Carina Chesson Receives Queensland Day Award We all know it’s the people who make Queensland truly legendary. And when disaster strikes, it’s often the quiet heroes who rise to the challenge without fanfare or fuss. Carina Chesson is one of those heroes. Recognised as one of this year’s Queensland Day's five Local Legends, Carina showed what it means to step up for your community when it needs you most. From heart to hand, her actions during the devastating February floods in Ingham proved that
Read the full storyBull Arab X Vivacious Vixen is a bundle of joy just waiting to bring some serious sparkle to the right home. This gorgeous girl has been in care for over 500 days and is bursting with love, loyalty and playful spirit. With a big, beaming smile and a tail that never stops wagging, Vixen thrives on long daily runs, a spacious yard and plenty of attention from her people. While she loves to stretch her legs and let loose on outdoor adventures, Vixen also treasures the quiet moments like cooling o
Read the full storyFor Prestigious Queensland Training Award Seventeen-year-old Sophie Johnson is making waves in the healthcare sector, earning recognition as a finalist in the 2025 Queensland Training Awards. A student at Gilroy Santa Maria College, Sophie is one of only three contenders shortlisted in the School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year category for the North Queensland region - an impressive feat given that more than 750 applications were received statewide. Sophie is the first school-based tr
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Read the full storyAt 21 years old, Cooper has been named the Motorcycle Apprentice of the Year (MAOTY) for the QLD/NT Zone, an award that reflects his commitment to mastering the craft of motorcycle mechanics.
Cooper’s journey into the world of motorcycles was practically predestined. Growing up in a family immersed in the trade, his father was a motorcycle mechanic who owned a local shop. This early exposure to bikes sparked a passion that evolved into a career. “Growing up, my dad was a motorcycle mechanic, so I was always around motorbikes,” Cooper shared. “And then I went for work experience at Dad's shop.”
What set Cooper apart from his peers was his hands-on experience, particularly when Cooper found himself running the workshop independently for part of his apprenticeship. “I was working alone, without a tradesman, because he unfortunately had an accident. He had to stand aside, so I was pretty much running the workshop. I got a better a feel for the industry and all aspects of it,” he explained. This experience honed his problem-solving skills and developed his ability to maintain consistent quality, a trait that impressed the MAOTY judges.
“You have to work to a certain quality because you're working on people's equipment. But to do that consistently can be hard,” he shared. Despite the challenges, Cooper believes his ability to adapt and maintain quality set him apart from the other contenders.
Recalling his old mentor, William Cross, Cooper credits with shaping his professional mindset. “Willie, my old tradesman, he's great in teaching the trade. Always saying, ‘There's never such thing as a dumb question,’ always helping me to work the situation out."
With his apprenticeship now complete, Cooper plans to continue working in the trade, driven by a love for motorcycles and a commitment to excellence. Hoping one day for the opportunity to work on his dream bike – the Kawasaki Ninja H2 – Cooper says, "It's the cream of the crop, fastest sports bike ever. It'd be pretty awesome to work on one."