Seven outstanding Power and Water apprentices were recognised as finalists at the 2025 GTNT Annual Awards held at Mindil Beach Casino Resort recently. Three of the seven won an award, while a fourth was named runner-up.

The winner of the NAWIC Award for Outstanding Female in Construction was Georgina Siebert, completing a Cert III in Electrotechnology Electrical in Darwin. As a first-year apprentice, Georgina was thrilled to be recognised.

‘It is an honour to win this award following my first year with Power and Water. I was one of two female apprentices in 2024, and I’ve never looked back! I am lucky to have some great mentors and managers to support me on this journey,’ she said.

Damien Aarons won the Outstanding Apprentice of the Year Stage 2 category. He is completing his Cert III in ESI Power System Distribution Overhead in Alice Springs. Oliver King was awarded runner-up in the same category and is studying to complete his Cert III as an Electrotechnology Technician, also in the Red Centre.

Jack Rentsch received a special award, being recognised as the first-ever recipient of the GTNT Foundation Commendation. Jack is in the final stage of completing his Cert III in ESI Power System Distribution Overhead in Tennant Creek.

Other Power and Water finalists included Alice Springs-based Jaideep Randhay in the Outstanding Apprentice of the Year Stage 2 category. He is completing his Cert III in Electrotechnology Electrician, and Georgena James, also from the Red Centre, studying a Cert III in Electrotechnology Electrician, recognised as a finalist in the Apprentice of the Year category.

Darwin’s Melinda Martin is completing her Cert III in Electrotechnology Electrician and was named a finalist in NAWIC NT Award for Outstanding Female in the Construction Industry.

Power and Water CEO Djuna Pollard presented the School Based Apprentice of the Year category, with Aaron Cochrane from Katherine winning the award. Power and Water was named a finalist in the Host Business of the Year category, acknowledging an ongoing focus on supporting apprentices, graduates and trainees.

Senior Manager, People Development, Sarah Bass, celebrated the apprentices’ success.

‘It’s wonderful to see 7 of our apprentices recognised at the GTNT awards. I’m grateful to the mentors and managers of all our apprentices and trainees, who support their journey and encourage them to excel in their career with us,’ she said.

‘We have 38 apprentices, 10 graduates, 11 business trainees and 2 water operation trainees across our Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek sites. This growing number and the recognition we received at the GTNT Awards is testament to our commitment to training young Territorians, and to the team who work hard behind the scenes to uplift our early career programs.’

A huge congratulations to all the nominees, finalists and winners!

If you want to find out more about Power and Water’s early career programs, visit the website.

Photo caption: L-R Outstanding Apprentice of the Year Stage 2, Damien Aarons,
Power and Water CEO Djuna Pollard, NAWIC Award for Outstanding Female in Construction Georgina Siebert, Senior Manager People Development Sarah Bass,  Early Careers Advisor Peter Morrison-Evans and  GTNT Foundation Commendation recipient, Jack Rentsch. Photo Credit - North Australia Media.

Photo caption: Power and Water apprentice Jack Rentsch receiving the inaugural Foundation Commendation Award. Photo Credit - North Australia Media.

Media contact: 0401 117 599 / media@powerwater.com.au