Bernard Quill wins the 2025 Excellence in Digital Decorating Award

L-R Bernard Quill (student winner); Adam Magrin, Brother International Australia

Brother International Australia (BIA), in partnership with TAFE NSW and GJS, has announced Bernard Quill as the recipient of the 2025 BIA Excellence in Digital Decorating Award. 

Presented annually, the award celebrates outstanding achievement by a TAFE NSW student completing Certificate II in Printing and Graphic Arts, specifically focusing on digital decoration. It recognises the industry's exceptional emerging talent. The prize includes a full year of paid tuition courtesy of Brother, and the winning student’s name will be added to a permanent Honour Roll displayed at TAFE NSW.

Quill is a designer with over 15 years of experience in screen printing, video editing, and mural painting. He brings a diverse background to his studies and is recognised for his strong technical ability and deep creative vision, which are attributed to his years of hands-on work.

“As a mature student, I came into the course not just to earn a qualification but to access equipment that I otherwise wouldn’t have had a chance to use,” said Quill. “Having grown up with a printmaking father and a press in the garage, I’ve always loved the process. But the Brother DTG/DTF printer was amazing to work with. The image sharpness, the overall quality, the speed, it’s all there. And for small-batch jobs, it’s unbeatable.”

Quill’s design work includes stickers, t-shirts, tote bags, and signage. He currently produces these projects under a freelance business he aims to grow into a full-time enterprise.

“Winning this award has given me the boost I needed,” he adds. “My goal is to transition this from a side hustle into something bigger, something that lets me create every day.”

Now in its third year, the award forms part of a broader initiative launched in 2023 by Brother International Australia, TAFE NSW and GJS. The program was designed to bridge the gap between education and industry and provide students with real-world experience using professional technology. Through the partnership, GJS installed a Brother GTXpro Bulk DTG/DTF printer at TAFE NSW.

“Bernard exemplifies the kind of student this award was created for,” says Adam Magrin, Internal Account Manager at Brother International Australia. “He’s passionate, precise and engaged with the possibilities that digital decoration can offer. Supporting students like Bernard isn’t just a feel-good initiative; it’s an investment in the future of our industry.

“The printing industry is evolving rapidly, and it’s vital that the next generation of digital decorators are not only taught the skills but also given access to the tools they’ll be using in the workforce. Brother is proud to continue that investment, and we couldn’t do it without the ongoing support of GJS,” Magrin adds.

Craig Rollins, Head Teacher of Printing at TAFE NSW, agrees, “The collaboration with Brother and GJS has transformed our students’ learning experience. It’s one thing to teach theory but quite another to provide access to industry-leading technology and guidance. Bernard’s award is not just recognition of his talent—it’s a direct result of that access and support.”

GJS is an active partner in the program and has worked closely with TAFE NSW and Brother for over a decade to build a sustainable pathway from education to employment. The company’s efforts to facilitate this collaboration have played a crucial role in shaping the award and creating long-term industry value.

Greg Stone, Managing Director of GJS, notes, “We’re proud to continue championing initiatives that not only elevate education but also build capability across the Australian print sector. Bernard’s win is evidence that when industry and education work hand-in-hand, everyone benefits.”

The BIA Excellence in Digital Decorating Award is now a cornerstone of the Certificate II program at TAFE NSW, which says that it has become a prestigious honour among students.