Former St Mary's College, Maryborough student honoured with prestigious Women in Manufacturing Award

Beyond the classroom
Pathways

11 Mar 2026

Written by St Mary's College, Maryborough Marketing and Events Officer Aleeca Waterman

The St Mary’s College, Maryborough community is celebrating a proud achievement following the success of former student Zahlee Wheeler, who has been recognised on a state stage as the recipient of the Queensland Women in Manufacturing Leading Apprentice Award 2026.

Zahlee was honoured at the International Women’s Day Women in Manufacturing Breakfast held in Brisbane on 6 March, an event that brings together industry leaders, educators and emerging talent to celebrate the contributions of women in Queensland’s manufacturing sector.

The award is presented annually to an outstanding woman apprentice who demonstrates leadership, initiative, strong communication skills and a commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace culture.

Currently completing her apprenticeship as an auto electrician with Allweld Manufacturing, Zahlee has established herself as a dedicated and capable young professional within a business that is widely recognised and highly valued across the region.

Her achievement reflects both her personal commitment to excellence and the strong industry support provided by Allweld Manufacturing in developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

This year’s recognition was especially meaningful for St Mary’s College, with Principal Bree Brockenshire in attendance at the breakfast alongside current students who happened to be participating in the 2026 Women in Manufacturing (WIM) Delegation Tour.

St Mary’s College is incredibly proud to be the only school in the Wide Bay region selected to have students take part in this prestigious program.

Students Maya, Kashvi, Prudence and Nevaeh travelled to Brisbane as part of the delegation, gaining firsthand exposure to the diverse and innovative world of manufacturing and engineering.

Their attendance at the Women in Manufacturing Breakfast provided a powerful opportunity to hear from industry leaders and to witness the success of a former St Mary’s College student being recognised at the highest level.

Bree was thrilled to personally congratulate Zahlee on her achievement, describing the moment as a powerful reminder of what students from regional communities can achieve.

“To see one of our former students recognised at this level was incredibly special,” she said.

“Zahlee’s journey is inspiring, and her success shows our current students what’s possible when passion, hard work and opportunity come together.”

The Women in Manufacturing Leading Apprentice Award is a statewide initiative supported by the Queensland Government and forms part of its broader strategy to strengthen the manufacturing workforce and encourage greater female participation in the sector.

As the Leading Apprentice Award recipient, Zahlee receives a prize to support her ongoing professional development, including tools, training or education.

Zahlee’s achievement resonated strongly with the St Mary’s College students attending the breakfast, who were able to witness firsthand the impact of perseverance and leadership in action.

For many, seeing a past student celebrated on such a significant platform reinforced the value of programs that open doors to non-traditional and future-focused career pathways.

The St Mary’s College community extends its warmest congratulations to Zahlee Wheeler on this outstanding accomplishment.

Her success not only reflects her own dedication and talent, but also serves as an inspiration for the next generation of young women considering careers in manufacturing and engineering.