PUTTING THE BURDEKIN ‘IN THE MIX’ - CERVONI NAMED NORTH QUEENSLAND TRAINING AWARDS FINALIST

Former Burdekin Youth Mayor Nicole Cervoni has added another accolade to an already fruitful year, being named one of three Trainee of the Year finalists in this year’s Queensland Training Awards. Photo supplied.

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Former Burdekin Youth Mayor Nicole Cervoni has added another accolade to an already fruitful year, being named one of three Trainee of the Year finalists in this year’s Queensland Training Awards.

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The recognition caps an outstanding 12-month period as a Burdekin Library trainee, during which she became an important part of the team on her way to being named as Burdekin’s Young Citizen of the Year honours in the 2025 Australia Day Awards.

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Ms Cervoni was heavily involved in several community programs as a trainee, including the popular Digital Mentors initiative and Cricut workshops. As part of her traineeship, she simultaneously studied Certificate III in Business, completing the TAFE course two months ahead of schedule despite also juggling Youth Mayor responsibilities.

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Her efforts have now earned her a place in the North Queensland Regional Final in Townsville later this month, where she admits any further success would be a bonus for an already “exciting” achievement.

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“I got the phone call, and I was very excited—but very surprised,” she laughed.

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“I made it through the interview stage and thought, ‘I’m just happy to be here.’ The other finalists in my category are amazing, and they’ve done so much to deserve it … I’m just really excited to put the Burdekin in that mix as a little girl from Millaroo.”

The former Burdekin Catholic High School student joined the Burdekin Library team in 2025, and was the public face of a number of projects from her position at the library issue desk.

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In early 2025, the State Library of Queensland asked Burdekin Library if they would like to run the Digital Mentors program, being the first library in Queensland to do so. The program paired young volunteers with older residents to help build confidence with everyday technology, from smartphones to online services.

Nicole was a major part of the program’s success, coordinating sessions, communicating with participants and troubleshooting problems.  

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Her Cricut courses also became a community hit, teaching participants new skills while facilitating friendships and connection.

Ms Cervoni said that while recognition for these efforts was rewarding, the traineeship itself had already proved a dream come true.

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"I have wanted to work at the Burdekin Library since I was little. I had been going there since I was a baby, doing Baby Rhyme Time and everything, and I just loved it,” Ms Cervoni said.

“I was doing work experience at the library before I even got the job, and my mum drove me there every day—an hour drive each way.

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“I’ve now learned so much as a person through this job, and I’ve got to meet so many people."

Born and raised in Millaroo, she said she relished the opportunity to give back to the region that raised her.

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“I’m so lucky to have grown up in a place that is so supportive, kind, caring, and passionate,” she said.

“During that traineeship, I got to give back—give back to those that supported me, that wanted to see me succeed, and those that are always stopping my mum in the street asking, ‘what’s Nicole up to nowadays?’”

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Ms Cervoni now studies primary education in Townsville, where she balances her studies with work.

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After graduating, she hopes to progress through the education sector and eventually help shape policy and drive change within education and rural schooling systems.

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