A Bacchus Marsh woman went head to head with some of the nation’s most talented fashion students earlier this month.
And although 20-year-old Amelia Williamson didn’t take out any gongs, she says it was a chance to learn and upskill.
More than 500 young Australians, representing 60 skills, competed at the 2016 WorldSkills national competition earlier this month in a bid to represent Australia on an international level in the United Arab Emirates next year.
Ms Williamson was judged on a range of skills, including pattern-making, sewing and design.
“The hardest part was not knowing what to expect,” she says. “For the first task of the day, I thought I’d be alright because I’ve done this a million times, but you’re under so much pressure. You have to think on the spot and pull yourself together if it doesn’t work out; there’s not a moment to spare.”
Ms Williamson says she was time-poor prior to the competitions and couldn’t prepare as well as she would have liked.
“I wouldn’t say I was satisfied, but it’s made me want to do better, push myself further. I’m proud I made it there, but in another way it’s not enough.”
Ms Williamson hopes to eventually run her own business, dressing musicians and creating a daywear brand.
