BY ANNIE HESSE
A father-of-four has become the first qualified apprentice from Binjari Community after finishing a trade to become a painter.
Thomas Wurramara receieved his Certificate III in Painting and Decorating via TAFE NSW as the course isn’t offered in the NT.
The 37-year-old said the apprenticeship took him four years due to COVID which stopped trainers and assessors from coming to the NT. Presenting the Ngukurr man at his Binjari home with his certificate, Member for Katherine, Jo Hersey, said Mr Wurramara should be “very proud of himself.
“Without Government funding, with four boys at home, he just kept working, even when COVID meant his certificates couldn’t get signed off,” she said. “He is an amazing role model.”
Mitchel Coppin, who trained Mr Wurramara and has know the painter for eight years, said the achievement was “massive”.
Mr Wurramara said he was excited about the end of his apprenticeship as it would now “open so many doors”.
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