Michael Twitchett recently won gold in Heavy Vehicle Mechanics at the WorldSkills Australia National Championship. Photo: Supplied.
When Michael Twitchett moved out of home at the ripe age of 16, he never imagined taking home a gold medal from a national stage four years later.
He recently won the award in Heavy Vehicle Mechanics at the WorldSkills Australia National Championship.
The 20-year-old grew up in Wangaratta surrounded by drivers and trucks and always knew he was going to be a mechanic.
“A lot of my family have had a lot to do with trucks,” he said.
“My dad drives, my grandfather on the other side used to own trucks. It’s very much something I’ve grown up around and I’ve always had a passion for it since a young age.
“The way stuff worked always fascinated me.”
His Uncle Fritz was the first person to give him a chance, shaping his interest as a mechanic.
“He’s just an absolutely top bloke,” he said.
“While mum wasn’t that keen on it at the start, she has been behind me supporting me, same with my dad.
“At the end of the day, my mum was just being a good mum. She wanted the best for me and to make sure I made the right choice.”
The fourth-year apprentice left Wangaratta to start his studies at TAFE Wagga Wagga and was living in Wodonga before he crossed the border to Albury.
It was a tough period of time for him as a teenager away from home.
“But when I look back on it, I’m quite proud of my story and what I achieved,” he said.
“I only had my learner’s permit at that time so I was driving my bike to work.
“I didn’t really know anyone. I didn’t go to school in Albury-Wodonga, so I didn’t have my schoolmates.”
Michael wants everyone interested in heavy machinery to just give it a go.
“I’m not going to lie, it’s very good money,” he said.
“And you don’t have to be a mechanic for your whole life.
“You can easily work your way up to a manager role and end up in an office. You can make as much of it as you want.
“You can do what you want, and that’s what I like.”
While his uncle gave him a head start at being a mechanic, he started his apprenticeship by picking up the phone and asking people if he could do work experience with them.
“At the end of the day, you gain so much and lose very little if they say no,” he said.
“Attitude is also a big thing. Just be willing to learn. You’re starting something new, you’re not going to be good at it.”
Even though he moved to Albury to live with his partner, he still prefers Wodonga “as a whole”.
“At the end of the day, I’m just a little country kid,” he said.
“Albury just feels a bit too big for me.”
Michael will be getting signed off at the end of the year and plans to keep chugging along and eventually buy a house.
But for now, he and his partner are happy where they are.
This little country kid just wants to take a step back and enjoy things for a bit.
