The Concrete Masonry Association of Australia (CMAA), Australia’s peak industry body for concrete masonry manufacturers, is pleased to announce that the team from North Coast TAFE – Coffs Harbour Campus has won the 2015 Golden Trowel Award. TAFE teacher Mr Paul Venn led the winning team with apprentices Michael Bonar and Jacob Wade.
Organised by the CMAA in cooperation with TAFE and the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation (ABBTF), the Golden Trowel competition was held from 11 to 13 October at the Wollongong Campus of TAFE NSW – Illawarra Institute.

The biennial Golden Trowel Award saw the best masonry apprentices from across Australia taking part in a unique team competition, where teams had to build a concrete masonry structure with intricate detailing within a limited time.
This year’s ‘castle’ theme required the teams to include the shape of a trowel in the main wall, with paved steps and two turrets. The teams were judged based on precision, craftsmanship and conformity to the design specifications.

Third-year apprentice Michael Bonar, a resident of Coffs Harbour and also TAFE Coffs Harbour’s representative for the WorldSkills competition, said, “Our team worked really well together and it feels really incredible that we won. This win has really boosted my belief in myself that I have it in me, that I can do it. I now have so much more confidence in my abilities.”
The Golden Trowel Award is held in high esteem and attended by representatives of the industry, local media, educational institutions and governments.