Degrees or Drill Bits?

12 June 20253 min read

Rethinking Education in the Age of AI.

The traditional path—high school, university, career—once seemed like the surest route to success. But today’s young Australians are navigating a different world. Soaring university fees, changing job markets, and the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are reshaping what “success” looks like.

AI is already writing reports, analysing data, and assisting in everything from customer service to medical diagnostics. By 2030, up to 30% of tasks in industries like administration, finance, and journalism could be automated. That puts pressure on many university-led careers to evolve—or risk becoming obsolete.

In contrast, manual trades like electrical work, plumbing, and construction remain largely immune to automation. These jobs demand physical presence, problem-solving, and practical skills—areas where humans still outperform machines.

The Apprenticeship Advantage

More young Australians are turning to vocational pathways. Apprenticeships in trades such as carpentry and automotive offer:

Earn while you learn – start making money from day one.
Low or no student debt – a big plus in today’s economy.
Real-world skills – training that leads directly into employment.
Ideal for hands-on learners – great for those who learn by doing.

Despite this, university is still often seen as the “prestige” option. Cultural expectations and outdated ideas mean some teens feel trades are a fallback, not a first choice. But in reality, many trades offer excellent career prospects and strong earning potential—without a HECS debt.

Blending the Best of Both

Rather than choosing one path over the other, many are combining them. Some students pair TAFE training with university study. Others earn micro-credentials online or develop digital skills alongside a trade.

Think of a builder trained in 3D modelling, or a mechanic who installs smart tech in EVs. These hybrid roles blend the practical with the digital—and they’re in growing demand.

Rethinking the Conversation

If you’re talking to a teen about their future, consider these questions:

What are their strengths and learning styles?
Which industries are growing and hard to automate?
Where are the real opportunities—not just the traditional expectations?

University isn’t the only path to success. In fact, in 2025 and beyond, it might not even be the best one. The future belongs to those who can adapt, apply practical skills, and stay curious.

Information courtesy of Tafe Queensland

Each year, more than 5000 trade students and trainees train at the TAFE Queensland’s Ashmore campus.
The campus delivers hands-on, industry-relevant training across a range of trades including electrical, construction, engineering, plumbing, and automotive.
The most popular trade courses at the Ashmore campus in 2025 are Electrotechnology, Carpentry and

Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s

Young people and school leavers interested in trades can take advantage of free apprenticeships for under 25s, with the Queensland Government covering the full cost of training.
This initiative encourages employers to take on young apprentices and trainees, creating more pathways to employment for young people.
It also supports qualified trade professionals to pass on their knowledge and skills, ensuring a steady pipeline of talent for the future.
If you’re over 25, don’t worry—you can still pursue an apprenticeship and may qualify for subsidised training.
To find out more visit qld.edu.au

More Than a Meal: The Heart Behind Havafeed

There’s something about a home-cooked meal that really says, well, home. For the team at Havafeed Gold Coast, that feeling is exactly what they set out to create — a warm plate, a familiar face, and a sense of belonging for anyone who needs it. It’s a universal way to make someone feel welcome and cared for after a long day at work or a stressful afternoon juggling schedules. The comfort that comes from sitting down to a plate of your favourite family dish is hard to replicate, no matter how tempting the local takeaway might be. But for those without a home, or without someone to share a meal with, it’s a comfort that is often out of reach. Meet the Founders Behind Havafeed Gold Coast After recognising the need to support people doing it tough during a conversation with friends who had recently lost their jobs, Gold Coast locals Lindsay and Robyn Burch saw an opportunity to make a difference. With a newly discovered family inheritance, the couple decided to buy a van and start collecting loaves of bread from local bakeries in an attempt to bring a little kindness to a community grappling with rising living costs and increasing social isolation. Since then, the parents of three have dedicated their retirement years to founding Havafeed, a not-for-profit charity that provides fresh food and support to the community. [SUGGESTED LINK: Havafeed official website – havafeed.org] As former pastors, the pair’s compassion for others comes as no surprise. What started as a small group of volunteers quickly grew into a place where disadvantaged families, pensioners, people experiencing homelessness and victim-survivors of domestic violence could come for a hot meal and a conversation. More Than a Meal: What Havafeed Offers Most mornings at 4.30am, Robyn and Lindsay are packing the van with supplies and preparing to meet fellow volunteers at the Mermaid Beach Community Centre. Once they arrive, it’s all hands on deck to set up tables and chairs, prepare breakfast and get ready to open the doors at 6am. Going through an average of 10 kilograms of bacon each week, the service provides everything from a freshly made breakfast sandwich to a friendly face and a sense of belonging for Gold Coasters doing it tough. But it’s not just food on offer. Alongside a free Sunday church service, two representatives from Queensland Health’s Homeless Outreach Team are available twice a week to provide support. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Orange Sky laundry team also visits with its free mobile washing and drying facilities. [SUGGESTED LINK: Orange Sky Australia – information about their free laundry and showering services] Co-founder Robyn says demand for services like Havafeed continues to grow. While the organisation is busier than ever, she says the people they meet and the visible impact of the service make it all worthwhile. Stories That Make It All Worthwhile Serving thousands of visitors and more than 300 meals each week, Robyn has plenty of memorable stories. One in particular stands out. “I suggested to him that he go home, and he said, ‘I can’t go back there. Nobody would want me,'” Robyn recalls. Lindsay created a Facebook account for the man and, within an hour, five people were looking for him. One offered him a job, while another offered him a car. “They were all there to do what they could to help him,” she says. “Since then, he’s got a better job that he really likes.” He was also able to travel to Melbourne and spend time with his daughter at the Royal Children’s Hospital a week before she passed away. “There’s plenty of stories,” Robyn says. “Just that one sticks in my head.” This September will mark 33 years since the couple began their mission of providing “guidance and hope” to locals. Along the way, they were recognised with the 2024 Senior Australian of the Year award. [SUGGESTED LINK: Senior Australian of the Year award – Australian of the Year Awards website] Gold Coast veteran Michael says the friendship and support he found at Havafeed have been invaluable. “Their positivity and encouragement have lifted me up during some of my darkest moments,” he says. “Thanks to their help, I am now on a path to recovery and am starting to feel like myself again.” Volunteer Anna McHaven, who has been involved with Havafeed for five years, says it is the environment that makes the organisation so special. “Robyn and Lindsay have created a warm and caring place of safety where all are valued and respected,” she says. Of course, the work is not without its challenges. Keeping up with supplies and meeting demand remains an ongoing concern. “We rely on donations and some weeks you’ve got plenty of stuff, some weeks you’ve got half, and then the next week you haven’t got any at all. It’s just like that continuously,” Robyn says. How You Can Support Havafeed Gold Coast It costs approximately $2,000 a week to keep Havafeed running. Along with its generous partners, the organisation relies on community support to continue its work. During opening hours, non-perishable food items and groceries are always welcome at the Mermaid Beach Community Centre, while larger donations can be arranged for collection. Whether it’s setting aside an item from your weekly shop or lending a hand at breakfast, every contribution makes a difference. Havafeed welcomes volunteers and donations year-round. Whether you can spare time, food or funds, your support helps ensure no one in our community goes without. For more information, visit havafeed.org.

Our Community

Crafting Spirits with Heart: The Story Behind Imbibis Distillery

Behind every great craft spirit is a story of passion, persistence and a little bit of courage. For Jason and Maree Hannay, the founders of Imbibis Craft Distillery, that story began with a dream to create something uniquely Australian – and deeply personal. Today, their boutique distillery has earned international recognition for its artisan gins and brandy, but the journey to get there has been just as rich as the spirits themselves. Jason, your background is in winemaking. How did the journey into distilling begin? Jason: I spent more than 20 years working in the Queensland wine industry, so fermentation and flavour were already part of my life. But I’d always had a fascination with distillation – the science and artistry of transforming raw ingredients into something complex and expressive. Eventually, that curiosity turned into a dream to craft my own spirits using local ingredients. That dream became Imbibis. What was it like launching a distillery from scratch? Jason: Equal parts exciting and terrifying! We officially launched in late 2019, and within months we were navigating a global pandemic. But the response from the local community was incredible. People really embraced the idea of an Ipswich-based distillery producing premium spirits, and that support kept us going in those early days. Maree, you’ve had a very different career path. How did you become involved? Maree: My background is actually in the corporate and legal worlds. I worked with organisations like Woolworths, BHP and MinterEllison before joining Imbibis full time. But creativity has always been important to me – I’m also a watercolour artist – so stepping into the distillery gave me a chance to bring that creative energy into the brand. These days I wear many hats: marketing, events, customer engagement… and occasionally bottle labelling and glass washing! Your spirits have already won international awards. What makes them special? Jason: We focus on small-batch production and high-quality local ingredients. Many of our botanicals are native Australian flavours like lemon myrtle, native pepperberry and bottlebrush. The idea is to create spirits that reflect where we live and the ingredients available around us. What does it mean to see your work recognised on the global stage? Maree: It’s incredibly rewarding. When we started, we simply wanted to make beautiful spirits that people would enjoy sharing with friends. To now see our gins and brandies winning medals internationally is both humbling and exciting. And finally – what’s next for Imbibis? Jason: We’re always experimenting. Distillation is a constant journey of discovery. Whether it’s a new botanical blend, a small-batch brandy or something entirely unexpected, we’re always looking for ways to keep the creative process alive. Stay tuned for launch of Ipswich’s very first whiskey. Coming soon. For Jason and Maree, Imbibis isn’t just a distillery – it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, local ingredients and the simple joy of sharing a drink with good company. imbibis.com.au

Our Community

Growing strong girls, empowering futures

By Megan Stray More than a decade ago, while working as a kinesiologist in a small clinic beneath my home, I began noticing a pattern that was impossible to ignore. Young people were arriving not with the usual childhood complaints, but with something far heavier. Seven-year-olds struggling with debilitating anxiety and missing large amounts of school. Ten-year-olds already prescribed antidepressants. Bright, sensitive young girls battling eating disorders far earlier than anyone expected. Behind every child was a family searching for answers, hoping to find the missing piece that would help their daughter feel safe, confident and whole again. Watching these stories unfold, it became clear that something needed to change. From that realisation, Heal.ed Tribe was born. What began as a deeply personal response has grown into a local not-for-profit organisation supporting young girls across the Gold Coast. The first initiative was a small three-day retreat for five girls experiencing eating disorders and their mothers, alongside two teenage girls living in homeless shelters. There was no rigid clinical agenda. The intention was simple: to create a space where young people felt seen, supported and genuinely cared for. Today, almost eleven years later, Heal.ed Tribe continues to focus on education, prevention and early intervention, helping young girls build resilience and strengthen their mental wellbeing. Every program and conversation is grounded in a core belief that no young person should feel alone in their mental health journey. The challenges facing young people continue to grow. Experts predict that by 2030, mental health concerns could become Australia’s greatest disease burden, surpassing cancer and heart disease. Yet beyond the statistics are the real stories and quiet breakthroughs that remind us why community support matters. Because these girls are the women of our future. Watching a young person rediscover hope, confidence and a sense of belonging is powerful, not only for them, but for the families and communities surrounding them. To learn more or support the work of Heal.ed Tribe, visit healedtribe.org.au

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Elevated Alfresco: A Conversation with Mary Sidey of Dune Outdoor Luxuries

For more than 17 years, Mary and Ben Sidey have been shaping how Gold Coasters live outdoors. As the founders of Dune Outdoor Luxuries and the exclusive Australian distributor of iconic U.S. brand Brown Jordan, Mary has become synonymous with timeless design, premium craftsmanship, and serene alfresco living. We sat down with her to talk inspiration, luxury materials, and the secrets to creating outdoor spaces that truly feel like home. The Inspiration Behind the Craft What inspired your passion for luxurious outdoor spaces? MARY: I’ve always wanted to create a sanctuary at home – a place for family and friends to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Travelling overseas exposed me to brands that were operating at a higher level. Brown Jordan stood out for its heritage, attention to detail, and marine-grade materials. Becoming their exclusive Australian distributor was a natural step. Their designs from the 1940s are still relevant today — timeless and enduring. The Art of Effortless Elegance What’s your secret to transforming an ordinary outdoor area into a sanctuary? MARY: Layering and using only the best materials. Sunbrella solution-dyed acrylics are non-negotiable for us – they last and elevate every space. I also keep accessories minimal; the furniture should always be the hero. When the design is strong, the space feels calm, inviting, and effortlessly elegant. Alfresco Trends – and What Lasts What trends are shaping luxury outdoor spaces? MARY: I focus on understanding a client’s lifestyle. Onsite consultations help create flow from indoors to outdoors, making the space feel cohesive. I don’t chase trends – create long-term spaces. For apartment living, I recommend deep seating instead of dining, encouraging more use and comfort. Timeless design always wins. The Dream Outdoor Haven If you could design your ultimate outdoor space, what would it include? MARY: A pool and covered seating area layered with an outdoor rug and sheer Sunbrella curtains. An outdoor kitchen with a built-in Weber BBQ, oversized pots filled with lush plants, and furniture that connects seamlessly to the interior. Outdoor rooms should feel just as beautiful and inviting as the indoors. A Standout Project Is there a project that holds a special place in your heart? MARY: One home in Sanctuary Cove stands out. The developer asked me to stage the outdoor areas. I encouraged them to invest in quality furniture, and it transformed the property. Interiors were staged professionally, and I styled the outdoors with Brown Jordan furniture, cushions, and plants. The result? Top-dollar sale — and the buyers purchased all the furniture. It was the perfect example of how powerful outdoor design can be.