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Media release
TAFE NSW Hamilton | 20 August 2025
Rising baking star adds international win to growing list of accolades
“Baking started out as a family thing, but now it’s what I love. Studying at TAFE NSW gave me a whole new perspective - the teachers were incredibly supportive and went out of their way to help us succeed.”
Connor Beisler, TAFE NSW Hamilton graduate
Dungog’s Connor Beisler is baking up a storm, adding another major win to his name after claiming a trophy for Team Australia at the prestigious ANZBake competition.
The 20-year-old TAFE NSW graduate recently won gold at the WorldSkills Australia 2025 National Championships and an Apprentice Baker of the Year Award. He was hand-picked for the international showdown, competing against New Zealand’s top bakers last month.
Connor completed a Certificate III in Retail Baking at TAFE NSW Hamilton and now works at his family’s business, Dungog Barrington Bakery – a beloved local shop that’s been passed down from his grandfather to his father, and now fuels Connor’s passion.
“Baking started out as a family thing, but now it’s what I love. Studying at TAFE NSW gave me a whole new perspective – the teachers were incredibly supportive and went out of their way to help us succeed.
Working in the family business definitely has its perks. I’m learning a lot every day – about ingredients, techniques, and the science behind baking, and looking forward to growing my skills further. This is just the beginning,” Mr Beisler said.
Connor teamed up with Jonny Pisanelli, Brendon Woodward, and William Nickl to go head-to-head with Team New Zealand. As part of the ANZBake competition, both countries were judged on their technical and creative baking abilities.
Connor’s role included creating a multigrain dough from scratch, shaping baguettes and sourdough loaves, and presenting them for judging. “It was stressful but so rewarding. Winning wasn’t so much a surprise – more a huge relief that the hours of hard work paid off,” Mr Beisler said.
TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Baking, Lodewijk De Winter said TAFE NSW helps prepare students for competitions and work in the industry. “Our practical courses give students the hands-on skills and confidence they need to compete on the national stage, gaining valuable experience they can transfer to the workplace. It’s great to see students like Connor honing their craft and representing both TAFE NSW and their industry at such a high level. Connor’s success is a credit to both his talent and drive,” Mr De Winter said.
Baking Association Australia Executive Officer, Tony Smith said: “This was a great achievement by both apprentices who joined the Australian team on the back of their 2024 Excellence in Baking wins. We offer this to all future apprentice winners of the Excellence in Baking which allows them to be put on the international stage.”
Connor was selected for Team Australia after winning gold at the WorldSkills Australia 2025 National Championships and taking out the Apprentice Baker of the Year Award at the Baking Association of Australia’s 2024 Excellence in Baking National Competition. The ANZBake competition is hosted every year by the Baking Association of Australia and was recently held from 15-17 July at the Baking Industry Trade Show.
Media contact: Emma Hughes, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000.
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