Mill's first female apprentice

JAY FIELDING

MARYBOROUGH Sugar Factory will always have a special place in Bri Sengstock’s heart.

In 2018, Ms Sengstock became the first female apprentice in the company’s 126-year history.

Sadly, she was also among the final employees at the mill, where dozens of workers have been retrenched after owner Mitr Phol announced the site was closing.

“I was really excited to be able to show that it is actually possible for a woman to take on a trade,” Ms Sengstock said.

“I applied for the job as I knew that I was interested in industrial work. I was always very hands on.”

The 20-year-old has a love for sugar, having grown up in the industry as well as relatives who worked at the mill.

The Aldridge State High graduate started her electrical apprenticeship after school, having already demonstrated her value to the company, where she had done work experience.

“I also completed a Certificate II in Electrotechnology during Grade 12,” she said.

“I gave up many school holidays to do work experience with different electrical companies in town.”

Ms Sengstock said staff had remained optimistic despite rumours of the mill’s impending closure swirling during the year but the confirmation had been devastating.

“Walking out that gate for the last time was a horrible feeling. You just feel so sad.”

While her time at MSF was cut short, Ms Sengstock leaves with fond memories of her experience and teammates.

“It was a great place to work. It was just an interesting piece of infrastructure to work on. You had old and new,” she said.

“The whole crew was great to work with.

“(There was) always something new to learn and the sheer size of some moving parts was just amazing.

“People don’t understand the effort and work that goes into making sugar. And how awesome the process really is.”

Now in her fourth year, Ms Sengstock has secured a job and will finish her apprenticeship at Isis Central Sugar Mill in Childers, where Maryborough-grown cane will be crushed for at least the next two years.