Lillie Brown was 18 and a NSW ArtsReady apprentice when she was named the 2017 Trainee of the Year at the Goulburn Australia Business Excellence Awards.
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In an interview with arts sector body Theatre Network NSW, the Southern Tablelands Arts employee described her “huge surprise” as she “wasn’t expecting” the award.
“I felt so overwhelmed with joy that my host employers even nominated me,” Ms Brown said. “Winning this award has given me more motivation and inspiration to take my career in the arts and as an artist even further.”
Ms Brown had begun her ArtsReady traineeship in 2016 with Southern Tablelands Arts (STARTS), a Goulburn-based organisation that leads creative engagement in arts and cultural development across regional NSW.
“Having a strong interest in the arts and coming straight out of Year 12, the traineeship opportunity really appealed to me,” Ms Brown said. “This was a chance to get my foot in the door and get my start.”
As STARTS’ administration trainee, Ms Brown was responsible for assisting with the general running of the organisation, networking with other artists and helping to develop and deliver exciting arts and cultural events.
“I feel honoured to not only receive [the Trainee of the Year] award, but to also be completing a traineeship in the first place,” Ms Brown said. “The experience I have gained so early in my career is invaluable.”
Ms Brown was concurrently studying a Bachelor of Arts in International Policy and Government at Macquarie University via distance education.
- Nominate for 2018