Madeline Travassaros, or Maddy as she’s known, took a unique path after her graduation from Albury High School in 2023. While many of her peers were looking toward university degrees, Maddy discovered her passion for hands-on learning and a career in the trades. Reflecting on her time at Albury High, she’s deeply grateful for the opportunities, relationships, and experiences that shaped her journey.
At Albury High, Maddy found herself drawn to practical subjects like Metalwork and Woodwork. These subjects, where she could work with her hands and solve problems, lit a spark in her and made her realize that a career in the trades could be her true calling. But it wasn’t just the subjects that played a role in guiding her; it was the teachers and mentors who helped her recognize her strengths and encouraged her to explore career paths outside the traditional university route.
A standout experience for Maddy was participating in the "Girls Can Too Program," an initiative designed to expose female students to different trades. This was where Maddy’s passion for plumbing took root. The program allowed her to explore various trades, and it was plumbing that stood out to her. It offered everything she loved—working with tools, problem-solving, and providing a service that people rely on daily.
Through this program, Maddy secured work placements, which eventually led her to pursue plumbing as a career. The transition from school to the workforce wasn’t without its challenges, but the strong foundation she received at Albury High, coupled with the support from her teachers, made her feel ready for what was to come.
Today, Maddy is a first-year plumbing apprentice with Haitch Construction. Her job is full of variety, from fixing leaks to installing complex plumbing systems, and every day brings new challenges. Being a woman in a male-dominated field has had its moments of unease, but Maddy finds strength in the support she has received in her workplace. She takes immense pride in knowing that her work directly helps people, offering a sense of accomplishment with every task she completes.
Maddy’s journey from Albury High School to a plumbing apprenticeship has been both fulfilling and transformative. She encourages other young women to explore careers in trades and believes that with the right support and determination, there is no challenge too big to overcome.
