Next Generation - Aurora

From a love of nature to a career in landscape construction, one apprentice's journey shows what is possible when passion meets opportunity.

For Aurora Rufus Wilson, the decision to pursue a career in landscape construction was not a sudden leap. It was a realisation that crept up on her during a horticulture class, on an ordinary day at TAFE, when she sat back and looked at what she had built with her own hands.

"The feeling of sitting back and looking at what I had created completely from scratch," she reflects. "That was what really drew me to it."

Aurora had enrolled in a Certificate II in Horticulture with a genuine love of plants and the outdoors. But one day each week, the class turned to landscape construction. Paving one term, retaining walls the next. And those days quickly became her favourite.

"I loved learning and putting my hands to work," she says. "What really drew me to landscaping was the idea of creating outdoor spaces and seeing projects come to life from initial design to final implementation."

From that moment, her direction was clear.

Finding Her Place on Site

Aurora joined the team at Solutions+, a Landscape Queensland member business, as a landscape construction apprentice. She undertook her formal training with Landscape Skills, also a Landscape Queensland member and trusted industry training partner. Together, her employer and her training provider gave her the foundation she needed to grow.

Her apprenticeship covered a broad range of practical skills including drainage installation, paving, retaining wall construction, machinery operation and workplace safety. Every skill built on the last, combining classroom knowledge with real experience on site.

Known to her crew as Roary, Aurora quickly became a valued presence on the job. Calm under pressure, curious by nature and genuinely enthusiastic about the work, she earned a reputation for asking the right questions and stepping up when it counted.

"I like working with my team because it allows me to learn valuable knowledge and skills from different people who have all had their own experiences within the industry," she says. "I have found the industry very welcoming."

She also speaks warmly about the culture that develops between workers on a shared project.

When you work alongside the same crew through the completion of a job, there is such strong camaraderie. I think it is something you would struggle to find anywhere else.

Recognised for Excellence

Aurora recently completed her landscape construction apprenticeship and was recognised at the Landscape Queensland Construction Excellence Awards as a winner of the Landscape Industry Apprentice of the Year Award for Landscape Construction, proudly sponsored by Construction Skills Queensland.

The recognition reflects not just her technical ability, but the leadership qualities, work ethic and commitment to learning that set her apart throughout her training. For those who have worked alongside her, it comes as no surprise.

Construction Skills Queensland's support of the Apprentice of the Year award reflects a broader commitment to growing the skilled workforce Queensland's landscape and construction industries need. For apprentices like Aurora, that investment in recognition and career development makes a real difference.

Looking Forward

For Aurora, completing her apprenticeship is the beginning, not the destination. With a background in horticulture, hands on construction experience now behind her and a passion for design, she represents something the landscape industry values deeply. Someone who wants to understand the full picture.

"Find what interests you and explore the different roles within that area. Try something and if it is not for you, try something else. Stay optimistic and passionate and you will find a career that suits you."

The Foundation is Set, the Future is Bright

Aurora's story is ultimately about having the courage to follow curiosity into unfamiliar territory. She started with horticulture, stepped into construction and discovered a career that brings together everything she loves. That willingness to try something new, to show up, ask questions and back herself is what made the difference.

Behind her success is a network of people and organisations who invested in her potential. Solutions+ gave her the opportunity and the on site experience and support to grow. Landscape Skills provided the structured training that built her technical foundation. And through the Landscape Queensland Awards program supported by Construction Skills Queensland, the recognition of her achievements has helped shine a light on what a committed apprentice can accomplish.

But at the centre of it all is Aurora. Her horticulture roots, her construction training and her personal drive to keep learning show just how open and varied a career in the landscape industry can be. For those with the curiosity and the courage to explore it, the opportunities are there...

Photo Credits: Solutions+, Landscape Queensland, Aurora Rufus Wilson