South Lake painter wins gold at WorldSkills National Competition

A SOUTH LAKE vehicle painter could head overseas next year after an excellent performance at the WorldSkills National Competition in Melbourne last month.

Dusti-Lee Franchi held off Queensland’s Jac Urlich and Victoria’s Crystal McLaren to snare gold in the Vehicle Painting division, delivering WA one of its 27 medals for the tournament.

“It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve done so it felt really good to come out on top by a couple of points in a tough competition,” she said.

Ms Franchi, who plies her trade with Stokes and Renk Panel and Paint in O’Connor, is now in the running to represent the Skillaroos at the WorldSkills International Competition in Abu Dhabi next October.

She said she would have further training runs to ensure she is up to scratch.

“It’s a great life opportunity,” she said.“With all the countries taking part, it will be the best of the best.”