 1983, the Gippsland Field Days has provided the award for Kangan Batman TAFEÂ's top heavy vehicles apprentice, in order to contribute to the heavy vehicles industry that supports its events. With its criteria based on academic achievement, attitude and presentation, the award aims to encourage excellence in apprentices entering the industry.
This year's winner, Michael, is in the fourth and final year of his apprenticeship with Swan Hill T&I Centre, where he repairs agricultural machinery such as trucks and combine harvesters.
Each year of Michael's apprenticeship training included five two week blocks of training at Kangan Batman TAFE's Coburg campus. During his time at Kangan Batman TAFE, Michael became well-respected by both his teachers and classmates alike. He was also an excellent student, finishing his training 62 days ahead of schedule.
Michael had always wanted to be a heavy vehicles mechanic as he has been 'tinkering' with engines from a young age, helping his father who used to drive trucks. He had also gained experience with machinery on his family's stone-fruit orchard and vineyard in Tresco (near Swan Hill), where he helps out in his spare time.
"I really enjoy my job. I work with great people, and I get to travel around, meeting people," Michael says.
"But the best part is going out and repairing farming machinery. I get a real buzz from helping farmers and getting them out of trouble at crucial times."
Kangan Batman TAFE has 24,000 students across its six campuses in Broadmeadows, Moreland, Richmond, Coburg, Avondale Heights and Essendon.
Each year in May, Kangan Batman TAFE conducts two graduation ceremonies at the Moonee Valley Racecourse to accommodate all of its graduates and award-winning students.
Michael also received the following awards:
- Silver Medallion Award for best student in the Heavy Vehicles Department
- Outstanding Achievement - Level III, Certificate III in Automotive Agricultural Mechanics.
