A local floristry apprentice could be heading to Shanghai next year after taking gold at a national competition last weekend.
Charlotte Follett, 20, won the gold medal for floristry at the National Worldskills Championships at Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre on Sunday, June 15 after three days of competition.
Having won through the regional round, Ms Follett faced off against seven other top young florists from around the country as part of the wider Worldskills competition, which saw more than 600 young people compete.
Though not yet confirmed, Ms Follett will almost certainly travel to Shanghai in September 2026 to represent Australia at the international level of the competition.
Ms Follett said while she had been hopeful of doing well in the competition, it was “just so crazy” to be awarded the gold medal in front of thousands of people.
“It’s a pretty big deal, and competing at the national level is probably something I only get to do once,” she said.
“When we got up to the podium… just looking out over the crowd, it was so surreal.
“Then they called bronze and silver and I was like, oh my goodness. I’m on top of the podium, I’ve won gold. My heart was going wild, it was nuts.”
She said it took some time to sink in that she would likely be going to Shanghai next year.
“I’m pretty nervous about it, if I do get to go; the floristry overseas is nuts,” Ms Follett said.
“But getting to network with overseas florists would really be a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I would be so grateful if I get to go.”
Ms Follett was hired as an apprentice by Jacinta Young, who runs Jacinta’s Flower Studio in East Geelong and is a former National Worldskills silver medallist.
Three years ago Ms Young advertised a full-time apprentice position. Ms Follett applied, but could only offer limited hours and a school-based apprenticeship.
“I didn’t quite have the right role for her… but she showed such initiative that we found her a position in the shop,” Ms Young said.
She said Ms Follett was “very diligent and thorough” and “beautiful with customers”.
“She’s excellent, and we’re really lucky to have her on board,” Ms Young said.
“Charlotte just lives and breathes floristry. She’s always looking at new trends, studying new ways of doing things, and really has a good grasp of how things come together.
“We’re really proud of her. She’s worked really hard and she deserves everything that comes her way.”
