Page 40 - Australasian Paint & Panel March-April 2022

WOMEN IN COLLISION
40
PAINT&PANEL MARCH / APRIL 2022
THE WOMEN IN COLLISION AWARDS RECOGNISE AND REWARD THE WOMEN
WHO ARE BLAZING A TRAIL FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR PEERS AND THEIR INDUSTRY. THIS YEAR’S WINNERS ARE TRULY EXCEPTIONAL AND A REAL INSPIRATION.
THE WOMEN DRIVING EXCELLENCE IN COLLISION
KAREN PYKE –
REFINISH TECHNICIAN/ESTIMATOR CIRCULAR HEAD BODYWORKS, SMITHTON TAS
Karen could have been nominated in the owner manager category as well. When we talked to her she wanted to know who had nominated her because she just had a small business at the ‘edge of the world’ and didn’t need any recognition.” I’ve been trying to fly under the radar for the last 37 years,” she said.
Karen has worked in this business for near- ly 40 years and took over as the ‘head honchess’ in 2010. She is the owner, the es- timator, the painter and has undertaken panel and plastic weld training. In short, she loves to get her hands dirty and is hap- piest when she shuts the office door and gets into the workshop and on the tools. Ka- ren has a big personality, she is kind and caring and assertive when she needs to be. She is a go-getter and always on the floor giving the guys a run for their money says her nominator.
“Things really have progressed over the years,” Karen said. “When I started we were typing quotes on a typewriter, dealing with “funny money” and using the old brain for R&R times (mind you I still do this). Now it’s all real time pro- cesses and updated computer programs - and even three screens for me.
“It certainly has been a rewarding, yet challenging industry to work in. I love my job, I just wish more had the same enthusiasm in this field.”
TECHNICIAN/ESTIMATOR
ISABELLA TURISSE
REFINISH TECHNICIAN
KINGSWOOD SMASH REPAIRS AMA GROUP, KINGSWOOD NSW
Isabella (Bella) received the most votes of any of our winners and is clearly a standout in her field. Her glowing nomi- nation was from her TAFE teacher and mentioned how she has overcome a dif- ficult childhood to live independent-
ly and excel at her trade. Isabella,
a fourth year apprentice, works in
a high volume, high pressure workplace where vehicles have to be repaired to a very high standard and to very demanding time frames.
From an early stage Bella has dis- played a high level understanding of dif- ficult application procedures and com- plex technical processes. The skill set that Bella possesses, as well as her keen eye for detail, is evident in the outstand- ing success she has achieved at the vo- cational skills competitions she has competed in, including the Regional WorldSkills competition where she was awarded first place and the gold medal. She scooped first place and another gold medal at the National WorldSkills com-
petition. Bella has also had to overcome the difficulties that the pandemic has presented to her preparation and train- ing for the WorldSkills National compe- tition. In the lead up to the competition Bella was not able to attend her TAFE training for 18 weeks, nor could she de- velop her skills in the workplace for the last six weeks leading into the competi- tion as her workplace hibernated.
In the workplace Bella is a valued member of the vehicle refinishing team and has an integral role in the workshop. She has been performing the same duties as long term tradesmen whilst still com- pleting her apprenticeship. Her manager says: “Every day she displays why she was deserving of her gold medal. She is exceptional at what she does with an ex- cellent eye for detail and she takes real pride in her work”.
Bella is now training hard – in her own time – in preparation to represent Austral- ia at the International WorldSkills compe- tition to be held in Shanghai China 2022.
“Every day she displays
why she was deserving of her gold medal.”
Bella is a key team player: “I can say with absolute positivity, that a good team with good connection and communication can overcome obstacles and produce good work the first time around,” says Bella.
Bella has proven to be an outstanding ambassador for VET and the refinish in- dustry in the many interviews she has con- ducted for magazine and radio and has shown that gender is no barrier to excelling in her field. Bella is a remarkable young woman who has achieved success through persistence, dedication and pure talent.