FRONTLINE’S TSUI IS LIA NSW WINNER
The Heidelberg/LIA NSW 2023 Graduate of the Year Award has been won by Jervis Tsui from Frontline Print, with the Employers Award presented to Frontline’s business manager Yash DeGamia.
Tsui will now go forward for the national award, which will be presented during Visual Impact next month, and which comes with $15,000 in prizes. Ten graduates are vying for the overall winners prize; the five state winners form this year and the five winners from last year.
Tsui said he was honoured to be awarded NSW Graduate of the Year for 2023 and to receive the Heidelberg/LIA award. He said, “I am looking forward to attending and competing for LIA national awards at Visual Impact.
Frontline print, business manager, Yash DeGamia thanked Heidelberg's Michael Collins for the employer’s award, with Collins, Savas Mystakidis, Julie Sarro all presenting from Heidelberg.
The educational grant for the national winner comes courtesy of $10,000 from sponsor Visual Connections, while another graduate will receive a $5000 Future Leaders grant from sponsor Ball & Doggett. Together the two grants add up to one of the best prizes for young people in any industry.
The presentation event is set for 5-7pm Thursday 4 May, at the Seminar Theatre, which is on stand G26 in Halls 5 and 6 at the Sydney Showground at Sydney Olympic Park.
Tickets are $30, which includes refreshments of drinks and canapes, as well as networking, click here to register, by 23 April, to share in the exciting moments for the youngsters, and for the industry.
The LIA awards are designed to encourage young talent in the print, sign and display industry. The Awards are sponsored by Heidelberg, Visual Connections and Ball & Doggett.
Visual Impact takes place across 3-5 May, with a focus on the sign and display sector. Click here to register for free entry.
The LIA, Heidelberg Graduate of the Year Award is presented yearly in each state. This is the longest running continuous award of the Institute, dating back to 1972, when it was known as the LIA Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by Seligson and Clare, the then Heidelberg agents in Australia. This award is presented annually in each mainland state at special award presentation dinners. Heidelberg provides handsome award plaques to the winners and certificates to the employer.
The winning graduate in each state is chosen by a highly qualified judging panel of LIA members. The candidates are put forward by TAFE teaching staff or RTO as the ‘pick of the bunch’ in their particular stream. There are usually four to eight such candidates in each state, generally covering the spectrum of the printing trades.
Every two years Heidelberg funds the air fares and accommodation of the winning state graduates to the LIA’s Biennial conference. There, apart from active participation in the conference programme, they are individually interviewed by a national judging panel of eminent industry leaders, and a winner is selected to receive the Visual Connections – LIA National Graduate Scholarship Prize.
A condition of acceptance of this prize is, that the money must be used in the furtherance of the winner’s education. The announcement of the winner and the presentation of the Prize is the highlight presentation of the conference gala dinner.
There are usually ten graduates vying for the $15,000 in prize money, comprising the winning state graduates from the current and previous year. Mitch Mulligan, managing director of Böttcher Australia and Visual Conections board member says, “Without exception, when they come together, their spirit and enthusiasm is infectious. They are hosted by major printing companies, who provide informative plant tours and hospitality, they get to know each other, and in some cases form lasting friendships.”