QOF Award Ceremony 2026
The QOF Award ceremony celebrates the achievements of outstanding individuals in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector and brings together leaders and supporters from across the community.
These Awards are unique in Queensland and they are invaluable to the recipients but also to the communities and education settings they return to.
You can register your interest in applying for the 2027 awards by sending an enquiry email to info@qof.org.au
Return Awardee Speeches
- Caitlin Baxter – 2025 Scholarship Awardee
- Nasrin Bano Abusali – 2025 Bursary Global Connections Awardee
This year, the Awards showcased a scholarship recipient who graduated from vocational training, Three recipients of a 2025 bursary, one QTA winner .
- James Hickey – 2026 Scholarship Awardee
- Brendon Newman – 2026 Scholarship Awardee
- Chloe Hutchinson – 2026 Scholarship Awardee
- Aaron Hamill – 2026 Bursary Awardee
- Andrew Abbas – 2026 QTA Bursary Winner
James Hickey – 2026 Scholarship Awardee – James Hickey is an award-winning Co-Manager and Master Colourist known for creativity, precision and personalised, health-focused hair care. A passionate mentor and community advocate, he supports emerging talent and charitable causes while staying at the forefront of industry trends, continually striving to make a lasting impact in hairdressing.
Brendon Newman – 2026 Scholarship Awardee – Brendon Newman is an Electrician and Instrumentation Technician at Tarong Power Station, specialising in critical control systems and plant maintenance.
Passionate about innovation and continuous learning, he is also community-minded, supporting charity events and mentoring students, with aspirations to gain international experience and contribute to Australia’s clean energy future.
Aaron Hamill – 2026 Bursary Awardee – Aaron Hamill is a Field Officer with Community Solutions, supporting apprentices, trainees and employers across Queensland.
Focused on leadership growth, he seeks international development through the Extreme Ownership Muster to strengthen team performance, communication and accountability, with plans to share outcomes broadly to build capability across the GTO sector.
Chloe Hutchinson – 2026 Scholarship Awardee –Chloe Hutchinson is an Executive Assistant at Gladstone Regional Council, providing strategic support across diverse community portfolios.
Passionate about leadership, inclusion and people development, she actively contributes to community initiatives while pursuing business studies, with aspirations to gain international experience and bring innovative ideas back to regional Queensland.
