A Campbellfield cabinetmaker has been voted Australia’s top design apprentice.
When the Weekly caught up with Sharbel Nemer, the 25-year-old Kangan Institute graduate
had already been judged Victoria and Tasmania’s best design student for
his “ultimate mobile DJ booth”.
And as one of five student finalists in the Australian furniture
industry’s national awards he was about to fly to Perth, where his
creation beat work from several prestigious tertiary institutions from
around the country.
Sharbel is a third-generation cabinetmaker following in the proud
Lebanese traditions of his grandfather, father and at least two
brothers.
Sharbel did his apprenticeship at brother Francois’ Campbellfield
workshops, Fine Cabinetry, and it was while working and studying from
here that the idea for a fully equipped and ready-to-go DJ booth began.
Although it took more than two years to come off the drawing board, the key to any great design is preparation and planning.
“I’m very happy with my piece as it has everything I planned in the prototype,” Mr Nemer said.
“Everything is in reach – I don’t have to move from the centre to control any of the four CD players or two turntables.
“I even elevated the mixer in the centre to make it comfortable to use.”
Teacher Brett Macdonald praised Mr Nemer’s eye for detail and
commitment to fine craftsmanship, attributes that also earned him a
number of outstanding achievement awards during his time at Kangan
Institute.
So where to from here?
“I’d love to see my DJ booth on the main stage of a music festival being used by some of the well-known DJs,” Mr Nemer said.
