The LIA and Visual Connections has awarded Chloe Rudd from PrintDNA in South Australia the National Graduate of the Year Award gifting her with a national scholarship prize of $15,000.

The scholarship prize was donated by Visual Connections and the LIA. 

The national biennial award winners were selected from a field of ten finalists who had already won the Graduate of the Year award for their respective states in 2016 and 2017. 

On winning the Graduate of the Year award, Chloe Rudd says, “It is amazing, especially coming for a small country town, and putting print on the map. I was a bit nervous, but it is all part of the process. Three years ago I was sitting with Ian Andrews, Print DNA owner, having my job interview, so I have come a long way.

“As part of the Print DNA program, we go into schools and talk about my process from a high school student to apprenticeship, and now being qualified. So it is good to get them involved and let them know what their potential can be outside of high school, and that there are avenues other than University.”

[Related: LIA hosting final 2017 golf day]

Jason Turai from Orora Group SA received the LIA – Printing Industries Future Leaders Award and has been given a fully paid trip to an international print trade show next year.

Mel Ireland, federal president, LIA says, “The LIA are always honoured to be able to celebrate and reward outstanding emerging talent in our industry. We are happy to present these two acclaimed awards to the deserving winners and we are sure that these prizes will boost the recipient’s careers in our fabulous industry.

“Selecting a winner from such a high standard of recipients is always a difficult thing to do. Thanks, has to go to our ongoing sponsors of this event: Visual Connections, Printing Industries and Heidelberg. They have continued to support us in encouraging the future leaders of our industry.

The finalists that won their respective state awards are Warren Ojeda from Print Media in NSW;  Laura Burgett from Graphics Services, Spatial Services Div of Dept of Finance in NSW; Jayd Kiely from APN Print Yandina in QLD; Sarah Kennedy from Colorcorp in Qld; Jason Turai from Orora Group in SA; Chloe Rudd from Print DNA in SA; Lea Abela from Lithocraft VIC; Ahmed El Rachidy from Visy Food Can in VIC; Ross McClean from Fairfax Mandurah in WA; and Saied Safa from Picton Press in WA.

Ireland says, “The graduates had a memorable experience in Brisbane with site tours of Platypus Graphics and Inprint plants in Geebung followed by a cocktail party the night before the PICA’s. Getting to spend time with these graduates was fantastic. It is always wonderful to be inspired by the new people coming into this industry.”

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