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Maxine Colligan from Gemini Campbeltown, NSW is one of just 23 young Australians who has won the right to join the team representing Australia in at the 45th WorldSkills International Competition in Russia, in 2019. She represents the country in the Car Painting category.

Like many female spray painters she didn't find it easy to get someone to give her a chance. She completed her pre-apprenticeship Cert 2 in year 12 at school. It took seven months and a multiple knock backs before she found a shop willing to take her on as an apprentice. She is grateful to her TAFE teacher Carl Tinsley from TAFE NSW, Campletown for helping her to stay positive and confident. Tinsley put her forward for the regional WorldSkills competition which she easily won by 17 points. She came second in the national final, however the winner was deemed inegligable. She has also received a great deal of support from her employer Gemini.

Colligan is not a mainstream car enthusiast, she loves Speedway, monster trucks and motorbikes. The Sydney painter loves the creative aspect of spray painting and enjoys experimenting with custom work, pinstriping and airbrushing. She's also keen to travel and understands what a tranferrable skill she is mastering. Future plans include taking a PDR course, understanding office administration and learning to how to estimate. She's already represented WorlkSkills at events such as the Allianz scholarship award program.

Colligan is excited about the upcoming Russian global event: "I'm interested to experience another culture. It won't all be painting and competing, there will be a Russian-themed dinner and we'll also get to do some sightseeing,"

It costs over 1.4M to train, develop and send the team to the International Competition to represent their country on the world stage and give these young Australians an opportunity of a lifetime. WordSkills wecomes donations to assist with the costs involved. You can donate here.

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