Geon girl beats the boys at LIA awards

Geon’s premedia operator, Samantha Alford, shines at last week’s LIA Graduate Awards in Victoria.

The 24-year-old was the lone female, up against six males in the competition for the best young printers in Victoria.

According to Alford, she was “shocked” but extremely happy to learn that she had won. “It was nice to beat the boys. I was surprised that I was the only female in the running – it shows how the industry is still male-dominated," she said.

"I congratulate the other nominees and wish them all the very best for their future endeavors. I also thank the LIA and Heidelberg for this fantastic opportunity, GEON for its continued support and the endless opportunities it has provided and RMIT for their fantastic course, teachers, staff and facilities."

Alford’s entry into the printing industry came four years ago when she left her home in rural Victoria to gain employment. She came across an apprenticeship with Penfold Buscombe (now Geon), online, applied and has not looked back since.

It was a chance encounter, and one that she admits may not have occurred otherwise. “I hadn’t really heard of the printing industry before,” she said. “It would have been nice to know about it at school.”

Pictured: (l-r) Lindsay Banks, LIA Victoria president; David Caldwell, Apprenticeships Plus; Samantha Alford and John Jinnette, Geon Premedia Manager.

For three years, Alford studied at RMIT as part of her apprenticeship; time that she believes was well spent. “They have brilliant teachers with lots of experienced; they were a great support,” she said.

With no plans of leaving the industry, Alford aspires to explore colour management. She also has plans to promote printing to other youth who, like she once did, may not consider it a possible career.

“It isn’t brought up just how many opportunities there are in the industry and I would like to encourage other women to get involved,” she said.