Maritime Award for Noakes apprentice
Lake Macquarie sailor and one of the standouts of the Noakes Boat and Shipyards apprenticeship program, Prudence Harper, was last week awarded the 2008 TAFE NSW - Hunter Institute Maritime Award for attaining the highest average marks for all assessable modules in the preceding year.
'Hunter Institute Maritime Award to Prudence Harper'
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Twenty-two year old Harper, a fourth year apprentice at Noakes Newcastle yard, was nominated by her colleagues, Northern Yards general manager Joe De Kock describing her as 'an integral and popular member of our team and an important asset to the business'.
'As an eighteen year old, Prudence was one of the original Noakes Newcastle apprentices. She has been an inspiration and a shining example to the entire apprenticeship program,' added De Kock.
After growing up on the shores of Lake Macquarie and racing yachts, a certificate in Marine Craft Construction was a natural progression for Harper who eventually wants to concentrate on boat rigging and spray painting.
'I have lived near the Lake for most of my life and spent much of my spare time on or in the water. When I found out that Hunter TAFE had a course for boat building at their Newcastle Campus I could not wait to get out of school and start,' admitted Harper.
A rugby union player and keen sailor, she has previously raced out of Lake Macquarie Yacht Club and come Boxing Day will cap off a successful year by stepping aboard the local one-off Farr 40 Aurora for her debut Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Following the 628 nautical mile classic Harper will return to work to complete her trade early in the New Year.
Noakes' apprenticeship program offers up to 10 shipwright and marine painting apprenticeships each year across five Noakes sites stretching from Hamilton Island in the north to Hobart in the south.
'There is no doubt that re-investing back into training pays dividends for the company' says managing director Sean Langman, 'but more importantly it aligns with our Noakes Youth program, which is about offering opportunities and choice.
'These days to work in the marine industry you need a variety of skills and knowledge, from modern carbon fibre composite construction through to the old classic timber boats. Our apprenticeship program covers the full boat building spectrum.
'Noakes apprentices worked alongside me on the restoration of the 1932-built Maluka, which I raced to Hobart in 2006, and more recently the company acquired the Rosman Ferries fleet in Sydney which will create opportunities for Noakes apprentices to complete deckhand courses and work on these charming timber vessels,' Langman said.
A proud Harper was presented with her award last Friday at the Hunter Institute Awards ceremony held at Warners Bay.
'I was blown away by the significance of this industry award which considers students from across many marine industries spanning the entire Hunter Region,' she said.
The award was presented by the Chair of the Hunter Institute Advisory Council, Greg Hopper, and CEO of Newcastle Port Corporation Gary Webb, the award sponsor.
by Lisa Ratcliff 
North Sydney, NSW
