QUILL WINS BROTHER DECORATING AWARD
Bernard Quill is the recipient of the 2025 BIA Excellence in Digital Decorating Award, presented by Brother International Australia (BIA), in partnership with TAFE NSW and Brother supplier GJS.
The BIA Excellence in Digital Decorating Award, recognises exceptional emerging talent in the digital decoration industry.
Presented annually, the award celebrates outstanding achievement by a TAFE NSW student completing the Certificate II in Printing and Graphic Arts, with a specific focus on digital decoration. The accolade includes a full year of paid tuition courtesy of Brother, and sees the winning student’s name added to a permanent Honour Roll displayed at TAFE NSW.
The judges said Quill, a designer with 15 years’ experience across screen printing, video editing and mural painting, brought a rich and diverse background to his studies. He was recognised for his strong technical ability and deep creative vision, honed through years of hands-on work.
“As a mature student, I came into the course not just to earn a qualification, but to access equipment that I otherwise wouldn’t have had a chance to use,” said Quill. “Having grown up with a printmaking father and a press in the garage, I’ve always loved the process. But the Brother DTG/DTF printer was amazing to work with. The image sharpness, the overall quality, the speed, it’s all there. And for small-batch jobs, it’s unbeatable.”
Quill’s work spans stickers, t-shirts, tote bags and signage, projects he currently produces under a freelance business he’s aiming to grow into a full-time enterprise. “Winning this award has given me the boost I needed,” he added. “My goal is to transition this from a side hustle into something bigger, something that lets me create every day.”
Now in its third year, the award forms part of a broader initiative launched in 2023 by Brother International Australia, TAFE NSW and GJS. The programme is designed to bridge the gap between education and industry and provide students with real-world experience using professional technology. Through the partnership, GJS installed a Brother GTXpro Bulk DTG/DTF printer at TAFE NSW.
“Quill exemplifies the kind of student this award was created for,” said Adam Magrin, internal account manager at Brother International Australia. “He is passionate, precise and engaged with the possibilities that digital decoration can offer. Supporting students like Bernard isn’t just a feel-good initiative, it’s an investment in the future of our industry.”
Magrin said, “The printing industry is evolving rapidly, and it is vital that the next generation of digital decorators are not only taught the skills but also given access to the tools they’ll be using in the workforce. Brother is proud to continue that investment, and we couldn’t do it without the ongoing support of GJS.”
Craig Rollins, head teacher of Printing at TAFE NSW, echoed the sentiment, “The collaboration with Brother and GJS has transformed our students’ learning experience. It is one thing to teach theory, but quite another to provide access to industry-leading technology and guidance. Bernard’s award is not just recognition of his talent it’s a direct result of that access and support.”
GJS is a long-time supplier and supporter of the print industry, and as an active partner in the programme, has worked closely with both TAFE NSW and Brother for a decade to build a sustainable pathway from education into employment. The company’s efforts to facilitate this collaboration have played a crucial role in shaping the award and creating long-term industry value.
Greg Stone, managing director of GJS, noted, “We are proud to continue championing initiatives that elevate education, and build capability across the Australian print sector. Quill’s win is evidence that when industry and education work hand-in-hand, everyone benefits.”
The BIA Excellence in Digital Decorating Award is now a cornerstone of the Certificate II programme at TAFE NSW and is fast becoming a prestigious honour among students entering the print industry. The next BIA Excellence in Digital Decorating will be awarded in 2026.