But the older she got the more fascinated she became with electricity – everything from how it was produced to how it made ovens work.

Her change of direction was crowned when she was named Apprentice of the Year in front of 450 guests at the annual GTNT Group Awards in early June.

The awards celebrate the achievements of GTNT Group apprentices, trainees, students, supervisors and host businesses, as well as 36 years of employing and supporting thousands of apprentices and trainees and partnering with host businesses.

Abbe is an electrician and instrumentation technician with South32-GEMCO at the manganese mine on Groote Eylandt.

She is in her first year as a fully- qualified tradie after gaining a Certificate lll in Electrotechnology Electrician and Certificates lll and lV in Instrumentation and Control.

“I love my job,” says 23-year-old Abbe, who was born in Darwin but spent most of her childhood in remote communities. “Everyone at work is super helpful.

“My friends were supportive when I told them I was going to become an apprentice electrician, although they were shocked because I was going to uni to become a midwife.

“But I was interested in electricity – I wanted to know what tradies did when they fixed the cooker.”

Another major winner at the GTNT Group Awards night at Mindil Beach Casino Resort was Matt Blankenspoor, who was named Supervisor of the Year.

He manages Tennant Creek power station for Territory Generation.

Matt, who is a diesel mechanic by trade, has upskilled himself in many ways over the years.

“We’ve got a good little crew here,” he says. “We all have to do little extra jobs because we don’t have a big staff. We enjoy that.”

Trainee of the Year was won by Tahnee Henderson, who completed a Certificate III in Business and is hosted by Charles Darwin University.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year was Kit Hawes, who completed a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and is hosted by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia in Yulara.

Territory Generation was named Host Business of the Year – Large Employer and Asbuild NT Host Business of the Year – Small Employer for their dedication to delivering quality training programs.

There were 49 finalists in 12 categories.

GTNT Group Chief Executive Officer Kathryn Stenson says: “With 450 guests in attendance, it was a fantastic celebration of the talent, dedication and determination we see right across the Territory.

“It was especially rewarding to have so many industry leaders and dignitaries join us in recognising the achievements of apprentices, trainees and the businesses that support them.”

And Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro says: “Huge congratulations to all the finalists, and a special shoutout to Abbe Ayres from GEMCO, Groote Eylandt, who took home the title of GTNT Apprentice of the Year.”

GTNT Group thanked the event sponsors: Calvert Technologies, Hot100, Mindil Beach Casino Resort, the NT News, Master Builders NT, Charles Darwin University, NEC, MATES in Construction, Bridge Toyota, Chamber of Commerce NT, Nyirrunggulung-RISE and Rotary Darwin District 9560.

Category sponsors were: Charles Darwin University TAFE, Cultural Journeys, ISACNT, Kinetic IT,
Power and Water Corporation, NAWIC NT, NT Powerlines and Electrical, Northern Territory Government, Shell Australia, Territory Generation, WANT Training Services and YouthWorX NT.

Prize sponsors were: North Australia Media and Mindil Beach Casino Resort.

THE WINNERS

Apprentice of the Year
Abbe Ayres
South32-GEMCO

Trainee of the Year
Tahnee Henderson
Charles Darwin University

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year 
Kathleen “Kit” Hawes
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

Host Business of the Year – Large Employer
Territory Generation

Host Business of the Year – Small Employer
Asbuild NT, Alice Springs

Supervisor of the Year
Matt Blankenspoor
Territory Generation, Tennant Creek

School-Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
Aaron Cochrane
CSA Auto Election and Air-conditioning, Katherine

Shell Prelude to the Future Apprentice of the Year 
Ethan Bush
Scott Services, Darwin

Outstanding Apprentice – Stage 1
George Beattie
Bridge Toyota, Darwin

Outstanding Apprentice – Stage 2
Damien Aarons
Power and Water Corporation, Darwin

Outstanding Apprentice – Stage 3
Sidney Huggett
South32-GEMCO, Groote Eylandt

Institute of Skills and Training Australia – Student of the Year 
Helena Gallagher
GTNT Group, Darwin

Most Outstanding Female in the Construction Industry
Georgina Siebert
Power and Water Corporation, Darwin

COMMENDATION AWARDS

Hot100 Rising Star
Kaylisha Mamarika
South32-GEMCO, Groote Eylandt

Calvert
Keigan Blake
Gebie Civil and Construction, Groote Eylandt

GTNT Foundation
Jack Rentsch
Power and Water, Tennant Creek