National NAIDOC 2004 Award Winners

Neil Joseph Fourmile Jnr - Apprentice of the Year

Neil comes from Yarrabah in tropical North Queensland and holds the distinction of being the first qualified Boilermaker from the Yarrabah Aboriginal Community.

Neil fulfilled all requirements and graduated from the Tropical North Queensland TAFE with a Certificate 3 in engineering majoring in fabrication.

In January this year Neil received formal recognition for the completion of his apprenticeship in Engineering from the Training recognition council of Queensland.

He is a role model for other apprentices in his local community as well as school students who participate in work experience programmes in Neil’s workplace.

Neil’s ambition now is to become a qualified Assessor and trainer in his workplace to enable him to train other apprentices and trainees in his trade.

Neil presently works as a tradesman boilermaker on a full time basis with the Yarrabah Aboriginal Council.

On weekends, Neil enjoys traditional hunting and camping and any opportunity to spend time contributing to local community activities and to spend time with his family.