Santos GLNG trainee wins Queensland Training Award

Early this month one of our trainees, Rob Geebung, won the prestigious Queensland Training Award, the South-West Queensland Division ‘Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year’, for his outstanding achievement and demonstrated leadership qualities.

Mr Geebung was one of five graduates from our Indigenous Horticulture Program which saw him complete a Certificate II in Horticulture while working hands-on in our Fairview Irrigation Project.

According to Mr Geebung, the training allowed him to combine his interest
and skills in the horticulture industry with his love of the land to create a professional career.

“I am over the moon about receiving the award. I’ve never had the opportunity to achieve a qualification before and now this award and my Certificate is something that I will share with my kids,” Mr Geebung said.

“I was immediately interested in participating in the traineeship because of my affinity with the land.  Being a Bidjara man, I‘ve always had a keen interest in all things horticultural, and maintain my own garden at home.

“During the early part of the traineeship I shared with my supervisor my passion for mentoring young people and the enjoyment I get watching these guys grow and reach their goals and therefore I took on the additional role as mentor for the younger men.”

Irrigation Team Supervisor Simon Lovell said he was proud to offer Mr Geebung a full-time role within our irrigation team on completion of his training and strong performance through a rigorous and open recruitment process.

“Robbie came to us with limited exposure to a highly regulated work environment but he worked extremely hard demonstrating perseverance and commitment in completing the traineeship,” Mr Lovell said.

“He showed compassion to the younger trainees and off his own back took on a leadership and mentoring role which helped the other trainees keep focused and also succeed.”

Mr Geebung’s primary role is monitoring and carrying out field maintenance at our Fairfield Irrigation Project which includes 1200 hectares of drip irrigated hardwood plantation and 230 hectares of irrigated Leucaena and forage crops. He will act as a supervisor and mentor to the new trainees that are undertaking their Certificate II in Horticulture.

The Queensland Training Awards, run by the Department of Education, Training and Employment, have been showcasing the outstanding achievements in vocational education and training for more than 50 years. We wish Mr Geebung the best of luck at the State Finals in September.