Inspirational graduate Maddison Petrie honoured with major Central Queensland award

Giovanni Torre Published August 7, 2025 at 1.15pm (AWST)

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Maddison Petrie. Image: Programmed Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

Proud Gangulu woman Maddison Petrie is an inspiration to women in trades and her First Nations community, having been recently recognised as Central Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.

Ms Petrie was one of three CQU-trained vocational education and training students honoured at the CQ Regional Queensland Training Awards, held at the Rockhampton Leagues Club on 26 July.

Employed by Shell QGC, she completed Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician/Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control qualifications with CQU TAFE.

Ms Petrie said winning the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award meant so much to her.

"It's a feeling of pride and accomplishment and a reminder of all the hard work and dedication that I have put in over the years," she said.

"Being a First Nations woman and a woman in a male-dominated trade has taught me strength, resilience and mentorship. My passion is to always help support women in trades and prove that no matter what pathway we take or how long it takes if we set our mind on a goal, we can achieve it."

Maddison Petrie receives her award. Image: CQU.

Ms Petrie said the training she received from CQU and on-the-job at Shell QGC made her confident that she'd chosen the right trade as an electrician.

"After completing a traineeship that exposed me to both the mechanical and electrical fields, I knew the electrical field was what I wanted. I wanted to be challenged both personally and professionally and the electrical trade had just that," she said.

"The training I received was amazing... (CQU and Shell QGC) supported me during my entire apprenticeship - they gave me the time to study when I needed it and always made sure I was going in confident and prepared for all my exams.

"Being an adult apprentice and finding a routine of parenthood, full-time work and study was all a balancing act. Having an amazing support network both personally and professionally pushed me to not give up.

"I love that my job can take me anywhere, the hands-on aspect and the satisfaction of completing a trade and passing on my knowledge to the next line of apprentices."

Ms Petrie and the other winners will now go on to compete at the State Finals of the Queensland Training Awards, to be held in Brisbane on 13 September.