A big hurrah to Brother and GJS for their support of TAFE training! Brother International Australia (BIA) and TAFE NSW have announced the winner of the first Excellence in Digital Decorating Award - student Jiann Mobbs from Bathurst, NSW.
L to R: Dawn Davis, TAFE NSW; Jiann Mobbs (student winner); Adam Magrin, Brother International Australia; Ian Stone, GJS Group Australia
The award is presented annually to a TAFE NSW student studying Certificate II in Printing and Graphic Arts who demonstrates excellence in digital decoration. It provides a chance for students to demonstrate their skills, gain acknowledgment for their dedication, and serve as an inspiration for their peers to pursue a career in print.
This years’ winner, Jiann Mobbs from Bathurst NSW, was awarded the accolade for her dedication to the course, exceptional graphic design skills and adaptability to new print technology.
“Thanks to the support from Brother, GJS and TAFE NSW for the GTXpro Bulk DTG printer, I found joy in witnessing my creations which embody my personality and creative freedom come to life in physical form whether that may be on posters, banners or t-shirts,” said Mobbs.
Jiann plans to continue to work in the print industry as a tradesperson to further develop her skills and understanding of the craft. She also has her eyes set on obtaining a degree in teaching so that she can: “... inspire the next generation of printing apprentices and hopefully encourage people from regional areas to give the industry a go,” adds Jiann.
The award program was launched in May 2023 as a collaboration between Brother International Australia, TAFE NSW and GJS 
Brother DTX Pro Bulk as used by TAFE NSW studentsGroup Australia, and aims to foster the growth of aspiring digital decorators and garment designers by providing them with the necessary technology and educational support. This involved the aforementioned installation of a Brother GTXpro Bulk direct-to-garment (DTG) printer at TAFE NSW, enhancing the learning experience for students pursuing a career in printing and graphic arts, particularly in digital decoration.
“I am delighted to award the first ever BIA Excellence in Digital Decorating to Jiann on behalf of Brother International Australia in collaboration with GJS. Witnessing the impressive display of skill and passion from a dedicated print enthusiast I take great pride in recognising and rewarding Jiann Mobbs for her efforts,” said Adam Magrin, Internal Account Manager Brother International Australia.
The sponsorship program demonstrates Brother's commitment to empowering the next generation of print entrepreneurs and contributing to the evolution of the printing industry.
“The collaboration facilitated by GJS between TAFE NSW and Brother enriches the educational experiences of our students venturing into printing and graphic arts, particularly in digital decoration. Brother's sustained dedication is immensely beneficial for TAFE NSW, empowering us to equip our students with resources for professional print equipment and to lay a strong foundation in the industry, whether their aspirations lie in digital print operation, design, print sales, or print management,” said Craig Rollins, Head Teacher Printing, TAFE NSW.
The next BIA Excellence in Digital Decorating will be awarded in 2025.
