Business
13 August, 2025
Former Mount Isan in mix for Apprentice of the Year Award
The carpenter is also growing in popularity with his YouTube channel @midlifecarpentry
Mount Isa might be known as the Birthplace of Champions, but it should also be known as the home of late bloomers.
Just like Stephen Cunningham (who featured in last week’s paper), Chris Reppel is also in the running to be the Queensland Apprentice of the Year after he won the gong for Tropical North Queensland.
Born and raised in Mount Isa, Chris actually worked alongside Stephen at the Irish Club.
“After school I went down the road of hospitality and worked at resorts and bits and pieces and ended up in Western Australia,” he told North West Weekly.
“I met my wife there ... we came over to Cairns for a holiday and we ended up moving over.”
Chris, who has completed his Certificate III in Carpentry through MB Constructions, said being a tradie was never on the radar.
“I’ve always been sort of pretty handy; I’ve always done little reno works and bits and pieces around the houses that I’ve owned and stuff,” he said.
“(Fixing up a) townhouse was sort of the awakening. I guess I realised I really enjoy this and want to give it a crack full-time.
“I spoke to Mel about it. She wasn’t overly happy with it! We had a kiddo on the way and everything. It wasn’t the ideal time to do it, but yeah, it’s completely flipped our lives on our head. It’s been unreal.”
At 40 years of age, it was no surprise it took a while for Chris to find a willing employer.
“It took me around six months to find an apprenticeship,” he said.
“I was pretty adamant about what I wanted to achieve.
“I sent out applications to every Tom, Dick and Harry.”
Chris believes it’s the best career decision he’s made.
“It’s a completely different lifestyle. It’s changed me as a person,” he said.
The mature-age apprentice, who is a hit on YouTube with his videos under @midlifecarpentry, praised his wife for her support through the process.
“I won’t lie, we were very, very fortunate. Mel’s paid well through her job. I also went down the road of the government funding, so trade support loans and things like that as well, which helped us,” Chris explained.
“But we lived pretty tight.”
Chris is now in the running for the Queensland Apprentice of the Year Award, which will be announced on September 13.
