Helaine’s ‘soul-feeding’ career change
Helaine Wilesmith is making a bold career change from banking to environmental conservation to pursue something that in her words ‘feeds my soul’, and won a Queensland Training Award on the way.
Recognised as the 2026 Vocational Student of the Year at both the Metropolitan Regional and State Final Queensland Training Awards events, Helaine was selected thanks to her commitment to changing to a career she felt was more meaningful through vocational education and training.
Helaine is moving on from her highly successful and award-winning banking career by completing a dual qualification – a Certificate IV in Marine Habitat Conservation and Restoration; and a Certificate IV in Conservation and Ecosystem Management – through Envirotech Education in 2026, transforming a lifelong passion for the marine environment into a new career.
A long-time enthusiastic recreational fisherwoman, Helaine’s infatuation with an ecosystem that has given her and others so much enjoyment is now underpinned by a much deeper knowledge.
Helaine’s study transformed the way she understands the environment she has spent decades in. Ecological monitoring, habitat assessment, restoration design and water quality protocols gave her a scientific vocabulary and practical competencies she applied immediately beyond the classroom.
She now sees fishing grounds, estuaries and reef systems not just as places she loves, but as ecosystems she can diagnose, document and help restore.
A passionate recreational fisherwoman and former Vice Commodore of Brisbane’s largest offshore fishing club, Helaine leads conservation efforts with a unique authenticity and connection to recreational fishing that helps her achieve outstanding results.
Among the highest achievements of Helaine’s burgeoning conservation career was her success in mobilising a flotilla of recreational fishers and their boats to support restoration work in Moreton Bay while working with OzFish Unlimited during her training.
Helaine said she was grateful to win the 2026 Queensland Training Award but mostly valued the change that vocational education and training had made to her life.
“I’m absolutely blown away. I had some really good fellow finalists that were all deserving and I can’t believe I came away with the win,” Helaine said.
“Conservation was something that was a passion of mine but I did not have any skills in it. I love the ocean, I love fishing, I love marine animals, and I had an interest in the correlation between the land and the sea and how each impacts each other.
“I decided I was going to follow my passion, so I decided to study and get some skills in that area so I can transition into the field and get a marine or conservation job.
“My training has been pivotal. I don’t believe I’d be able to transition at my age to a brand-new career if I hadn’t done all this training and had these dual certificates.”
Helaine will now progress to the Australian Training Awards to be held in Sydney on 20 November 2026.
Learn more about Queensland Training Awards.