On the Grapevine

By Barb Love

Jul 31, 2023

Tully finds his career path

Reaching the senior years at secondary school often causes a great deal of stress for students.

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Some will need to select subjects and gain an entry score necessary for their chosen course at university.

It’s a time when many have to leave home for the first time to study in major cities.

Many will be unsure of their future and what their choices are. They might be determined not to continue with further study, realising it’s not for them.

There has recently been a surge in young people looking to learn a trade, both male and female.

Cobram teenager Tully Kerr is one of those.

A year 10 at Cobram Anglican Grammar School In 2022, it was becoming obvious to Tully that he needed to think seriously about his future.

After discussion with his parents, Paula and Andrew, he decided that a trade could be a good fit.

Tully applied to do work experience with Shaun Robbins Electrical and enjoyed it from the very beginning.

He spent one week with its three man electrical team and returned during the school holidays for a little bit more experience.

After this there was no further discussion, his mind was clear, Tully wanted to be a ‘sparky.’

Now in Year 11, he’s completing a School-based apprenticeship in that field.

Tully is studying English, Maths, Business Management, and Industry and Enterprise at school and puts in one day each week working with Shaun Robbins and his team.

That is on a Wednesday. He is picked up at 6.45am and generally finishes around 3.30pm.

Tully also attends Shepparton TAFE for one week every three months where trades are highly popular, with an intake of 100 first year electrical apprentices in 2023.

It’s quite a busy program for the teenager who will turn 17 on October 31.

He’ll continue on next year into Year 12, without the need to sit VCE exams, before he begins his apprenticeship in earnest, full-time on the job.

“I always knew I didn’t want to go to university and while I didn’t really know what I wanted, I was open to anything that I really liked,” Tully said.

“Work is challenging but I have my head around it and I am excited about my career and can’t wait to begin it full-time.”

Good mate Ned Bugge at Cobram Anglican Grammar is also undertaking an electrical apprenticeship and the pair are finding that having a friend studying the same trade is a great help.

What will it mean to Tully once he completes his electrical apprenticeship?

“I’ll be able to get work anywhere, have a good income, work outdoors, be hands on in my job and work with skilled tradespeople,” he said.

What more could a tall athletic young man want when the world is his oyster?

Christmas in July a big success

Great activities: Artist Chloe Lee with Scarlett Lean, Nadia Demaio and Gemma Edge. Photo by Barb Love

Saturday, July 29 was a fun filled day as Cobram enjoyed Christmas in July.

Families enjoyed street entertainment funded by the Cobram Barooga Business and Tourism Group with roving artists strolling about providing face painting, balloon twisting and more.

Many enjoyed a leisurely stroll checking out a host of bargains offered at the sidewalk sale during the celebration.

Chloe Lee, one of three street artists from Enchanted Rainbow Entertainment, based in Shepparton, entertained young children with her talents in balloon twisting, while happy smiling faces were transformed into Disney characters by artist Natasha Trungove. It was all part of the fun.

Looking good: Ari Winkles with artist Natasha Trungove. Photo by Barb Love

Specials were offered by stores throughout the promotional week to the delight of shoppers while business owners were thrilled with the response and support they received.

Organiser Cath Noonan, of Noonan’s Showcase Jewellers, and her staff put in a lot of time and effort to arrange the event.

The result was a total of 33 businesses joining together to make it a successful promotion.

Fun day out: Rafaelle Martinez with artist Natasha Trungove. Photo by Barb Love

“It has been a hugely successful week, I think all businesses would agree,” Ms Noonan said.

“We would especially like to thank the Cobram community too for their fantastic support as it has been possibly the most successful one yet.

“Next year hopefully we can have more businesses involved and it will be bigger again.”

Three huge hampers comprising a sensational array of goods and vouchers amounting to a total value of $3795, were drawn by Ms Noonan and her team at the close of business on Saturday.