Smooth sailing for apprentice of the year
Newport local Michaela Douglas, 22, grew up around boats and spent a lot of time with her parents, Shane and Felicity Douglas, at Douglas Marine in Newport, established by her grandparents in 1972.
She has recently been declared Boating Industry Australia’s apprentice of the year, winning in both the NSW and Australia wide categories, recognising her skill and dedication to the industry. She just completed her Certificate III in Marine Mechanical Technology with TAFE NSW.
“Studying at TAFE gave me the technical skills and knowledge I could bring straight to work,” says Michaela. “The teachers were all so supportive; they put absolutely everything into their students.”
Michaela said winning the award was a ‘huge honour.’
“I am just at the start of my career, but I know this is what I want to do,” she says.
Michaela’s parents are delighted for her, saying there were ‘thrilled.’
“This prestigious recognition reflects her exceptional dedication and hard work throughout her apprenticeship and study.”
Michaela’s parents (left) are very proud of her achievement
Michaela grew up thinking she’d be working with animals, but after time at an animal shelter, she found it wasn’t for her. So, when COVID-19 hit, she went to work in the Douglas Marine office. She loved hearing the boat mechanics talk about their work and considered training herself.
Her parents were very supportive of her decision, and her brothers Luke and Hamish also work for the business. Her sister was also there for a while.
“Mum and dad never pushed us into it,” Michaela says. “It just worked out that we all ended up asking to (join the business).”
Michaela likes the variety of the work, and no two days are the same at Douglas Marine.
“This prestigious recognition reflects her exceptional dedication and hard work throughout her apprenticeship and study.”
Shane and Felicity Douglas
“We work mostly on yachts,” she explains. “We’re dealers for two brands, YANMAR and Volvo Penta, two of the biggest marine engine brands, which we stock the parts for.
“But we’ll work on anything. We do 90 per cent diesel, but also petrol, and we do a lot of engine servicing but also more complex stuff, which is good.”
When she’s not working, Michaela likes to spend time with her family and their three dogs at their rural property in Capertee and, not surprisingly, spending time out on the lake near their farm.
She’s recently taken up sailing with Ladies Twilight Sailing at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport, where the business is based.
“I grew up sailing but stopped in year 10,” says Michaela. “It got too competitive for me. But I started ladies’ twilight sailing with mum last year, which is nice.”
Michaela is now completing her Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology at Hornsby TAFE.
“Our industry’s going electrical,” Michaela explains. “We’ll often work on a boat and find a minor electrical fault, which means we need to get an electrician in. So, hopefully, with me doing this (training), I’ll be able to do that. And when (boats become electrified), I’ll already have a head start.”
Michaela says there are quite a few electric boats already, with Douglas Marine selling electric outboards and more electrical components being introduced.
“We’re definitely getting more electric inboards, too,” says Michaela. “I think we’re 10 years behind the car industry, so it will happen.”